Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month: Trailblazing Women in
Entertainment
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)
Heritage Month, honoring the contributions of Asian Americans, Native
Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders throughout U.S. history. We're spotlighting
influential AAPI women like Miyoshi Umeki and Ming-Na Wen who've shattered
barriers in Hollywood.
✨ From Lucy Liu to Ming Na Wen,
these AAPI heritage trailblazers have made significant contributions to the
entertainment industry and the AAPI community. Join us in celebrating their
accomplishments!
AAPI Heritage Month is held every May to reflect on and
celebrate the work and impact of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific
Islanders throughout history.
Celebrate AAPI Month with us as we highlight the achievements of influential women in entertainment! From Miyoshi Umeki's historic Oscar win to Lucy Liu's impact on pop culture, we're recognizing the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by spotlighting these amazing women and Ming Na Wen.
Miyoshi Umeki
Miyoshi Umeki was the first Asian actor to win an Oscar.
In 1958, Miyoshi Umeki, a Japanese-American singer and
actor, became the first Asian actor to win an Academy Award. She won best
supporting actress for her role as Katsumi in "Sayonara," and starred
alongside Red Buttons and Marlon Brando.
After her win, she starred in "Flower Drum Song"
on Broadway and in film adaptations, earning a Tony and a Golden Globe
nomination, respectively. She was also known for her supporting role as Mrs.
Livingston in the sitcom "The Courtship of Eddie's Father."
A cover story in Time stated "the warmth of her art
works a kind of tranquil magic". Umeki appeared in the film adaptation of
the musical. Although a guest on many television variety shows, she appeared in
only four more movies through 1962, including the film version of Flower Drum
Song (1961). The others were Cry for Happy (1961), The Horizontal Lieutenant
(1962) and A Girl Named Tamiko (1963).
From 1969 to 1972, she appeared in The Courtship of Eddie's Father as Mrs. Livingston, the housekeeper, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. She retired from acting following the end of the series.
READ - Auli'i Cravalho | Asian American Women Who Conquered Hollywood
Like many other actors of color at the time, Umeki was
forced to either play roles that reinforced stereotypes or not act at all. Her
son, Michael Hood, told Entertainment Weekly in 2018 that he'd asked her why
she agreed to speak in "pidgin English."
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