Eileen Saki was an actor best known as the third and final person to play the role of Rosie, the bar owner on the Korean War sitcom, “M*A*S*H.”
- Died: May 1, 2023 (Who else died on May 1?)
- Details of death: Died in Los Angeles of pancreatic cancer the age of 79.
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Eileen Saki’s legacy
Eileen Saki wanted to perform from an early age. Born and raised in Japan, her father was a gardener who set aside money to pay for the singing and dancing lessons that would set the stage for her career as an actor. She landed her most well-known role by sneaking onto the “M*A*S*H” set at the Fox Studios Lot and asking producer Burt Metcalfe for work.
Saki joined the “M*A*S*H” cast in season five and made recurring appearances until the series’ end. She played Rosie, the owner and proprietor of Rosie’s Bar, replacing Frances Fong in the role. This casting change mirrored real life: Rosie’s Bar was a real place in Seoul during the Korean War, and it was run by two different “Rosies,” a mother and, later, her daughter.
Saki would go on to have small roles in several other films and television shows, including 1984’s “Splash” and the Mel Brooks film “History of the World, Part 1,” as well as shows like “Good Times,” “Gimme a Break!,” and “The Greatest American Hero.” She was most recently acting in commercials.
Tributes to Eileen Saki
Full obituary: The Hollywood Reporter
