Miyoshi Umeki
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was a Japanese-American singer and actress.Bernstein, Adam

''
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''. 5 September 2007.
Umeki was a
Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual cer ...
- and
Golden Globe The Golden Globe Awards are accolades bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association beginning in January 1944, recognizing excellence in both American and international film and television. Beginning in 2022, there are 105 members of t ...
-nominated actress and the first East Asian-American woman to win an
Academy Award The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...
for acting.


Life

Born in
Otaru is a city and port in Shiribeshi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan, northwest of Sapporo. The city faces Ishikari Bay and the Sea of Japan, and has long served as the main port of the bay. With its many historical buildings, Otaru is a popular to ...
, Hokkaido, she was the youngest of nine children. Her father owned an iron factory. After World War II, Umeki began her career as a nightclub singer in Japan, using the name Nancy Umeki. Her early influences were traditional
kabuki is a classical form of Japanese dance-drama. Kabuki theatre is known for its heavily-stylised performances, the often-glamorous costumes worn by performers, and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers. Kabuki is thought to ...
theater and American pop music. Later, in one of her appearances on ''
The Merv Griffin Show ''The Merv Griffin Show'' is an American television talk show starring Merv Griffin. The series ran from October 1, 1962 to March 29, 1963 on NBC, May 10, 1965 to July 4, 1969 in first-run syndication, from August 18, 1969 to February 11, 1972 a ...
'', she treated viewers to her impression of singer
Billy Eckstine William Clarence Eckstine (July 8, 1914 – March 8, 1993) was an American jazz and pop singer and a bandleader during the swing and bebop eras. He was noted for his rich, almost operatic bass-baritone voice. In 2019, Eckstine was posthumously ...
, one of her American favorites growing up.


