was a Japanese-American singer and actress.
[Bernstein, Adam]
''The Washington Post
''The Washington Post'' (also known as the ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'') is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C. It is the most widely circulated newspaper within the Washington metropolitan area and has a large n ...
''. 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 c ...
- 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 ...
-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, 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 ...
theater and American pop music.
Later, in one of her appearances on ''
The Merv Griffin Show'', 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-winning role as Katsumi in the film ''
Sayonara'' (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, it was the second recipient of the Caldecott Medal for illustration
An illustration is a decoration, interpretation or visual expla ...
in the Broadway musical and 1961 film ''
Flower Drum Song'', 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", "
Sentimental Me", "
My Foolish Heart", "
With A Song In My Heart", "
Again", "
Vaya con Dios", "
(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?" and "
I'll Walk Alone". 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 ...
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 w ...
, who cast her in ''
Sayonara''. 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".
In 1958, she was nominated for a
Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her performance in the Broadway premiere production of the musical ''
Flower Drum Song'',
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 ...
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'' (1961). The others were ''
Cry for Happy'' (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 ...
'' (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 locat ...
" (1950)
* "One Night of Sorrow" (1951)
* "Misery" (1951)
* "
It Isn't Fair" (1951)
* "
Sentimental Me" (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 S ...
" (live) (1953)
* "
Again" (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 Moll ...
" (1953)
* "
With A Song In My Heart" (1953)
* "
I'll Walk Alone" (1953)
* "My Baby's Coming Home" (1953)
* "
Silent Night" (1953)
* "
I'm Walking Behind You" (1953)
* "
(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?" (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/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) (1957)
* "Sayonara (The Japanese Farewell Song)/Be Sweet Tonight" (1957)
* "Sayonara/On and On" (1957)
Miyoshi recorded a version of " Pick Yourself Up" 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 Doris ...
"
* "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 song published in 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 Eight'' released that year.
I ...
"
* "My Baby's Coming Home"
* "
How Deep Is the Ocean?"
* "Slowly Go Out of Your Mind"
* "
Teach Me Tonight"
* "Hanna Ko San"
* "
Can't Help Loving That Man"
* "
'S Wonderful
"S Wonderful" is a 1927 popular song composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics written by Ira Gershwin. It was introduced in the Broadway musical ''Funny Face'' (1927) by Adele Astaire and Allen Kearns.
The song is considered a standard and has ...
"
* "
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 show ...
"
* "
My Ship"
* "
You Make Me Feel So Young"
* "
They Can't Take That Away from Me"
* "
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 D ...
"
* "
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 ...
"
* "
That Old Feeling"
* "
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 Manha ...
"
''Miyoshi – Singing Star of Rodgers and Hammerstein's
Flower Drum Song'' (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"
* "
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 Doris ...
"
* "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 song published in 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 Eight'' released that year.
I ...
"
* "My Baby's Coming Home"
* "
How Deep Is the Ocean?"
* "Slowly Go Out of Your Mind"
* "
Teach Me Tonight"
* "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'' (1957)
* "Cry for Happy" for ''
Cry for Happy'' (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