Robert Ito (born July 2, 1931) is a Canadian

actor An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), li ...

Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...

ese ancestry. He is known for his television and film work, including the roles of Sam Fujiyama on the 1976–83 NBC series ''

Quincy, M.E. ''Quincy, M.E.'' (also called ''Quincy'') is an American mystery medical drama television series from Universal Studios that aired on NBC from October 3, 1976, to May 11, 1983. Jack Klugman starred in the title role as a Los Angeles County med ...

'' and Larry Mishima on the 1980s CBS primetime soap opera ''

Falcon Crest ''Falcon Crest'' is an American prime time television soap opera that aired for nine seasons on CBS from December 4, 1981, to May 17, 1990. The series revolves around the feuding factions of the wealthy Gioberti/Channing family in the California ...

'', and a variety of voice acting for animation. He was nominated for a Gemini Award for his performance in the 1994 film ''

Trial at Fortitude Bay ''Trial at Fortitude Bay'' is a Television film, TV film released in 1994 and directed by Vic Sarin, Victor Sarin. It stars Henry Czerny, Raoul Trujillo, and Lolita Davidovich. Davidovitch plays Giana Antonelli, an attorney assigned to defend an ...

''.

Career

Ito was a dancer with the

National Ballet of Canada The National Ballet of Canada is a Canadian ballet company that was founded in 1951 in Toronto, Ontario, with Celia Franca as the first artistic director. A company of 70 dancers with its own orchestra, the National Ballet has been led since 2022 ...

before coming to Broadway and dancing in such shows as "Flower Drum Song"(1960-1961). He turned to acting in the mid-1960s, which led to a number of roles playing Asian or Asian-ancestry characters in American productions. He appeared three times (as different characters) in the 1970s TV series ''

Kung Fu Chinese martial arts, often called by the umbrella terms kung fu (; ), kuoshu () or wushu (), are multiple fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in Greater China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common ...

''; first as a Chinese rail worker in the two-hour movie that launched the series, later as a Chinese bandit named Captain Lee in the episode "The Way of Violence Has No Mind" and another time as a Japanese Ninja in the episode entitled "The Assassin". He likewise portrayed two different Korean characters in episodes of the TV series ''

M*A*S*H ''M*A*S*H'' (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) is an American media franchise consisting of a series of novels, a film, several television series, plays, and other properties, and based on the semi-autobiographical fiction of Richard Hooker. Th ...

'', in 1972 and 1976. Ito acted in the

1976 Events January * January 3 – The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights enters into force. * January 5 – The Pol Pot regime proclaims a new constitution for Democratic Kampuchea. * January 11 – The 1976 Phila ...

film '' Midway'' as

Minoru Genda was a Japanese military aviator and politician. He is best known for helping to plan the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was also the third Chief of Staff of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Early life Minoru Genda was the second son of a farme ...

, the leader of the 1942 attack on

Midway Island Midway Atoll (colloquial: Midway Islands; haw, Kauihelani, translation=the backbone of heaven; haw, Pihemanu, translation=the loud din of birds, label=none) is a atoll in the North Pacific Ocean. Midway Atoll is an insular area of the Unit ...

. In 1976, he was cast as forensic lab technician Sam Fujiyama, a regular supporting role he played for seven years on ''

'' His other film credits include ''

The Terminal Man ''The Terminal Man'' is a novel by American writer Michael Crichton. It is his second novel under his own name and his twelfth overall, and is about the dangers of mind control. It was published in April 1972, and also serialized in ''Playboy' ...

'' (1974), '' Rollerball'' (1975), '' Peeper'' (1976), '' Special Delivery'' (1976), '' Black Sunday'' (1977), '' SST: Death Flight'' (1977), ''

The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension ''The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension'', often shortened to ''Buckaroo Banzai'', is a 1984 American science fiction film produced and directed by W. D. Richter and written by Earl Mac Rauch. It stars Peter Weller in the ti ...