Career

She was best known for her
Oscar Oscar, OSCAR, or The Oscar may refer to: People * Oscar (given name), an Irish- and English-language name also used in other languages; the article includes the names Oskar, Oskari, Oszkár, Óscar, and other forms. * Oscar (Irish mythology) ...
-winning role as Katsumi in the film ''
Sayonara ''Sayonara'' is a 1957 American Technicolor drama film starring Marlon Brando in Technirama. It tells the story of an American Air Force fighter pilot during the Korean War who falls in love with a famous Japanese dancer. The picture won four Ac ...
'' (1957), as well as
Mei Li ''Mei Li'' (also called ''Mei Li's Chinese New Year'') is a book by Thomas Handforth. Released by Doubleday (publisher), Doubleday, it was the second recipient of the Caldecott Medal for illustration in 1939.American Library AssociationCaldecott ...
in the Broadway musical and 1961 film ''
Flower Drum Song ''Flower Drum Song'' was the eighth musical by the team of Rodgers and Hammerstein. It is based on the 1957 novel, ''The Flower Drum Song'', by Chinese-American author C. Y. Lee. It premiered on Broadway in 1958 and was then performed in the ...
'', and Mrs. Livingston in the television series ''
The Courtship of Eddie's Father ''The Courtship of Eddie's Father'' is an American sitcom based on the 1963 film of the same name, which was based on a novel by Mark Toby (edited by Dorothy Wilson). The series is about a widower, Tom Corbett (played by Bill Bixby), who is a ...
''. She was a shin Issei, or post-1945 immigrant from Japan. She recorded for RCA Victor Japan from 1950 to 1954 and appeared in the film ''Seishun Jazu Musume''. She recorded mostly American jazz standards, which she sang partially in Japanese and partially in English, or solely in either language. Some of the songs she sang during this period were "
It Isn't Fair "It Isn't Fair" is a popular song written by Richard Himber, Frank Warshauer, and Sylvester Sprigato and published in 1933. Isham Jones and His Orchestra (vocal by Rita Smith) had a hit with it the same year. 1950 revival The song enjoyed a rev ...
", "
Sentimental Me "Sentimental Me" is a popular song which was written by James T. Morehead and James Cassin and published in 1949. The most popular version was recorded by The Ames Brothers. Other hit versions in 1950 were recorded by the Russ Morgan Orchestra and ...
", " My Foolish Heart", " With A Song In My Heart", "
Again Again may refer to: Entertainment * ''Again'' (video game), a 2009 adventure game for the Nintendo DS * '' Again!!'' manga * ''Again!'', a 2011 children's book by Emily Gravett * ''Again'' (film), a 2015 Japanese film Music * Again (band), a ...
", " Vaya con Dios", "
(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window? "(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?" is a popular novelty song. It was written by Bob Merrill and first registered on September 25, 1952, as "The Doggie in the Window". On January 27, 1953, its sheet music was published in New York as "( ...
" and "
I'll Walk Alone "I'll Walk Alone" is a 1944 popular song with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Sammy Cahn. The song was written for the 1944 musical film '' Follow the Boys'', in which it was sung by Dinah Shore, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best ...
". She moved to the United States in 1955 and after appearing on the '' Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts'' (she was a series regular for one season), she signed with the
Mercury Records Mercury Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group. It had significant success as an independent operation in the 1940s and 1950s. Smash Records and Fontana Records were sub labels of Mercury. In the United States, it is ...
label and released several singles and two albums. Her appearances on the Godfrey program brought her to the attention of director
Joshua Logan Joshua Lockwood Logan III (October 5, 1908 – July 12, 1988) was an American director, writer, and actor. He shared a Pulitzer Prize for co-writing the musical '' South Pacific'' and was involved in writing other musicals. Early years Logan ...
, who cast her in ''
Sayonara ''Sayonara'' is a 1957 American Technicolor drama film starring Marlon Brando in Technirama. It tells the story of an American Air Force fighter pilot during the Korean War who falls in love with a famous Japanese dancer. The picture won four Ac ...
''. Umeki won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in ''Sayonara''. She was the first Asian performer to win an Academy Award for acting. In 1958, she appeared twice on the variety show ''The Gisele MacKenzie Show'' in which she performed "
How Deep Is the Ocean How may refer to: * How (greeting), a word used in some misrepresentations of Native American/First Nations speech * How, an interrogative word in English grammar Art and entertainment Literature * ''How'' (book), a 2007 book by Dov Seidma ...
". In 1958, she was nominated for a
Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical The Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical is awarded to the best actress in a Musical theatre, musical, whether a new production or a revival. The award has been given since 1948, but the nominees who did not win have o ...
for her performance in the Broadway premiere production of the musical ''
Flower Drum Song ''Flower Drum Song'' was the eighth musical by the team of Rodgers and Hammerstein. It is based on the 1957 novel, ''The Flower Drum Song'', by Chinese-American author C. Y. Lee. It premiered on Broadway in 1958 and was then performed in the ...
'', where she played Mei-Li. The show ran for two years. A cover story in ''Time'' stated "the warmth of her art works a kind of tranquil magic". Umeki appeared in the film adaptation of the musical. She was nominated for a
Golden Globe Award The Golden Globe Awards are accolades bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association beginning in January 1944, recognizing excellence in both American and international film and television. Beginning in 2022, there are 105 members of t ...
for ''Flower Drum Song''. Although a guest on many television variety shows, she appeared in only four more movies through 1962, including the film version of ''
Flower Drum Song ''Flower Drum Song'' was the eighth musical by the team of Rodgers and Hammerstein. It is based on the 1957 novel, ''The Flower Drum Song'', by Chinese-American author C. Y. Lee. It premiered on Broadway in 1958 and was then performed in the ...
'' (1961). The others were ''
Cry for Happy ''Cry for Happy'' is a 1961 American CinemaScope comedy film directed by George Marshall and starring Glenn Ford and Donald O'Connor. It is a service comedy set in Japan and largely filmed there. The title song is sung during the opening credits ...
'' (1961), ''
The Horizontal Lieutenant ''The Horizontal Lieutenant'' is a 1962 American romantic comedy war film, based on the 1961 novel ''The Bottletop Affair'' by Gordon Cotler who was a Japanese interpreter for US Army Intelligence during World War II. It is a military comedy abou ...
'' (1962) and ''
A Girl Named Tamiko ''A Girl Named Tamiko'' is a 1962 romantic drama film directed by John Sturges and starring Laurence Harvey and France Nuyen, with Martha Hyer, Gary Merrill, Michael Wilding, and Miyoshi Umeki. It is based on the novel of the same name by Ronald K ...
'' (1963). From 1969 to 1972, she appeared in ''
The Courtship of Eddie's Father ''The Courtship of Eddie's Father'' is an American sitcom based on the 1963 film of the same name, which was based on a novel by Mark Toby (edited by Dorothy Wilson). The series is about a widower, Tom Corbett (played by Bill Bixby), who is a ...
'' as Mrs. Livingston, the housekeeper, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. She retired from acting following the end of the series.


