Henry Nakamura was a Japanese-American actor who appeared in several Hollywood films in the 1950s, most notably in Go for Broke!, a war drama about the 442nd Infantry Regiment, a unit composed of Japanese-American soldiers who fought in World War II. He was also a Korean War veteran, a federal employee, and a resident of Okinawa, Japan, where he passed away in 2016 at the age of 87. What was the cause of his death and how did he live his life? Here is a brief overview of his biography and achievements.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Henry Hiroshi Nakamura was born on December 5, 1928, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Japanese immigrant parents. He graduated from Farrington High School and the University of Hawaii, where he studied drama and speech. He was interested in acting since he was a child and participated in various school plays and local theater productions.
Military Service and Hollywood Career
After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Nakamura and his family were interned in a camp along with other Japanese-Americans. However, he managed to escape and join the Navy, where he served as a Japanese interpreter. He later transferred to the Army and was assigned to a military intelligence unit during the Korean War.
After his military service, he moved to Los Angeles and pursued his acting career. He signed a contract with MGM Studios and appeared in several films, mostly in supporting roles. Some of his notable films include:
- Go for Broke! (1951), a war drama based on the true story of the 442nd Infantry Regiment, a unit composed of Japanese-American soldiers who fought in World War II. Nakamura played the role of Sam, one of the main characters and a friend of the protagonist, played by Van Johnson.
- Westward the Women (1951), a western film about a group of women who travel across the country to marry men in California. Nakamura played the role of Ito, a Japanese cook who accompanies the women.
- Blood Alley (1955), an action film starring John Wayne and Lauren Bacall, about a merchant marine captain who helps a Chinese village escape from the Communists. Nakamura played the role of Tack, a Chinese sailor who assists the captain.
- Unchained (1955), a prison drama based on the true story of the Chino Institute, a reform school for juvenile delinquents. Nakamura played the role of Yoshi, a Japanese-American inmate who befriends the protagonist, played by Elroy Hirsch.
- Athena (1954), a musical comedy starring Jane Powell and Debbie Reynolds, about a family of health enthusiasts who clash with a conservative lawyer. Nakamura played the role of Roy, a friend of the lawyer’s brother, played by Edmund Purdom.
- Lafayette Escadrille (1958), a war film based on the true story of the Lafayette Escadrille, a squadron of American volunteer pilots who fought for France in World War I. Nakamura played the role of Kato, a Japanese-American pilot who joins the squadron.
Later Life and Death
In 1961, Nakamura left Hollywood and entered federal service. He worked in Okinawa, Japan, for over 32 years, retiring in 1993. He married Koto, a Japanese woman, and had a son, Derek. He also had two brothers, Wilfred and George, and two sisters, Mary and Mabel.
Nakamura passed away in Okinawa, Japan, from interstitial pneumonia on February 6, 2016. He was 87 years old. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean. He is survived by his wife, son, siblings, and several nieces and nephews. Private services were held in Okinawa.
Conclusion
Henry Nakamura was a Japanese-American actor who had a brief but memorable career in Hollywood in the 1950s. He was also a war veteran, a federal employee, and a resident of Okinawa, Japan. He died in 2016 at the age of 87 from interstitial pneumonia. He left behind a legacy of films that showcased his talent and diversity as an actor. He was one of the pioneers of Asian-American representation in Hollywood and a role model for many aspiring actors of his ethnicity. He will be remembered as a versatile and charismatic performer who brought life to his characters.