'' (1984), ''

Pray for Death ''Pray for Death'' is a 1985 American martial arts action film directed by Gordon Hessler and starring Sho Kosugi, James Booth, Norman Burton, Michael Constantine, and, the lead's sons Kane and Shane Kosugi. The plot follows a retired ninja war ...

'' (1985), ''

Aloha Summer ''Aloha Summer'' is a 1988 American comedy-drama film directed by Tommy Lee Wallace and starring Chris Makepeace, Yuji Okumoto, Tia Carrere and Don Michael Paul. The plot is about a group of teenagers and their experiences one summer in Hawaii. ...

'' (1988) and '' The Vineyard'' (1989). Ito guest-starred on the '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'' episode "

Coming of Age Coming of age is a young person's transition from being a child to being an adult. The specific age at which this transition takes place varies between societies, as does the nature of the change. It can be a simple legal convention or can b ...

" as TAC officer Lt. Chang and on '' Star Trek: Voyager'' as John Kim ( Harry Kim's father). Voice roles include such programs and films as ''

The King of Queens ''The King of Queens'' is an American television sitcom that ran on CBS from September 21, 1998, to May 14, 2007, a total of nine seasons and 207 episodes. The series was created by Michael J. Weithorn and David Litt, who also served as the show ...

'', ''

Avatar: The Last Airbender ''Avatar: The Last Airbender'' (abbreviated as ''ATLA''), also known as ''Avatar: The Legend of Aang'' in some regions or simply ''Avatar'', is an American anime-influenced animated television series created by Michael Dante DiMartino and ...

'', ''

Captain Planet and the Planeteers ''Captain Planet and the Planeteers'' is an American animated environmentalist superhero television series created by Barbara Pyle and Ted Turner and developed by Pyle, Nicholas Boxer, Thom Beers, Andy Heyward, Robby London, Bob Forward and Ca ...

'', ''

Animaniacs ''Animaniacs'' is an American animated comedy musical television series created by Tom Ruegger for Fox Broadcasting Company's Fox Kids block in 1993, before moving to The WB in 1995, as part of its Kids' WB afternoon programming block, unti ...

'', '' Bonkers'', '' Batman: The Animated Series'', ''

Jackie Chan Adventures ''Jackie Chan Adventures'' is an American animated television series, created by John Rogers, Duane Capizzi and Jeff Kline, and produced by Sony Pictures Television (originally as Columbia TriStar Television for the first three seasons). The ca ...

'', ''

Fantastic Max ''Fantastic Max'' is an animated cartoon series, originally aired from 1988 to 1990 created by Hanna-Barbera Productions, Kalisto Ltd., Booker PLC and Tanaka Promotion Co. and in association with S4C. It centers on a boy named Maxwell "Fantastic ...

'', '' Superman: The Animated Series'', '' SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron'', ''

My Little Pony and Friends ''My Little Pony'' is a 1986–1987 American cartoon series, animated television series produced by Sunbow Entertainment, Sunbow Productions and Marvel Productions and animated by Toei Animation and AKOM based on the My Little Pony toys released ...

'', ''

Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego? ''Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?'' is an American animated television series based on the series of computer games. The show was produced by DIC Productions L.P. and originally aired from 1994 to 1999, on Saturday mornings during FOX's Fox ...

'', ''

Biker Mice from Mars ''Biker Mice from Mars'' is an American science fiction action animated series created by Rick Ungar. The series premiered in syndication the week of September 19, 1993. It consists of three seasons of 65 episodes, with the final episode airin ...

'', ''

Quack Pack ''Quack Pack'' is an American animated sitcom produced by Walt Disney Television Animation, featuring Donald Duck and his nephews. The show debuted on September 3, 1996, as a part of the " Disney Afternoon" programming block, following the succe ...

'', ''

Capitol Critters ''Capitol Critters'' is an American animated sitcom about the lives of mice, rats and roaches who reside in the basement and walls of the White House in Washington, D.C. The series was produced by Steven Bochco Productions and Hanna-Barbera in ...

