Dale Ishimoto was an American actor who is best known for Beverly Hills Ninja, King Rat, and Kung Fu. He was born on April 3, 1923, in Delta, Colorado, and passed away on March 4, 2004, in Culver City, California.
Personal and Family Life
Dale Ishimoto was married to Miiko Taka from 1944 until their divorce in 1958, and they had two children together. Throughout his life, he remained in the entertainment industry, gaining recognition for his roles in various notable films and television shows.
Career
Ishimoto gained popularity through the “Dream Garage” commercials for Nissan, where he portrayed Yutaka “Mr. K” Katayama, the former president of Nissan’s U.S. division, even though he was thirteen years younger than the character he played. His career spanned several decades, allowing him to take on diverse characters in both film and television.
Death and Legacy
Dale Ishimoto died on March 4, 2004. His contribution to cinema, especially as an Asian American actor during a time when such representation was limited, left a mark on the industry. He is remembered for breaking stereotypes and paving the way for future generations of actors.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Beverly Hills Ninja | 1997-01-17 | Old Japanese Man |
| Ninja III: The Domination | 1984-09-14 | Okuda |
| Beach Red | 1967-08-03 | Capt. Tanaka |
| When the North Wind Blows | 1974-01-14 | Yermak |
| The Nun and the Sergeant | 1962-01-01 | Pak |
| Enter the Ninja | 1981-07-17 | Komori |
| King Rat | 1965-10-27 | Yoshima |
| The Games | 1970-08-07 | Japanese Doctor |
| Midway | 1976-06-18 | Vice Admiral Moshiro Hosogaya |
| Cannonball Run II | 1984-06-29 | Japanese Businessman (uncredited) |
| Come See the Paradise | 1990-08-17 | Mr. Ogata |
| Run Silent, Run Deep | 1958-03-27 | Japanese sailor (uncredited) |
| Hawaii Five-O | 1968-09-20 | Arcturus construction guard |
| The Twilight Zone | 1959-10-02 | Sergeant Yamazaki |
| Baa Baa Black Sheep | 1976-09-21 | Japanese Mechanic |