Miiko Taka
Miiko Taka | |
|---|---|
| File:Original movie poster for the film Sayonara.jpg Taka as Hana-ogi with Marlon Brando | |
| Other names | Betty Ishimoto |
| Years active | 1957–1982 |
| Spouse(s) | Dale Ishimoto (1944-1958), Lennie Blondheim (1963 - Present) |
Miiko Taka (高美以子, Taka Miiko) Japanese American actress best known for co-starring with Marlon Brando as Hana-ogi in the 1957 movie Sayonara.
'Sayonara'
Taka was born in Seattle, but raised in Los Angeles, California[1] as a Nisei[2] ; her parents had immigrated from Japan. She graduated from Los Angeles High School in 1943. After director Joshua Logan's first choice for the role of Hana-ogi, Audrey Hepburn, turned him down, he looked to cast an unknown actress[2]. Taka, who at the time was working as a clerk at a travel agency in Los Angeles, was discovered by a talent scout at a local Nisei festival.[1] Although she had no previous acting experience[2], Variety gave her a positve review in their review of the film.[3] Warner Bros. gave her a term contract as a result of her performance in Sayonara.[4]
Post-'Sayonara' career
After Sayonara, she steadily worked in various movies starring James Garner, Bob Hope, Cary Grant, and Toshiro Mifune (whom she also worked alongside of in the 1980 television miniseries, Shõgun). She also served as a translator for Mifune as well as Akira Kurosawa when they visited Hollywood [5][6]
Personal life
Taka married Dale Ishimoto in Baltimore in 1944[7], and they had one son and one daughter. They divorced in 1958.[8]
She married Los Angeles TV news director Lennie Blondheim in 1963.[9]
Motion pictures
| Year | Film | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Sayonara | Hana-ogi | Screen debut, co-star with Marlon Brando |
| 1960 | Hell to Eternity | Ester | Stars Jeffrey Hunter |
| 1961 | Cry for Happy | Chiyoko | Reunites with Sayonara co-star Miyoshi Umeki |
| 1961 | Operation Bottleneck | Ari | Shares top billing with Ron Foster and Norman Alden |
| 1963 | A Global Affair | Fumiko | Stars Bob Hope |
| 1965 | The Art of Love | Chou Chou | Reunites with Sayonara co-star James Garner |
| 1966 | Walk Don't Run | Aiko Kurawa | Final film of Cary Grant's career |
| 1968 | The Power | Mrs. Van Zandt | |
| 1973 | Lost Horizon | Nurse | |
| 1975 | Paper Tiger | Madame Kagoyama | first movie working with Toshirō Mifune |
| 1978 | The Big Fix | Saleswoman | Stars Richard Dreyfuss |
| 1982 | The Challenge | Yoshida's wife | Last film to date |
References
- ^ a b Scott, John L. (May 5, 1957). "Fortune Bolt puts Miiko in Top Film Spot". Los Angeles Times. p. E3.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ a b c Capote, Truman (November 9, 1957). "The Duke in His Domain". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2007-08-09.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "Sayonara". Variety. January 1, 1957. Retrieved 2007-08-09.
- ^ Scheuer, Philip K. (November 17, 1958). "Faulkner Story Lifted Off Shelf, Cycle Looms; Miiko Taka to Stay On". Los Angeles Times. p. B7.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^
Beyette, Beverly (August 12, 1983). "Toshiro Mifune Takes Up the Samurai Role Again". Los Angeles Times. p. G1.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ Thomas, Kevin (November 28, 2002). "WORLD CINEMA; An edgy, epic collaboration; Director Akira Kurosawa and Toshiro Mifune made 16 films together; 13 will be screening at the Nuart". Los Angeles Times. p. E16.
- ^ "Actress Miiko Taka of Movies Wins Divorce". Los Angeles Times. November 18, 1958. p. B1.
- ^ "Miiko Taka Gets Divorce". New York Times. November 17, 1958.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ Paddleford, Clementine (November 17, 1963). "Barbecue at the Table". Los Angeles Times.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ "Miiko Taka Filmography". fandango.com. Retrieved 2007-08-10.
- ^ "Miiko Taka". imdb.com. Retrieved 2007-08-10.
- ^ "Biography for Miiko Taka". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 2009-02-20.