'', '' ProStars'', ''

Justice League The Justice League (also known as The Justice League of America) are a team of superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The team first appeared in ''The Brave and the Bold'' #28 (March 1960). The team was conceived ...

'', ''

Darkwing Duck ''Darkwing Duck'' is an American animated superhero comedy television series produced by Disney Television Animation (formerly Walt Disney Television Animation) that first ran from 1991 to 1992 on both the syndicated programming block ''The Disn ...

'', ''

Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers may refer to: * ''Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers'' (TV series), 1989 television series * ''Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers'' (film), 2022 film * ''Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers'' (video game), 1990 game based on the TV series ...

'', ''

Iron Man Iron Man is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer and editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby. The charact ...

'', ''

The Karate Kid ''The Karate Kid'' is a 1984 American martial arts drama film written by Robert Mark Kamen and directed by John G. Avildsen. It is the first installment in the ''Karate Kid'' franchise, and stars Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elisabeth Shue an ...

'', ''

A Pup Named Scooby-Doo ''A Pup Named Scooby-Doo'' is an American animated mystery comedy series produced by Hanna-Barbera. It is the eighth incarnation of the studio's ''Scooby-Doo'' franchise and depicts younger versions of the title character and his human companions ...

'', '' Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures'', ''

Rambo and the Forces of Freedom ''Rambo: The Force of Freedom'' (also known simply as ''Rambo'') is a 1986 American animated series based on the character of John Rambo from David Morrell's book ''First Blood (novel), First Blood'' and the subsequent films ''First Blood'' (1982) ...

'', ''

The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan ''The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''The Amazing Chan Clan'') is an American animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions, animated by Eric Porter Studios in Australia and broadcast on CBS from S ...

'', ''

Savage Dragon The Savage Dragon is a fictional superhero created by Erik Larsen, published by Image Comics and taking place in the Image Universe. The comic features the adventures of a superheroic police officer named the Dragon. The character first appeared ...

'', ''

TaleSpin ''TaleSpin'' is an American animated television series first aired in 1990 as a preview on Disney Channel and later that year as part of '' The Disney Afternoon''. It features characters adapted from Disney's 1967 animated feature ''The Jungle Bo ...

'', '' Chuck Norris: Karate Kommandos'', ''

The Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...

'', '' All Grown Up!'', '' The Mummy: The Animated Series'', '' Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo'', ''The Woody Woodpecker Show'' (the 1999 version), ''

The Wild Thornberrys ''The Wild Thornberrys'' is an American animated television series created by Arlene Klasky, Gábor Csupó, Steve Pepoon, David Silverman, and Stephen Sustarsic for Nickelodeon. The series portrays an American family of wildlife documentary ...

'', ''

Jonny Quest vs. The Cyber Insects ''Jonny Quest versus The Cyber Insects'' (also known as ''Jonny's Global Impact'') is an animation, animated television film, made-for-television film made by Hanna-Barbera. It premiered on November 19, 1995 on TNT (American TV network), TNT, and ...

'', and '' Gargoyles''.

Selected filmography

Television

*''

Get Smart ''Get Smart'' is an American comedy television series parodying the secret agent genre that had become widely popular in the first half of the 1960s, with the release of the ''James Bond'' films. It was created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, an ...

'' (1965) (as Number 3 in ''The Amazing Harry Hoo'' – uncredited) *''

Women of the Prehistoric Planet ''Women of the Prehistoric Planet'' is a 1966 independently made American science fiction/action film directed by Arthur C. Pierce, with Wendell Corey receiving the top billing among the cast. Plot A spacefaring crew from an advanced civiliz ...

'' (1966) as Tang *'' Dimension 5'' (1966) as Sato *'' It Takes a Thief'' (1968 American T.V. series, season 1, episode 9) as Chief Aide *''

Some Kind of a Nut ''Some Kind of a Nut'' is a 1969 American comedy film written and directed by Garson Kanin and starring Dick Van Dyke, Angie Dickinson and Rosemary Forsyth. This was the final film of Dennis King. Plot Fred Amidon is a New York City bank tell ...

