Asian American Lives

Patti Yasutake (1953–2024), Nurse Alyssa Ogawa on Star Trek: TNG

Patti Yasutake was an actress best known for playing Nurse Alyssa Ogawa on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” a recurring character who also appeared in several “Star Trek” movies.

Jimmy Kim (1967–2023), Olympic taekwondo gold medalist

Jimmy Kim was a gold medalist in the first year that taekwondo was included in the Olympics.

Anna Shay (1960–2023), Bling Empire star

Anna Shay was an heiress and socialite who starred on the Netflix reality series “Bling Empire.” 

Eileen Saki (1943–2023), played Rosie on M*A*S*H

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.”

Theodore Shigeru Kanamine (1929–2023), first Japanese-American general in the U.S. Army

Brig. Gen. Theodore Shigeru Kanamine broke ground in 1976 when he became the first active duty Japanese-American general in the U.S. Army. His rise through the ranks of both American civilian and military life began much earlier, however, when he was forced into an internment camp as a child during World War II. He would go on to law school, serve in the Korean and Vietnam wars, and finished his nearly three-decade military career as chief of staff of the First Army at Fort Meade, Maryland.

Miiko Taka (1925–2023), star of “Sayonara”

Miiko Taka was an actress who starred opposite in “Sayonara” and appeared in “Shōgun.”

Alvin Ing (1932–2021), actor known for “Flower Drum Song,” “The Gambler”

Alvin Ing was an actor known for his performance on Broadway as Wang Ta in “Flower Drum Song.”

Women Have Always Directed Movies

Women have been a part of moviemaking since the earliest days of cinema's beginnings - on both sides of the camera. From the first silent films to today's Oscar nominees, many great movies have been directed by women. Join us as we celebrate the legacies of female filmmakers who have died but live on in their great work.

Atlanta Spa Shooting Victims (2021)

Eight people were killed in a series of shootings at three spas in the Atlanta area.

Discover the legacies of the Challenger astronauts

On January 28, 1986, Americans turned on their TVs to watch the launch of Space Shuttle Challenger. The shuttle’s flight would turn out to be heartbreakingly brief before tragedy struck. Seventy-three seconds into the Challenger’s flight, the shuttle exploded. All seven astronauts on board were killed.

Tony Hsieh (1973–2020), longtime Zappos CEO

Tony Hsieh was the longtime CEO of Zappos, who built the online shoe retailer into a billion-dollar business.

Cecilia Chiang (1920–2020), restaurateur who brought authentic Chinese cuisine to the U.S.

Cecilia Chiang was a restaurateur whose San Francisco restaurant, the Mandarin, introduced a more authentic style of Chinese food to U.S. diners.

Flossie Wong-Staal (1946–2020), pioneering HIV researcher

Flossie Wong-Staal was a molecular virologist whose research on HIV was crucial in the development of blood tests to detect the virus.

Grant Imahara (1970–2020), host of “MythBusters,” “White Rabbit Project”

Grant Imahara was an electrical engineer and roboticist who was best known for hosting “MythBusters” and “White Rabbit Project.”

Lillian Kimura (1929–2020), first female president of the Japanese American Citizens League

Lillian Kimura was a civil rights leader who became the first woman to serve as national president of the Japanese American Citizens League, leading the organization from 1992 to 1994.

Kellye Nakahara (1948–2020), actress who starred in “M*A*S*H”

Kellye Nakahara was an actress best known for her long-running role as Nurse Kealani Kellye on TV’s “M*A*S*H.” Nakahara appeared on “M*A*S*H” for all 12 of the show’s seasons, first as a background character in the first few seasons and then as a regular recurring role in more than 150 episodes. Nakahara also had roles in notable movies including “Clue” (1985), in which she played the cook, and “She’s Having a Baby” (1988), in which she played a labor and delivery nurse.

Wat Misaka (1923–2019), first person of color to play in the NBA

Wataru “Wat” Misaka was a Japanese-American basketball player who joined the New York Knicks in 1947, becoming the first non-White player in modern professional basketball. Prior to his professional career, Misaka played for the University of Utah, where his team won two national championships, in 1944 and 1947. He then signed with the Knicks as a guard, officially joining the Basketball Association of America, the NBA’s forerunner whose stats are counted as part of NBA history. Misaka only played three games with the Knicks before being released by the team. He declined an offer to play for the Harlem Globetrotters and returned to his native Utah, where he worked as a mechanical engineer.

Suzanne Whang (1962–2019), former host of “House Hunters”

Suzanne Whang was the host of HGTV’s “House Hunters” from the show’s debut in 1999 through 2007. She was also an actress and comedian, and she had a recurring role as Polly Nguyen on “Las Vegas.” Whang played Carol Cheng on “General Hospital” and made appearances on shows including “Criminal Minds,” “Two and a Half Men,” and “Boston Legal.” She won the Best Up & Coming Comedian Award at the 2002 Las Vegas Comedy Festival and the Andy Kaufman Award at the 2004 New York Comedy Festival. She had been battling breast cancer for 13 years.

Hindu Funeral Service Rituals

Will you be attending a Hindu funeral for the first time? Hinduism is the world’s third largest religion, with over a billion followers. Here is an overview of the general Hindu customs and traditions surrounding death, burial, and mourning to be aware of when attending a funeral.

Aiko Herzig-Yoshinaga (1925–2018), Japanese-American researcher uncovered truth behind World War II internments

Aiko Herzig-Yoshinaga (1925–2018), activist and researcher uncovered U.S. government documents that proved the was racially motivated. Her research led Congress to approve reparations to camp prisoners, and a formal apology by President Ronald Reagan.

