Yuki Shimoda

Yuki Shimoda (August 10, 1921 – May 21, 1981) was an American actor best known for his starring role as Ko Wakatsuki in the NBC movie of the week Farewell to Manzanar in 1976.

Career He also co-starred in the 1960s television series Johnny Midnight (39 episodes), with Edmond O'Brien. He was a star of movies, early television, and the stage. His Broadway stage credits include Auntie Mame with Rosalind Russell (and its subsequent film adaptation), and Pacific Overtures, a musical written by Stephen Sondheim and directed by Harold Prince.

During World War II, following the signing of Executive Order 9066, Shimoda was incarcerated to the Tule Lake War Relocation Center. Following his release, he relocated to Chicago where taught Japanese at the University of Chicago and received a degree in accounting from Northwestern University. He also worked as a dancer with the Chicago Opera Company.

Shimoda died of cancer May 21, 1981, at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Broadway stage credits Teahouse of the August Moon, Martin Beck Theatre, (1953–1956), as Mr. Keora, choreographer Auntie Mame, Broadhurst Theatre, (1956–1958), as Ito Pacific Overtures, Winter Garden Theatre, (1975–1976), as Abe, First Councillor

Filmography Film Auntie Mame (1958) as Ito Don't Give Up the Ship (1959) as Japanese Colonel (uncredited) Career (1959) as Yosho All in a Night's Work (1961) as Kim (uncredited) The Pleasure of His Company (1961) as Gardner (uncredited) Man-Trap (1961) as Japanese Man (uncredited) Seven Women from Hell (1961) as Dr. Matsumo A Majority of One (1961) as Mr. Asano's Secretary The Horizontal Lieutenant (1962) as Kobayashi Once a Thief (1965) as John Ling, Chinese Funeral Director Girls Are for Loving (1973) as Ambassador Hahn Midway (1976) as Japanese Naval officer on Hiryu MacArthur (1976) as Prime Minister Shidahara Hito Hata: Raise the Banner (1980) as Takagi The Last Flight of Noah's Ark (1980) as Hiro The Octagon (1980) as Katsumo, Seikura's aide Yuki Shimoda: Asian American Actor (1985) as himself

TV movies and mini-series The Impatient Heart (TV movie) (1971) Farewell to Manzanar (TV movie) (1976) as Ko Wakatsuki And the Soul Shall Dance (TV movie) (1978) as Oka A Death in Canaan (TV movie) (1978) as Dr Samura The Immigrants (TV movie) (1978) as Feng Wo A Town Like Alice (TV mini-series) (1981) as Sgt Mifune (final film role)

TV series

Hallmark Hall of Fame Hawaiian Eye (1959–1961) as Mitho Koyoto / Mitsuki Johnny Midnight in role of Japanese manservant Uki (1960) as Aki / Lawyer Peter Gunn (1960) as Yuki Mister Ed (1961) as Sam Adventures in Paradise (1961) as Kenko Yoshimura The Tab Hunter Show (1961) as Freddy The Case of the Dangerous Robin (1961) The Blue Angels (1961) as Japanese Officer Follow the Sun (1961) as Bartender Alcoa Premiere (1962) as Ti Rong Thriller (1962) as Koto McHale's Navy (1962) as Major Simuru The Andy Griffith Show (1964) as Mr. Izamoto Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (1965) as Oriental Man The Big Valley (1965) as Po Hsien I Spy (1965–1967) as Mr. Shung / Ishikura / Koyo It Takes a Thief (1970) as Salesman Ironside (1971–1972) as Ship Captain / Major Love American Style (1973) as 2nd Japanese Man (segment "Love and the Impossible Gift") Here We Go Again (1973) as Sam The Magician (1973) as Father Fred Kung Fu (1973–1974) as Shun Low / Man / Bandit / Various Characters Police Woman (1974) as Businessman Sanford and Son (1974) as Mr. Funai Judge Dee and the Monastery Murders (1974) as Pure Faith Kojak (1976) as Assassin Baa Baa Black Sheep, episode: "Up for Grabs", (1976) as Colonel Samuchi Quincy, M.E. (1977) as Dr. Hiro The New Adventures of Wonder Woman (1977) as Takeo Ishida CHiPs (1977) as Mr. Wee Mrs. Colombo (1979) as Soong Salvage 1 (1979) as Dr. George Takata M*A*S*H (1979–1981) as Key Yong Lu / Chung Ho Kim / Cho Pak