Richard Loo was an American actor who is best known for his roles in films like The Purple Heart, God Is My Co-Pilot, and The Steel Helmet.
Personal and Family Life
Richard Loo was born on October 1, 1903, in Maui, Hawaii. He was of Chinese descent and grew up in Hawaii before moving to California during his teenage years. Loo was married twice; his first marriage was to Bessie Loo, a Hollywood agent, with whom he had two children and divorced in 1960. He later married Hope Loo in 1964, who remained with him until his death.
Career
Loo had a notable career in the film industry, often portraying stern-faced villains, particularly of Japanese nationality. He began acting in amateur theater and transitioned to film in 1931. Due to World War II, he gained notoriety for playing Japanese soldiers, while also securing a rare heroic role as a Japanese-American soldier in The Steel Helmet (1951).
Death and Legacy
Richard Loo passed away on November 20, 1983, in Los Angeles, California, due to a cerebral hemorrhage. He is remembered as one of the most recognizable Asian character actors in American films during the 1930s and 1940s, despite often being typecast in minor, stereotypical roles. His legacy continues as he opened doors for future generations of Asian actors.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Man with the Golden Gun | 1974-12-14 | Hai Fat |
| The Sand Pebbles | 1966-12-20 | Major Chin |
| Women in the Night | 1948-01-02 | Colonel Noyama |
| Hell and High Water | 1954-02-06 | Hakada Fujimori |
| The Secrets of Wu Sin | 1932-12-15 | Charlie San |
| The Bitter Tea of General Yen | 1933-01-06 | Captain Li |
| The Clay Pigeon | 1949-03-03 | Ken Tokoyama |
| The Purple Heart | 1944-02-25 | General Ito Mitsubi |
| Betrayal from the East | 1945-04-24 | Lt. Cmdr. Miyazaki, alias Tani |
| Malaya | 1949-12-27 | Colonel Genichi Tomura |
| The Steel Helmet | 1951-01-24 | Sergeant Tanaka |
| God Is My Co-Pilot | 1945-04-07 | Tokyo Joe |
| Confessions of an Opium Eater | 1962-06-20 | George Wah |
| I Was an American Spy | 1951-04-14 | Col. Masamato |
| Across the Pacific | 1942-09-04 | First Officer Miyuma |
| Shadows Over Shanghai | 1938-10-14 | Fong |
| Peck’s Bad Boy | 1957-04-12 | Mr. Chang |