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.
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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 he 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)
