Dale Ishimoto

Dale Ishimoto

Born: April 3, 1923
Died: March 4, 2004
in Delta County, Colorado, USA
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dale Ishimoto (April 3, 1923 – March 4, 2004) was an American actor of Japanese descent. He was born in Delta, Colorado in 1923 and was raised in Guadalupe, California.

After being sent to the Gila River internment camp in Arizona, Ishimoto volunteered to fight in World War II, joining the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. After two years, he was awarded a Purple Heart and given a medical discharge.

After starting a business in Chicago, he moved back to California, where he grew up, and started his acting career by acting at the Altadena Playhouse. He became a "familiar figure" for playing "villainous Japanese soldiers".

Over the course of his career, he acted in a wide variety of movies, such as a Japanese army captain in Beach Red (1967), a Korean doctor in MASH (1970), a karate instructor in Superchick (1973), and as Vice Admiral Boshiro Hosogaya in Midway (1976).

He became famous in the late 1990s for his appearances in television commercials for Nissan in which he portrayed Yutaka Katayama, the company's former president. He also appeared in one episode of Wanted:Dead or Alive"

Movies for Dale Ishimoto...

Sir John Mills' Moving Memories
Title: Sir John Mills' Moving Memories
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: August 1, 2000
Type: Movie
A film biography with a difference, Sir John Mills' Moving Memories charts the life of one of Britain's most distinguished actors. Compiled from interviews with the man himself and with his family and friends, it traces his career from humble beginnings to all-time great of British cinema. The many film clips reveal an electric screen presence and a willingness to undertake a range of difficult, challenging roles.
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Beverly Hills Ninja
Title: Beverly Hills Ninja
Character: Old Japanese Man
Released: January 17, 1997
Type: Movie
Haru, an orphaned American who washes ashore in Japan and is mistaken for the great White Ninja of legend. Raised among the finest Ninjas, Haru grows strong and big - very big. With the grace of all Three Stooges rolled into one body, Haru is an embarrassment to his clan. But when a beautiful blonde pleads for his help, Haru is given one dangerous, disastrously funny chance to prove himself.
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In the Line of Duty: The Price of Vengeance
Title: In the Line of Duty: The Price of Vengeance
Character: Mr. Ing
Released: January 23, 1994
Type: Movie
A criminal gang commits a string of violent robberies and murders, culminating in the assassination of the police detective on the case, which may lead to their downfall.
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Come See the Paradise
Title: Come See the Paradise
Character: Mr. Ogata
Released: August 17, 1990
Type: Movie
Come See The Paradise is a deeply touching love story set against the backdrop of a dramatic and controversial period in American history, It follows the romance and eventual marriage of Jack McGurn (Dennis Quad), a hot blooded Irish American, and a beautiful Japanese American Lily Dawanura (Tamlyn Tomita), at the outset of World War II. The clash of cultures, at once painful for the two lovers, becomes insurmountable after the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. Lily and the Kawamuras are relocated To a bleak, outdoor internment camp in California, Jack is drafted into the Army, powerless to help the woman he loves abandoning all hope of ever winning her family's approval.
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Title: Rambo
Released: April 14, 1986
Type: TV
Rambo: The Force of Freedom is an animated series based on the character of John Rambo from David Morrell's book First Blood and the subsequent films First Blood and Rambo: First Blood Part II. This series was adapted for television by story editor/head writer Michael Chain and the series even spawned a toy line. The cartoon ran for 65 episodes, and was produced by Ruby-Spears Enterprises. The series debuted on April 14, 1986 as a five-part miniseries, and was renewed in September as a daily cartoon. Rambo was cancelled in December of the same year.
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Ninja III: The Domination
Title: Ninja III: The Domination
Character: Okuda
Released: September 14, 1984
Type: Movie
Aerobics instructor Christie Ryder becomes possessed by the spirit of an evil ninja when she comes to his aid after he was shot down.
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Cannonball Run II
Title: Cannonball Run II
Character: Japanese Businessman (uncredited)
Released: June 29, 1984
Type: Movie
When a wealthy sheikh puts up $1 million in prize money for a cross-country car race, there is one person crazy enough to hit the road hard with wheels spinning fast. Legendary driver J.J. McClure enters the competition along with his friend Victor and together they set off across the American landscape in a madcap action-adventure destined to test their wits and automobile skills.
