Reiko Sato
| Reiko Sato | |
|---|---|
| Born |
December 19, 1931 Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Died |
May 28, 1981 (aged 49) Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Years active | 1950–63 |
Reiko Sato (December 19, 1931 – May 28, 1981) was an American dancer and actress.
Early life
Reiko Sato was born in Los Angeles, California. She and her family were interned at the Gila River War Relocation Center during World War II.[1] Her mother was Chieko Sato, a real estate investor; Reiko also had many siblings. She graduated from Belmont High School 1949, later attending Los Angeles City College. She continued her studies in Ballet.
Career
Sato is best known for playing seamstress Helen Chao in the feature film Flower Drum Song. She also had a dramatic role in The Ugly American, receiving personal coaching from actor Marlon Brando. She had been on contract with Fox and Universal, but nothing materialized, and she retired from Hollywood.
She had performed as the original princess of Ababu in the Broadway production of Kismet, as well as the movie. She was also in the broadway play, Destry Rides Again, having two roles.
Final years
Reiko Sato spent her final years involved in various organizations promoting equality for Asian-American performers. She lived on Mulholland Drive. After her death in 1981 she was cremated. Half of her ashes were sent to a Buddhist Temple. The other half were "spirited away" to Marlon Brando's private island.
Filmography
- The Ugly American (1963) as Rachani, Deong's Wife
- Flower Drum Song (1961) as Helen Chao
- Hell to Eternity (1960) as Famika
- Kismet (1955) as 1st Princess of Ababu
- House of Bamboo (1955) (uncredited) as Charlie's Girl
- Woman on the Run (1950) as Susie
- Mother Didn't Tell Me (1950) as Suki
References
- ↑ "National Archives: Reiko Sato". Retrieved 2010-12-20.
