Rodney Kageyama

Rodney Masao Kageyama (November 1, 1941 – December 9, 2018) was an American stage, film and TV actor.[3] He was a Nisei Japanese American (second-generation) and besides acting in Asian American theater groups, he was also a director and designer. With his roles in the “Gung Ho” film and television series and the “Karate Kid” franchise, he was a trailblazer for Asian Americans in Hollywood.[2]

Rodney Kageyama
Born
Rodney Masao Kageyama[1]

(1941-11-01)November 1, 1941[1]
San Mateo, California, US[1]
DiedDecember 9, 2018(2018-12-09) (aged 77)[2]
OccupationActor
Years active1965–2018
SpouseKen White[2]

Career

Theatre

Born in nearby San Mateo, Kageyama began his career in San Francisco in 1965 as one of the original members of the Asian American Theater Company.[4] While in San Francisco he attended the American Conservatory Theater.[4] In 1979, Kageyama moved to Los Angeles where he joined the Asian American theatre group, East West Players (EWP), working as an actor, director, and designer.[5] In 1985 he received a Drama-Logue Award for Costume Design for EWP's Rashomon.[6]

In 1993, Kageyama directed The Grapevine, written by Grateful Crane Ensemble founder Soji Kashiwagi, produced at the Los Angeles Theatre Center.

In spring 2001, Kageyama played Erronius in an all Asian American production of the musical, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at EWP in Los Angeles.[7]

Film and television

He acted on many films, notably The Karate Kid Part II, The Next Karate Kid, Gung Ho (and its subsequent television spin-off), and Showdown in Little Tokyo. He was also featured in the Golden Dreams film exhibit which opened the Disney California Adventure Park theme park. He appeared in many television shows including Quantum Leap and Home Improvement.[5]

Kageyama befriended Chris Tashima, founder of Cedar Grove OnStage, on the set of a Coca-Cola commercial shoot in 1984.[8] Kageyama has subsequently costume designed and served as a crew member on different short films directed by Tashima, including the Academy Award-winning Visas and Virtue (1997).[8]

Personal life

Kageyama was heavily involved in community activity, often volunteering for various organizations. He served as an emcee and directed shows for many charitable events.[9] He was a docent at the Japanese American National Museum, where he did story telling for visiting children. He was also an animal advocate and helped place dogs in homes.[10]

In 2007, Kageyama was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He underwent chemotherapy and as of spring 2008 was declared cancer-free. He had numerous other health issues including dealing with complications from HIV for decades before his death. He had both hips replaced and walked with a cane. In his last years, he was on dialysis due to a kidney illness.[2]

He married his long time partner, Ken White, in 2013 when California legalized same-sex unions. They remained together until his death.[2]

Honors and awards
  • 2006 "Community Treasures" Award, Cherry Blossom Festival of Southern California[9]
  • 2005 "Rae Creevey" Award (for volunteer service), East West Players 39th Anniversary Awards[11]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1982Best FriendsMeter Reader
1985Teen WolfJanitor
1986Gung HoIto
1988VibesDr. Harmon
1988Lucky StiffTailor
1989Let It RidePatron in Chinese Restaurant
1990Pretty WomanJapanese Businessman
1991Showdown in Little TokyoEddie
1994The Next Karate KidMonk
1999Godzilla 2000Voice
2000Stanley's GigJeff Fujisaki
2014The Three DogateersMr. Hiroshi

References
  1. "Rodney Kageyama (birth reference)". FamilySearch.org. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
  2. Reyes-Velarde, Alejandra (December 13, 2018). "Rodney Kageyama, actor and beloved Little Tokyo icon, dies at 77". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  3. Mike Barnes (December 14, 2018). "Rodney Kageyama, 'Gung Ho' Actor and Asian-American Activist, Dies at 77". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  4. III, Harris M. Lentz (May 30, 2019). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2018. McFarland. ISBN 978-1-4766-3655-9.
  5. "Kageyama bio on "Pawns of the King" website". pawnsoftheking.com. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  6. "Production Awards:1986 Drama-Logue Awards". East West Players. Archived from the original on November 19, 2007.
  7. "Rodney Kageyama". IMDb. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  8. "help rodney kageyama". Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  9. History on Cherry Blossom Festival website Archived July 4, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  10. Brief bio following "Daikon Ashi" by Kageyama at JANM online
  11. EWP 39th Awards on AA Theatre Revue
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