'' (1969) as George Toyota *'' Mannix'' (1970) season 4, episode 5, as Dr. Yoshira *''

'' (1972) Movie Pilot as Fong *'' Mannix'' (1973) season 6, episode 20, as Dr. Sato *''

'' (1973) season 2, episode 17, "The Assassin" as Blacksmith/Ninja *''

Soylent Green ''Soylent Green'' is a 1973 American ecological dystopian thriller film directed by Richard Fleischer, and starring Charlton Heston, Leigh Taylor-Young, and Edward G. Robinson in his final film role. It is loosely based on the 1966 science fict ...

'' (1973) as Shoe Seller (uncredited) *''

The Naked Ape ''The Naked Ape: A Zoologist's Study of the Human Animal'' is a 1967 book by English Zoology, zoologist and ethology, ethologist Desmond Morris that looks at humans as a species and compares them to other animals. ''The Human Zoo (book), The Hu ...

'' (1973) as Samurai Warrior *''

'' (1974) season 2, episode 30, as Captain Lee *''

'' (1974) as Anesthetist *''

Airport 1975 ''Airport 1975'' (also known as ''Airport '75'') is a 1974 American air disaster film and the first sequel to the successful 1970 film ''Airport''. It was directed by Jack Smight, produced by William Frye, executive produced by Jennings Lang, a ...

'' (1974) as Passenger (uncredited) *'' Rollerball'' (1975) as Strategy Coach for Houston Team *'' Peeper'' (1976) as Butler *'' Midway'' (1976) as Cmdr.

*'' Special Delivery'' (1976) as Mr. Chu *'' SST: Death Flight'' (1977) as Flight Engineer Roy Nakamura *'' Black Sunday'' (1977) as Japanese Man (uncredited) *''

Gray Lady Down ''Gray Lady Down'' is a 1978 American submarine disaster film directed by David Greene and starring Charlton Heston, David Carradine, Stacy Keach, Ned Beatty, Ronny Cox and Rosemary Forsyth, and includes the feature film debut of Christophe ...

'' (1978) as Seaman at base (uncredited) *''

'' (1984) as Professor Hikita *''

'' (1985) as Koga *''

P.I. Private Investigations ''P.I. Private Investigations'' (also known as ''Private Investigations'') is a 1987 crime-thriller film directed by Nigel Dick and starring Clayton Rohner, Ray Sharkey and Paul Le Mat. Premise A young architect finds himself being stalked by ...

'' (1987) as Kim *''

'' (1988) as Ted Tanaka *'' The Vineyard'' (1989) as Auctioneer *''

Crazy People ''Crazy People'' is a 1990 American black comedy film starring Dudley Moore and Daryl Hannah, directed by Tony Bill, and music by Cliff Eidelman. Plot Emory Leeson is an advertising executive who experiences a nervous breakdown. He designs a s ...

'' (1990) as Yamashita's Aide *''The War Between Us'' (1995) as Mr. Kawashima *''

Hollow Point upright=0.2, Cross-section of a hollow-point bullet; proportions are those of a .22 Long Rifle cartridge Jacketed soft point (JSP) round. Right: Jacketed hollow-point (JHP) round. JSP is a semi-jacketed round as the jacket does not extend to ...

'' (1996) as Shin Chan *''

The Omega Code ''The Omega Code'' is a 1999 apocalyptic thriller film directed by Rob Marcarelli, written by Stephen Blinn and Hollis Barton, and starring Casper Van Dien, Michael York, Catherine Oxenberg and Michael Ironside. The premillennialist plot revolve ...

'' (1999) as Shimoro Lin Che *'' Lima: Breaking the Silence'' (1999) as President Fujimoro

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Ito, Robert 1931 births Canadian expatriates in the United States Canadian male actors of Japanese descent Japanese-Canadian internees Canadian male film actors Canadian male television actors Canadian male voice actors Living people Male actors from Vancouver 20th-century Canadian male actors 21st-century Canadian male actors