Shuji Joe Nozawa

1922 - 2008

"Shu" was born in Los Angeles on December 28, 1922, and passed away peacefully in his home in Rancho Palos Verdes on May 7, 2008, after enduring the battle with pancreatic cancer for ten months. He was the youngest of five siblings, and the leader of his friends throughout childhood. After graduating from Los Angeles High School in 1941 where he played first string on the varsity football team, he attended UCLA for one year until he was sent to Manzanar Internment Camp during the War (WWII). He then served in the US Army for the relief efforts in Japan. Over the rest of his life, friends, family, and fans all followed his career as a professional wrestler, Japanese-American actor and stuntman, and real estate tycoon (all by the nickname Fuji). His roles in such classic movies and television shows as The King and I, Wackiest Ship in the Army, Beverly Hillbillies, Mission: Impossible (t.v.), The Wrecking Crew, Time Tunnel, and many others, pioneered the path for other Asian-American actors to follow. While Shuji lived across the country during his wrestling touring days, he resided in his hometown of Los Angeles for the past few decades, building, contracting, managing, and selling properties ranging from apartment complexes to golf courses around Southern California. Some of his favorite pastimes included fishing, golfing, reading, and joking with loved ones (or pulling pranks at Thanksgiving!). He left this earth with a very peaceful, dignified last breath; one would expect nothing less of such a great man. Shuji is survived by his wife, Napaporn; and his two daughters, Annie and Bonnie. His memorial will be held on Monday, May 12, 2008, at 3:00pm, at Green Hills Memorial Park, located at 25701 South Western Avenue, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. Please sign the guest book at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.