Personal life and death

Her first marriage, to television director Frederick Winfield "Wynn" Opie in 1958, ended in divorce in 1967. The couple had one son—Michael H. Opie, born in 1964. She married Randall Hood in 1968, who adopted her son, changing his name to Michael Randall Hood. The couple operated a Los Angeles–based business renting editing equipment to film studios and university film programs. Randall Hood died in 1976. According to her son, Umeki lived in Sherman Oaks for a number of years, then moved to
Licking, Missouri Licking is a city located in Texas County, Missouri, United States. The population was 3,124 at the 2010 census, making it the most populous city in Texas County. Geography Licking is located in north central Texas County in the Ozarks of southe ...
to be near her son and his family, which included three grandchildren. She died August 28, 2007, at the age of 78, from cancer.


Discography


RCA Victor Japan (1950–1954)

During her recording career in Japan, Miyoshi recorded the following songs: * " Sleepy My Love" (1950) * "Under the Moonlight" (1950) * "Don't Say That Person's Name" (1950) * "Evening Whisper" (1950) * "I Feel Like Crying" (1950) * "
I'm Waiting for You ''I'm Waiting for You'' (german: Ich warte auf dich) is a 1952 West German drama film directed by Volker von Collande and starring Hanna Rucker, Joachim Brennecke and Anne-Marie Blanc.Parish p.244 It was shot at Göttingen Studios and on locatio ...
" (1950) * "One Night of Sorrow" (1951) * "Misery" (1951) * "
It Isn't Fair "It Isn't Fair" is a popular song written by Richard Himber, Frank Warshauer, and Sylvester Sprigato and published in 1933. Isham Jones and His Orchestra (vocal by Rita Smith) had a hit with it the same year. 1950 revival The song enjoyed a rev ...
" (1951) * "
Sentimental Me "Sentimental Me" is a popular song which was written by James T. Morehead and James Cassin and published in 1949. The most popular version was recorded by The Ames Brothers. Other hit versions in 1950 were recorded by the Russ Morgan Orchestra and ...
" (1951) * " My Foolish Heart" (1953) * "
Why Don't You Believe Me? "Why Don't You Believe Me?" is a popular song written by Lew Douglas, King Laney, and Roy Rodde and published in 1952. A recording by Joni James ( MGM Records catalog number 11333) reached No. 1 on the '' Billboard'' charts for four weeks in ...
" (live) (1953) * "
Again Again may refer to: Entertainment * ''Again'' (video game), a 2009 adventure game for the Nintendo DS * '' Again!!'' manga * ''Again!'', a 2011 children's book by Emily Gravett * ''Again'' (film), a 2015 Japanese film Music * Again (band), a ...
" (1953) * "
Manhattan Moon ''Manhattan Moon'' is an American romantic comedy directed by Stuart Walker, and stars Ricardo Cortez and Dorothy Page. It was released on August 5, 1935. Plot Cast * Ricardo Cortez as Dan Moore * Dorothy Page as Yvonne/Doris * Henry Mo ...
" (1953) * " With A Song In My Heart" (1953) * "
I'll Walk Alone "I'll Walk Alone" is a 1944 popular song with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Sammy Cahn. The song was written for the 1944 musical film '' Follow the Boys'', in which it was sung by Dinah Shore, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best ...
" (1953) * "My Baby's Coming Home" (1953) * "
Silent Night "Silent Night" (german: "Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht", links=no, italic=no) is a popular Christmas carol, composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr in the small town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria. It was declared an ...
" (1953) * "
I'm Walking Behind You "I'm Walking Behind You" is a popular song which was written by Billy Reid and published in 1953. The recording by American singer Eddie Fisher was a No. 1 hit in both the US and UK Singles charts, but it had previously been recorded by Reid's f ...
" (1953) * "
(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window? "(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?" is a popular novelty song. It was written by Bob Merrill and first registered on September 25, 1952, as "The Doggie in the Window". On January 27, 1953, its sheet music was published in New York as "( ...
" (1953) * "Sayonara (The Japanese Farewell Song)" (1953) * "My Ichiban Tomodachi" (1953) * " Vaya con Dios" (1954) * "Kiss Me Again Stranger" (1954) * "My Ichiban Tomodachi" (live) (1954) * "Sayonara (The Japanese Farewell Song)" (live) (1954) Two other Japanese language songs were recorded in 1952.


