was a Japanese American singer and actress. She was nominated for the Tony Award and Golden Globe Award and was the first East Asia-born woman to win an Academy Award for acting.

Life

Born in Otaru, Hokkaido, Umeki was the youngest of nine children. Her father owned an iron factory. The show was directed by Gene Kelly and ran for two years. A cover story in Time stated "the warmth of her art works a kind of tranquil magic".

Personal life and death

Umeki's first marriage, to television director Frederick Winfield "Wynn" Opie in 1958, ended in divorce in 1967. The couple operated a Los Angeles-based business renting editing equipment to film studios and university film programs.

According to Umeki's son (who died 11 years after his mother), Umeki lived in Sherman Oaks, California, for a number of years, then moved to Licking, Missouri, to be near her son and his family, which included three grandchildren. Known as Miyoshi Hood, she died there on August 28, 2007, aged 78, from cancer.

Discography

RCA Victor Japan (1950–1954)

During her singing 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)

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| 1957

| rowspan="3"| Golden Globe Awards

| Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture

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| 1961

| Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

| Flower Drum Song

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| 1970

| Best Supporting Actress – Television

| The Courtship of Eddie's Father

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| 1959

| Tony Awards

| Best Leading Actress in a Musical

| Flower Drum Song

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References

  • New York Times bio