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Title: The A-Team
Character: Stockwell's contact
Released: January 23, 1983
Type: TV
A fictional group of ex-United States Army Special Forces personnel work as soldiers of fortune while on the run from the Army after being branded as war criminals for a "crime they didn't commit."
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Dangerous Company
Title: Dangerous Company
Character: Mr. Hikaru
Released: February 9, 1982
Type: Movie
The true story of Ray Johnson, a convict who spent most of his life in and out of prison until he finally decided to turn his life around.
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Enter the Ninja
Title: Enter the Ninja
Character: Komori
Released: July 17, 1981
Type: Movie
After completing his training of ninjutsu within Japan, an American Angolan Bush War veteran by the name of Cole visits his war buddy Frank Landers and his newly wed wife Mary Ann, who are the owners of a large piece of farming land in the Philippines. Cole soon finds that the Landers are being repeatedly harassed by a CEO named Charles Venarius.
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Mad Bull
Title: Mad Bull
Character: Smitty
Released: December 21, 1977
Type: Movie
An embittered professional wrestler, convinced that his life has no meaning outside the ring, meets a beautiful woman. Unlike most of the women he has known, she seems to be interested in him for himself rather than his fame or his money, and he finds himself becoming attracted to her.
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Title: Quincy, M.E.
Released: October 3, 1976
Type: TV
Quincy, M.E. is an American television series from Universal Studios pert in several of the later episodes.
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Title: Baa Baa Black Sheep
Character: Japanese Mechanic
Released: September 21, 1976
Type: TV
The dramatized World War II adventures of US Major Gregory "Pappy" Boyington and his Marine Attack Squadron 214, AKA The Black Sheep Squadron.
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Midway
Title: Midway
Character: Vice Admiral Moshiro Hosogaya
Released: June 18, 1976
Type: Movie
This war drama depicts the U.S. and Japanese forces in the naval Battle of Midway, which became a turning point for Americans during World War II.
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Sharks' Treasure
Title: Sharks' Treasure
Character: Ishi
Released: April 18, 1975
Type: Movie
Eccentric charter skipper Jim Carnahan and his team of hard-luck dreamers battle sharks, bandits and their own greed to recover sunken treasure
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When the North Wind Blows
Title: When the North Wind Blows
Character: Yermak
Released: January 14, 1974
Type: Movie
Avakum (Henry Brandon) is an old trapper who is having a harder and harder time getting by because of the dwindling wildlife in the region. One day he is on a tiger hunt when a big cat attacks his friend's son. Ava tries to shoot the tiger but accidentally kills the boy instead. Thinking he's accused of murder, he flees civilization, and eventually adapts to life among these same tigers. Boris (Herbert Nelson) , knows that his son's death was an accident, and tries to find Avakum and tell him he's innocent and should came back to the village. In the year that follows, Ava survives the harsh Siberian winter and finds himself at home beyond civilized life, to the point where when Boris finally does find him, it is a very touching goodbye, since the two old friends have drifted apart and have to remain in their separate worlds
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Title: Kung Fu
Released: October 14, 1972
Type: TV
The adventures of a Shaolin Monk as he wanders the American West armed only with his skill in Kung Fu.
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Title: The Odd Couple
Character: Man #1
Released: September 24, 1970
Type: TV
Felix and Oscar are two divorced men. Felix is neat and tidy while Oscar is sloppy and casual. They share a Manhattan apartment, and their different lifestyles inevitably lead to conflicts.
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The Games
Title: The Games
Character: Japanese Doctor
Released: August 7, 1970
Type: Movie
From Great Britain, the United States, France, Italy, Australia and behind the Iron Curtain. They are the most superbly conditioned animals in the world. They are also the pawns of powerful nations, the victims of dangerous drugs and the object of many men's ambitions. Once every four years they come together... for the Olympic Games.
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Title: Love, American Style
Released: September 29, 1969
Type: TV
An anthology comedy series featuring a line up of different celebrity guest stars appearing in anywhere from one, two, three, and four short stories or vignettes within an hour about versions of love and romance.
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Title: The Bill Cosby Show
Character: Mr. Shimura
Released: September 14, 1969
Type: TV
