Die Hard actor James Shigeta dies in his sleep at the age of 81
He worked with actors as varied as Elvis Presley and Bruce Willis, and even made a splash in a major Disney animated movie.
On Monday, actor James Shigeta passed away at the age of 81 in Los Angeles. The Asian-American film and television star first appeared on screen in the 1959 film, The Crimson Kimono.
In a statement to E! News, his publicist Jeffrey Leavitt said, 'It is with great sadness that I report the loss of my long time friend and client. James passed peacefully in his sleep, July 28, 2014, at 2 p.m. The world has lost a great actor. Sadly, I lost a dear friend.'
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Prominent actor: James Shigeta, well known for his role in the film Die Har, died at the age of 81 on Monday
In 1960, Shigeta won a Golden Globe for Most Promising Male Newcomer alongside fellow actors George Hamilton, Troy Donahue and Barry Coe.
Best remembered for his roles in Die Hard and the 1998 animated Disney film, Mulan, James’ acting career spanned from 1959 through 2005, when he voiced the character of Old Wanderer in the television series, Avatar: The Last Airbender.
His nearly 50 year profession included musical theatre, film and television, as well as a recording artist.
Most remembered role: Shigeta played Joe Takegi, president of Nakatomi Trading Corp., in Die Hard; he co-starred with Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman
Before international fame, the Hawaii native studied at New York University before he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War, where he served for two-and-a-half years and shortly after became Staff Sergeant
James found his love of entertaining when he put on shows for troops in California with musical and theatrical performances
He became a beloved singing star in Japan before he transitioned into acting roles.
Voice over: Along with his many television roles, the late actor voiced the character of General Li in Disney's animated hit film, Mulan
In 1961, Shigeta’s love of music and film combined when he starred in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song, which was nominated for five Academy Award nominations.
Also in 1966, he starred with Presley in the movie musical Paradise, Hawaiian Style.
His famous television costars include Angela Lansbury (Murder, She Wrote), Peter Graves, (Mission: Impossible), Tom Selleck (Magnum, P.I) and Patrick Swayze (The Renegades).
'Great actor': Shigeta's publicist released a statement to E! News that 'the world has lost a great actor. Sadly I lost a dear friend'
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