Home> Facts and Trivia > Stars > James Shigeta
James Shigeta Facts
| Sign | Gemini |
| Born |
Jun 17, 1929 Hawaii, USA |
| Died |
Jul 28, 2014 Los Angeles, CA |
| Age | Died at 85 |
| Total Facts | 6 |
Chosen by Goldsea Asian American Daily as one of the "100 Most Inspiring Asian Americans of All Time".
Discovered as a singer by TV's "Ted Mack's Amateur Hour" where he won first place and an annual scholarship prize. This led to Vegas and nightclub appearances. Pat Boone and Ann-Margret are other celebrities who benefited from Ted Mack's popular show.
On April 18, 2005, he was awarded a Visionary Award from East West Players, the nation's premier Asian American theatre organization.
One of six children born to a Honolulu contractor, he was educated at New York University where he majored in English.
Speaks fluent Japanese, French and Italian.
The first Asian-American to crack the old Hollywood studio star system, albeit briefly, groomed as a romantic leading man.