Jhoon Rhee (1932–2018), "father of American Taekwondo"

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee, the man known as the "father of American Taekwondo," has died at the age of 86.

Daniel Akaka (1924–2018), first Native Hawaiian elected to Congress

Daniel Akaka, the first U.S. senator of Native Hawaiian ancestry, died Friday, April 6, 2018 after a long illness. He was 93.

Ed Lee (1952–2017), San Francisco's first Asian-American mayor

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — MayorEdLee, who oversaw a technology-driven economic boom in San Francisco that brought with it sky-high housing prices despite his commitment to economic equality, died suddenly early Tuesday at age 65.

Winnie Yu (1970 – 2017), champion of fine tea

Winnie Yu, California tea expert and entrepreneur, died Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, after a long illness, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. She was 47.

Christopher Wong Won (1964–2017), 2 Live Crew co-founder

Rap legend co-founded the hip-hop group 2 Live Crew.

14 Mighty Women Whose Bold Lives Will Inspire You

The basketball player who led the U.S. to victory over the Soviet Union. The top-secret flight engineer who helped write NASA's Planetary Flight Handbook. The journalist who shone a spotlight on President Nixon's corruption during the Watergate hearings. These women may not have marble monuments marking their accomplishments, but wow: They got stuff done .

Why So Many People Are Saluting Japanese Americans

Over the course of World War II, some 14,000 soldiers served in the U.S. Army's 442nd Infantry Regiment. What was so remarkable about the 442nd? To answer that question, we flash forward to the weekend of Feb. 18-19, 2017, when a crowd of Los Angelenos gathered at the alongside a host of musicians, poets, elected officials, and neighbors. Across the country, similar events unfolded in major cities: a at New York City's Japanese American United Church; historical film screenings in and ; a Seattle Center panel discussion titled " ."

Tyrus Wong (1910 - 2016), Bambi animator

Tyrus Wong, the artist whose drawings provided the visual inspiration for the Disney classic “Bambi,” died Friday, Dec. 30, 2016. He was 106.

China Machado (1928–2016), pioneering supermodel

China Machado, the Shanghai-born supermodel who broke barriers in the fashion industry, died Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, at a hospital in Brookhaven, New York, according to multiple news sources. She was 87.

Sammy Lee (1920–2016), Olympic diving champion

Sammy Lee, a two-time Olympic diving champion, died Friday, Dec. 2, 2016, of pneumonia in Newport Beach, California, according to The Associated Press. He was 96.

Harry "Mr. Fuji" Fujiwara (1934 - 2016), pro wrestler and manager

Harry "Mr. Fuji" Fujiwara, a popular professional wrestler and manager, died Aug. 28, 2016, according to the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). He was 82.

Tommy Kono (1930–2016), Olympic champion weightlifter

Tommy Kono, an Olympic champion weightlifter, died April 24 of liver disease in Honolulu, Hawaii, according to multiple news sources. He was 85.

Michi Kobi (1924–2016)

Actress Michi Kobi, who was known for roles in movies including "12 to the Moon," died March 1, according to a statement released by her family this weekend. She was 91.

Yeh-Yeh's Red Roast Pork Shoulder

In Legacy.com's series, celebrity chefs and food bloggers share how recipes preserve our life stories and connect us to those we've lost.

Barney F. Hajiro, 94, belatedly received the Medal of Honor

, the Hawaiian-born son of Japanese immigrants, was among 22 Asian American World War II veterans who received Medals of Honor – the nation’s highest award for heroism – 55 years after the war ended.

Brandon Lee: A Life Cut Short

Onthe anniversary of his death March 31, 1993, we're remembering thetragically short life and career of Brandon Lee .

A Doctor and a Patriot

The obituary for in the Kansas City Star told scant details of his remarkable life compared to the autobiography he wrote in 1996.

Bruce Lee: Born a Dragon

In 1973, martial arts master Bruce Lee was young and in seemingly good health. But while planning his next movie in Hong Kong, he suffered a cerebral edema and died July 20. Only 32 at the time of his death, Lee didn't have many years to make his mark — but the legacy he left is indelible. During his short life, he brought martial arts to Hollywood, ushering in a karate craze in the U.S. and helping to elevate the perception of Asian actors. He taught martial arts, invented Jeet Kune Do, and even wrote poetry.

Remembering the Columbia Seven

Ten years ago today, the world witnessed a disaster when the disintegrated on reentry after a successful mission, killing the seven astronauts aboard. It was a shocking tragedy, leaving us to mourn yet another shuttle crew as we did in 1986 after the exploded shortly after lift-off.

Never Got to Go for Gold

Not every Olympic-caliber athlete makes it to the Olympics. For some, injury intervenes and shuts down their chance to compete. For others, it may be financial hardship that prevents them from going to the Olympic Games. But for many athletes, it isn't their bodies or personal circumstances that get in the way — it's politics.

Anna May Wong: Dragon Ladies and Butterflies

Anna May Wong was a movie actress at a time when the U.S. wasn’t quite ready for Chinese-American leading ladies.

Bruce Lee: Still Kicking

was the most influential martial artist of the 20th century,an iconic figure whose films brought him worldwide popularity and helped spark interest in the martial arts in the West. Though he , at 32, he still looms large on the pop culture landscape. Opening this week in Asia is Bruce Lee, My Brother ,a film about his Hong Kong childhood as told through the memories of his siblings. Early next yearColumbia Pictures will release a film version of Lee's 1960s American TV show, The Green Hornet , in which he starred as crime-fighting sidekick Kato. A Broadway musical based on the life of Lee is also due next year.