Miyoshi Umeki
"American Dream" formed by Racism 

Coming in from Otaru, Japan Umeki had a goal to reach make it big in America, after WW2, with her love for music. In Japan, she would perform American pop songs she learned in nightclubs.

She moved to New York in 1955.

1. Regional Emmy Award "Outstanding Female personality"

2. Won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for the film 'Sayonara' 

3. Tony nomination for 'Flower Drum Song'

4. Emmy nomination for the tv show 'The Courtship of Eddie's Father'

Miyoshi Umeki made sure that she could help other Asians like Pat Morita and George Takei, giving them the opportunity to be guest-starred in her Primetime allowing more exposure for others. In every film set she makes sure to create the ideal work environment by working with the producers too.

Her singing skills paired with her vibrant personality quickly landed her a contract with Mercury Records and even a recurring role in a CBS variety show. 

Through her TV show role she was the first Asian to play a lead role in Primetime.

Although Umeki landed a lot of successful films, it's undeniable how all of them are racial stereotypical roles such as the Japanese girl who dies a tragic death or a housekeeper both roles being placed in a lower level of power compared to white men. She recognizes the need to adopt that calm, submissive fantasy to advance her career. 

At the end of her career in 1972 (Courtship cancelled) she made it her goal to be happily married with kids. However, she met a grim turn of events as only a few years later her husband passed away. Because of this, Miyoshi Umeki wrote her name on her Oscar and threw it away, nobody knows why.