Biography
Sessue Hayakawa (June 10, 1889 – November 23, 1973) was a Japanese and American Issei (Japanese immigrant) actor who starred in American, Japanese, French, German, and British films. Hayakawa was the first and one of the few Asian actors to find stardom in the United States as well as Europe. Between the mid-1910s and the late 1920s, he was as well known as actors Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks. He was one of the highest paid stars of his time; making $5,000 a week in 1915, and $2 million a year via his own production company during the 1920s. He starred in over 80 movies and has two films in the U.S. National Film Registry. His international stardom transitioned both silent films and talkies.
External Links
Known For
Filmography
Acting Credits (99)
Asian Americans
Self
2020
Yellowface: Asian Whitewashing and Racism in Hollywood
(archive footage)
2019
Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema
Self (archive footage)
2007
Swiss Family Robinson: Adventure in the Making
Self (archive)
2002
Lover's Duet
Tajima
1967