The Bill Cosby Show is an American situation comedy that aired for two seasons on NBC's Sunday night schedule from 1969 until 1971, under the sponsorship of Procter & Gamble. There were 52 episodes made in the series. It marked Bill Cosby's first solo foray in television, after his co-starring role with Robert Culp in I Spy. The series also marked the first time an African American starred in his or her own eponymous comedy series.
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Title: Hawaii Five-O
Character: Arcturus construction guard
Released: September 20, 1968
Type: TV
Hawaii Five-O is an American police procedural drama series produced by CBS Productions and Leonard Freeman. Set in Hawaii, the show originally aired for 12 seasons from 1968 to 1980, and continues in reruns. Jack Lord portrayed Detective Lieutenant Steve McGarrett, the head of a special state police task force which was based on an actual unit that existed under martial law in the 1940s. The theme music composed by Morton Stevens became especially popular. Many episodes would end with McGarrett instructing his subordinate to "Book 'em, Danno!", sometimes specifying a charge such as "murder one".
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Cocoon
Title: Cocoon
Character: Arcturus Construction Guard
Released: September 20, 1968
Type: Movie
In this pilot film to the "Hawaii Five-0" television series, special law officer Steve McGarrett tracks down Red Chinese operatives and their spy ring in Honolulu.
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Beach Red
Title: Beach Red
Character: Capt. Tanaka
Released: August 3, 1967
Type: Movie
American troops storm ashore on a Japanese-held island and push inland while their enemies plan a counterattack in this look at warfare. Soldiers on both sides are haunted by memories of home and the horrifying, sickening images they find in combat.
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Title: Mission: Impossible
Released: September 17, 1966
Type: TV
Mission: Impossible is an American television series that was created and initially produced by Bruce Geller. It chronicles the missions of a team of secret government agents known as the Impossible Missions Force. In the first season, the team is led by Dan Briggs, played by Steven Hill; Jim Phelps, played by Peter Graves, takes charge for the remaining seasons. A hallmark of the series shows Briggs or Phelps receiving his instructions on a recording that then self-destructs, followed by the theme music composed by Lalo Schifrin. The series aired on the CBS network from September 1966 to March 1973, then returned to television for two seasons on ABC, from 1988 to 1990, retaining only Graves in the cast. It later inspired a popular series of theatrical motion pictures starring Tom Cruise, beginning in 1996.
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Title: Family Affair
Released: September 12, 1966
Type: TV
Family Affair is an American sitcom that aired on CBS from September 12, 1966 to September 9, 1971. The series explored the trials of well-to-do civil engineer and bachelor Bill Davis as he attempted to raise his brother's orphaned children in his luxury New York City apartment. Davis' traditional English gentleman's gentleman, Mr. Giles French, also had adjustments to make as he became saddled with the responsibility of caring for 15-year-old Cissy and the 6-year-old twins, Jody and Buffy. The show ran for 138 episodes. Family Affair was created and produced by Don Fedderson, also known for My Three Sons and The Millionaire.
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King Rat
Title: King Rat
Character: Yoshima
Released: October 27, 1965
Type: Movie
When Singapore surrendered to the Japanese in 1942, the Allied POWs, mostly British but including a few Americans, were incarcerated in Changi prison. Among the American prisoners is Cpl. King, a wheeler-dealer who has managed to establish a pretty good life for himself in the camp. King soon forms a friendship with an upper-class British officer who is fascinated with King's enthusiastic approach to life.
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Moro Witch Doctor
Title: Moro Witch Doctor
Character: Manuel Romblon
Released: November 1, 1964
Type: Movie
The murders of two American plantation owners leads an Interpol agent into a battle with Filipino drug smugglers and violent religious fanatics.
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Title: McHale's Navy
Released: October 11, 1962
Type: TV
An experienced South Pacific Sea Dog by the name of Quinton McHale, was commissioned as a Lieutenant Commander into the U.S. Navy Reserve at the start of World War II. McHale was made the Skipper of the Torpedo Patrol (PT) Boat #73 stationed at the U.S. Naval Installation on the island of Taratupa in the Southwest Pacific. The 73 'Family' included, among others, a con man and amateur Magician, a womanizing hunk, a dedicated Family man, a guitar-playing, moonshine-making Tennessee good ol' boy, and even a deserter from the Japanese Navy, who was an excellent cook.
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Title: The Beachcomber
Character: Nakamira
Released: February 20, 1962
Type: TV