Singles on Mercury Records (1955–1959)

She signed with Mercury Records in 1955 and recorded the following 45 rpm singles: * "
How Deep Is the Ocean How may refer to: * How (greeting), a word used in some misrepresentations of Native American/First Nations speech * How, an interrogative word in English grammar Art and entertainment Literature * ''How'' (book), a 2007 book by Dov Seidma ...
/Why Talk" (1955) * "The Little Lost Dog/The Story You're About to Hear Is True" (1956) * "The Mountain Beyond the Moon/Oh What Good Company We Could Be" (with
Red Buttons Red Buttons (born Aaron Chwatt; February 5, 1919 – July 13, 2006) was an American actor and comedian. He won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for his supporting role in the 1957 film ''Sayonara''. He was nominated for awards for his acting work i ...
) (1957) * "Sayonara (The Japanese Farewell Song)/Be Sweet Tonight" (1957) * "Sayonara/On and On" (1957) Miyoshi recorded a version of "
Pick Yourself Up "Pick Yourself Up" is a popular song composed in 1936 by Jerome Kern, with lyrics by Dorothy Fields. It has a verse and chorus, as well as a third section, though the third section is often omitted in recordings. Like most popular songs of the ...
" for Mercury Records in 1959, but the song was never released.


Albums on Mercury Records

''Miyoshi Sings For
Arthur Godfrey Arthur Morton Godfrey (August 31, 1903 – March 16, 1983) was an American radio and television broadcaster and entertainer who was sometimes introduced by his nickname The Old Redhead. At the peak of his success, in the early-to-mid 1950s, Godf ...
'' (MG-20165) (1956)
Tracks: * "
If I Give My Heart to You "If I Give My Heart to You" is a popular song written by Jimmy Brewster (Milt Gabler), Jimmie Crane, and Al Jacobs. The most popular versions of the song were recorded by Doris Day and by Denise Lor; both charted in 1954. The recording by Do ...
" * "China Nights (支那 の夜 Shina no yoru)" * "
I'm in the Mood for Love "I'm in the Mood for Love" is a popular music, popular song published in 1935 in music, 1935. The music was written by Jimmy McHugh, with the lyrics by Dorothy Fields. The song was introduced by Frances Langford in the movie ''Every Night at Eigh ...
" * "My Baby's Coming Home" * " How Deep Is the Ocean?" * "Slowly Go Out of Your Mind" * "
Teach Me Tonight Teach Me Tonight is a popular song that has become a jazz standard. The music was written by Gene De Paul, the lyrics by Sammy Cahn. The song was published in 1953. Early recordings Five versions charted in 1954 and 1955: *Janet Brace was appa ...
" * "Hanna Ko San" * " Can't Help Loving That Man" * " 'S Wonderful" * " Over the Rainbow" * "Sayonara (The Japanese Farewell Song)" ''Miyoshi'' (album) (MG-20568) (1959)
Tracks: * "
My Heart Stood Still "My Heart Stood Still" is a 1927 popular song composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Lorenz Hart. It was written for the Charles Cochran revue ''One Dam' Thing after Another'', which opened at the London Pavilion on May 19, 1927. The sho ...
" * "
My Ship "My Ship" is a popular song written for the 1941 Broadway musical '' Lady in the Dark'', with music by Kurt Weill and lyrics by Ira Gershwin. The music is marked "Andante espressivo"; Gershwin describes it as "orchestrated by Kurt to sound sweet ...
" * "
You Make Me Feel So Young "You Make Me Feel So Young" is a 1946 popular music, popular song composed by Josef Myrow, with lyrics written by Mack Gordon. It was introduced in the 1946 musical film ''Three Little Girls in Blue'', where it was sung by the characters performed ...
" * "
They Can't Take That Away from Me "They Can't Take That Away from Me" is a 1937 popular song with music by George Gershwin and lyrics by Ira Gershwin. It was introduced by Fred Astaire in the 1937 film ''Shall We Dance'' and gained huge success. Overview The song is performed b ...
" * "
Sometimes I'm Happy "Sometimes I'm Happy" is a popular song. The music was written by Vincent Youmans, the lyrics by Irving Caesar. The song was originally published in 1923 under the title "Come On And Pet Me," with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and William Cary ...
" * "
I'm Old Fashioned "I'm Old Fashioned" is a 1942 song composed by Jerome Kern, with lyrics written by Johnny Mercer. It was written for the film ''You Were Never Lovelier'' (1942), where it was introduced by Nan Wynn who dubbed for Rita Hayworth as part of a song ...
" * " That Old Feeling" * "
Gone with the Wind Gone with the Wind most often refers to: * ''Gone with the Wind'' (novel), a 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell * ''Gone with the Wind'' (film), the 1939 adaptation of the novel Gone with the Wind may also refer to: Music * ''Gone with the Wind'' ...
" * " Jeepers Creepers" * "Wonder Why" * "
I Could Write a Book "I Could Write a Book" is a show tune from the 1940 Rodgers and Hart musical '' Pal Joey'', where it was introduced by Gene Kelly and Leila Ernst. It is considered a standard. Critical reception An uncredited critic reviewing "New Plays in Manh ...
" ''Miyoshi – Singing Star of Rodgers and Hammerstein's
Flower Drum Song ''Flower Drum Song'' was the eighth musical by the team of Rodgers and Hammerstein. It is based on the 1957 novel, ''The Flower Drum Song'', by Chinese-American author C. Y. Lee. It premiered on Broadway in 1958 and was then performed in the ...
'' (MGW-12148) (1958) (reissue of the
Arthur Godfrey Arthur Morton Godfrey (August 31, 1903 – March 16, 1983) was an American radio and television broadcaster and entertainer who was sometimes introduced by his nickname The Old Redhead. At the peak of his success, in the early-to-mid 1950s, Godf ...
album with some tracks replaced)
Tracks: * "
Sayonara ''Sayonara'' is a 1957 American Technicolor drama film starring Marlon Brando in Technirama. It tells the story of an American Air Force fighter pilot during the Korean War who falls in love with a famous Japanese dancer. The picture won four Ac ...
" * "
If I Give My Heart to You "If I Give My Heart to You" is a popular song written by Jimmy Brewster (Milt Gabler), Jimmie Crane, and Al Jacobs. The most popular versions of the song were recorded by Doris Day and by Denise Lor; both charted in 1954. The recording by Do ...
" * "China Nights (支那 の夜 Shina no yoru)" * "
I'm in the Mood for Love "I'm in the Mood for Love" is a popular music, popular song published in 1935 in music, 1935. The music was written by Jimmy McHugh, with the lyrics by Dorothy Fields. The song was introduced by Frances Langford in the movie ''Every Night at Eigh ...
" * "My Baby's Coming Home" * " How Deep Is the Ocean?" * "Slowly Go Out of Your Mind" * "
Teach Me Tonight Teach Me Tonight is a popular song that has become a jazz standard. The music was written by Gene De Paul, the lyrics by Sammy Cahn. The song was published in 1953. Early recordings Five versions charted in 1954 and 1955: *Janet Brace was appa ...
" * "Hanna Ko San" * " Can't Help Loving That Man" * " Over the Rainbow" * "The Little Lost Dog"


