MIYOSHI UMEKI

(May 8 1929 – August 28 2007^[1]) was an Academy Award-winning Japanese actress best known for her roles as Katsumi, the wife of Joe Kelly (Red Buttons), in the 1957 film
''Sayonara'', and as Mrs. Livingston, the housekeeper in the TV series ''The Courtship of Eddie's Father''.
She began her career as a nightclub singer in Japan making several records for RCA Victor Japan and appearing in several musical shorts under the name "Nancy Umeki". After moving to the United States and appearing on the ''Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts'' (she was a series regular for one season), she signed with the Mercury Records label and released several singles and two albums.
In 1958, Umeki won an Oscar as Best Supporting Actress for her first U.S. film role, ''Sayonara''. She was the first Asian performer ever nominated. In 1958, she was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway premiere production of the musical ''Flower Drum Song''.
She appeared in only four more motion pictures through 1962, including the film version of ''Flower Drum Song'' (1961), before turning to television work. From 1969-1972 she appeared in ''The Courtship of Eddie's Father'' as Mrs. Livingston, the housekeeper. She retired from acting following that series' end.
Her first marriage was to television director Wynn Opie in 1958; they adopted one son before their marraige ended in divorce. She later married Randall Hood; the couple ran a theatrical lighting business that was dissolved following Hood's death in 1976.
Umeki had lived for some time in Hawaii, before moving to the small town of Licking, Missouri to be near her only son and his family. She died of cancer complications at a nursing home in Licking, aged 78.

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References

1. washingtonpost.com, "Actress Miyoshi Umeki, 78, Dies of Cancer", 5 September 2007

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★ Miyoshi Umeki]'s nominations at the Golden Globes site

★ ''New York Times'' bio

★ Hollywood.com bio