The Beachcomber was an ITC Entertainment adventure TV series which ran for one series of 39 half-hour episodes in 1962. Narrated by Cameron Mitchell, the series followed a rich executive who retired from the rat-race to become a beachcomber on a small South Pacific island.
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The Nun and the Sergeant
Title: The Nun and the Sergeant
Character: Pak
Released: January 1, 1962
Type: Movie
A weary sergeant in Korea commands military prisoners on a dangerous mission and is joined by a nun and a group of schoolgirls in enemy territory.
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The Wackiest Ship in the Army
Title: The Wackiest Ship in the Army
Character: Japanese Pilot (uncredited)
Released: December 29, 1960
Type: Movie
Lieutenant Rip Crandall is hoodwinked into taking command of the "Wackiest Ship in the Navy" – a real garbage scow with a crew of misfits who don't know a jib from a jigger. What none of them knows, including Crandall, is that this ship has a very important top-secret mission to complete in waters patrolled by the Japanese fleet. Their mission will save hundreds of allied lives – if only they can get there in one piece.
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Title: Hawaiian Eye
Released: October 7, 1959
Type: TV
Private Eyes Tom Lopaka and Tracy Steele are based out of Hawaiian Village Resort where they work both hotel security and are hired by others to look into various matters. They're helped by their trusty right-hand man Kazuo Kim who runs a taxi company and is always eager to help them.
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Title: Philip Marlowe
Released: October 6, 1959
Type: TV
Philip Marlowe is a 1959-1960 half-hour ABC crime series, featuring Philip Carey as Marlowe, the fictional detective originally created by Raymond Chandler. The private detective Marlowe of Carey, departed very much from the original character. The show first aired October 6, 1959 with the episode: "The Ugly Duckling" with Virginia Gregg and Rhys Williams.
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Title: The Twilight Zone
Character: Sergeant Yamazaki
Released: October 2, 1959
Type: TV
A series of unrelated stories containing drama, psychological thriller, fantasy, science fiction, suspense, and/or horror, often concluding with a macabre or unexpected twist.
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Title: Wanted: Dead or Alive
Character: Taro Yamamoto
Released: September 6, 1958
Type: TV
Wanted: Dead or Alive is an American Western television series starring Steve McQueen as the bounty hunter Josh Randall. It aired on CBS for three seasons from 1958–61. The black-and-white program was a spin-off of a March 1958 episode of Trackdown, a 1957–59 western series starring Robert Culp. Both series were produced by Four Star Television in association with CBS Television. The series launched McQueen into becoming the first television star to cross over into comparable status on the big screen.
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Run Silent, Run Deep
Title: Run Silent, Run Deep
Character: Japanese sailor (uncredited)
Released: March 27, 1958
Type: Movie
The captain of a submarine sunk by the Japanese during WWII is finally given a chance to skipper another sub after a year of working a desk job. His singleminded determination for revenge against the destroyer that sunk his previous vessel puts his new crew in unneccessary danger.
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Title: Sea Hunt
Released: January 4, 1958
Type: TV
Sea Hunt is an American adventure television series that aired in syndication from 1958 to 1961 and was popular in syndication for decades afterwards. The series originally aired for four seasons, with 155 episodes produced. It stars Lloyd Bridges as ex-Navy frogman Mike Nelson, and was produced by Ivan Tors.
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Title: Perry Mason
Character: Lao
Released: September 21, 1957
Type: TV
The cases of master criminal defense attorney Perry Mason and his staff who handled the most difficult of cases in the aid of the innocent.
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Title: Have Gun, Will Travel
Released: September 14, 1957
Type: TV
Have Gun – Will Travel is an American Western television series that aired on CBS from 1957 through 1963. It was rated number three or number four in the Nielsen ratings every year of its first four seasons. It was one of the few television shows to spawn a successful radio version. The radio series debuted November 23, 1958. The television show is presently shown on the Encore-Western channel. Have Gun – Will Travel was created by Sam Rolfe and Herb Meadow and produced by Frank Pierson, Don Ingalls, Robert Sparks, and Julian Claman. There were 225 episodes of the TV series, 24 written by Gene Roddenberry. Other contributors included Bruce Geller, Harry Julian Fink, Don Brinkley and Irving Wallace. Andrew McLaglen directed 101 episodes and 19 were directed by series star Richard Boone.
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Title: Panic!
Released: March 5, 1957
Type: TV