Film themes

Miyoshi Umeki recorded two theme songs for films in which she appeared: * "Sayonara" for ''
Sayonara ''Sayonara'' is a 1957 American Technicolor drama film starring Marlon Brando in Technirama. It tells the story of an American Air Force fighter pilot during the Korean War who falls in love with a famous Japanese dancer. The picture won four Ac ...
'' (1957) * "Cry for Happy" for ''
Cry for Happy ''Cry for Happy'' is a 1961 American CinemaScope comedy film directed by George Marshall and starring Glenn Ford and Donald O'Connor. It is a service comedy set in Japan and largely filmed there. The title song is sung during the opening credits ...
'' (1961)


Cast recordings

''Flower Drum Song'' (Broadway Original Cast; 1958), Sony Records
''Flower Drum Song'' (Film Soundtrack; 1961), Decca Records Tracks by Miyoshi Umeki: * "A Hundred Million Miracles" * "I Am Going to Like It Here" * "Don't Marry Me" * "Wedding Parade/A Hundred Million Miracles"


Filmography


Awards and nominations


References


External links

* *
''New York Times'' bio
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Umeki, Miyoshi 1929 births 2007 deaths American film actresses American musical theatre actresses American women pop singers American television actresses Best Supporting Actress Academy Award winners Deaths from cancer in Missouri American actresses of Japanese descent American film actors of Asian descent American women musicians of Japanese descent American singers of Asian descent Japanese women singers Japanese emigrants to the United States Japanese musical theatre actresses People from Otaru People from Texas County, Missouri Traditional pop music singers Musicians from Hokkaido 20th-century Japanese musicians 20th-century American musicians Nightclub performers 20th-century American women singers 20th-century American singers 20th-century American actresses 21st-century American women