Rodney Kageyama

Film and television He acted on many films, notably The Karate Kid Part II, The Next Karate Kid, Gung Ho (and its subsequent television spin-off), and Showdown in Little Tokyo. He was also featured in the Golden Dreams film exhibit which opened the Disney California Adventure Park theme park. He appeared in many television shows including Quantum Leap and Home Improvement. Kageyama has subsequently costume designed and served as a crew member on different short films directed by Tashima, including the Academy Award-winning Visas and Virtue (1997). He was a docent at the Japanese American National Museum, where he did story telling for visiting children. He was also an animal advocate and helped place dogs in homes.

In 2007, Kageyama was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He underwent chemotherapy and as of spring 2008 was declared cancer-free. He had numerous other health issues including dealing with complications from HIV for decades before his death. He had both hips replaced and walked with a cane. In his last years, he was on dialysis due to a kidney illness.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1982 Best Friends Meter Reader 1985 Teen Wolf Janitor 1986 Gung Ho Ito 1988 Vibes Dr. Harmon 1988 Lucky Stiff Tailor 1989 Let It Ride Patron in Chinese Restaurant 1990 Pretty Woman Japanese Businessman 1991 Showdown in Little Tokyo Eddie 1994 The Next Karate Kid Monk 1999 Godzilla 2000 Voice2000 Stanley's Gig Jeff Fujisaki 2014 The Three Dogateers Mr. Hiroshi