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{{short description|Canadian actor}}
{{Short description|Canadian actor (born 1931)}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Robert Ito
| name = Robert Ito
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}}
}}


'''Robert Ito''' (born July 2, 1931) is a Canadian [[actor]] of [[Japan]]ese ancestry.<ref name=TCM>{{cite web|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/92755%7C131989/Robert-Ito/#overview|title=Robert Ito|publisher=[[Turner Classic Movies]]}}</ref> He is known for his television and film work, including the roles of Sam Fujiyama on the 1976–83 NBC series ''[[Quincy, M.E.]]''<ref name=TCM /> and Larry Mishima on the 1980s CBS primetime soap opera ''[[Falcon Crest]]'', and a variety of voice acting for animation. He was nominated for a [[Gemini Award]] for his performance in the 1994 film ''[[Trial at Fortitude Bay]]''.
'''Robert Ito''' (born July 2, 1931) is a Canadian actor.<ref name=TCM>{{cite web|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/92755%7C131989/Robert-Ito/#overview|title=Robert Ito|publisher=[[Turner Classic Movies]]}}</ref> He is known for his television and film work, including the roles of Sam Fujiyama on the 1976–83 NBC series ''[[Quincy, M.E.]]''<ref name=TCM /> and Larry Mishima on the 1980s CBS primetime soap opera ''[[Falcon Crest]]'', and a variety of voice acting for animation. He was nominated for a [[Gemini Award]] for his performance in the 1994 film ''[[Trial at Fortitude Bay]]''.


==Career==
==Career==
Ito was a dancer with the [[National Ballet of Canada]]<ref name=TCM /><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vs-EDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT168|title=Quincy M.E., The Television Series|page=168|publisher=BearManor Media|date=October 2009|isbn=9781593934545}}</ref> before coming to Broadway and dancing in such shows as "Flower Drum Song"(1960-1961).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ibdb.com/tour-production/flower-drum-song-528256#OpeningNightCast | title=Flower Drum Song – Broadway Musical – 1960-1961 Tour &#124; IBDB }}</ref> He turned to acting in the mid-1960s, which led to a number of roles playing Asian or Asian-ancestry characters in American productions. He appeared three times (as different characters) in the 1970s TV series ''[[Kung Fu (TV series)|Kung Fu]]''; first as a Chinese rail worker in the two-hour movie that launched the series, later as a Chinese bandit named Captain Lee in the episode "The Way of Violence Has No Mind" and another time as a Japanese Ninja in the episode entitled "The Assassin".<ref>{{Cite web|title="Kung Fu" The Assassin (TV Episode 1973)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0623174/|access-date=2021-07-07|website=IMDb|language=en-US}}</ref>
Ito was a dancer with the [[National Ballet of Canada]]<ref name=TCM /><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vs-EDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT168|title=Quincy M.E., The Television Series|page=168|publisher=BearManor Media|date=October 2009|isbn=9781593934545}}</ref> before coming to Broadway and dancing in such shows as "Flower Drum Song"(1960-1961).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ibdb.com/tour-production/flower-drum-song-528256#OpeningNightCast | title=Flower Drum Song – Broadway Musical – 1960-1961 Tour &#124; IBDB }}</ref> He turned to acting in the mid-1960s, often playing Asian characters. He appeared three times (as different characters) in the 1970s TV series ''[[Kung Fu (1972 TV series)|Kung Fu]]''; first as a Chinese rail worker in the two-hour movie that launched the series, later as a Chinese bandit named Captain Lee in the episode "The Way of Violence Has No Mind" and another time as a Japanese Ninja in the episode entitled "The Assassin".<ref>{{Cite web|title="Kung Fu" The Assassin (TV Episode 1973)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0623174/|access-date=2021-07-07|website=IMDb|language=en-US}}</ref>


He likewise portrayed two different Korean characters in episodes of the TV series ''[[M*A*S*H (TV series)|M*A*S*H]]'', in 1972 and 1976. Ito acted in the [[1976 in film|1976]] film ''[[Midway (1976 film)|Midway]]'' as [[Minoru Genda]], the leader of the 1942 attack on [[Midway Atoll|Midway Island]]. In 1976, he was cast as forensic lab technician Sam Fujiyama, a regular supporting role he played for seven years on ''[[Quincy, M.E.]]''
He likewise portrayed two different Korean characters in episodes of the TV series ''[[M*A*S*H (TV series)|M*A*S*H]]'', in 1972 and 1976. Ito acted in the [[1976 in film|1976]] film ''[[Midway (1976 film)|Midway]]'' as [[Minoru Genda]], the leader of the 1942 attack on [[Midway Atoll|Midway Island]]. In 1976, he was cast as forensic lab technician Sam Fujiyama, a regular supporting role he played for seven years on ''[[Quincy, M.E.]]'' As of October 2024, Ito is the last surviving major cast member of the show.


His other film credits include ''[[The Terminal Man (film)|The Terminal Man]]'' (1974), ''[[Rollerball (1975 film)|Rollerball]]'' (1975), ''[[Peeper (film)|Peeper]]'' (1976), ''[[Special Delivery (1976 film)|Special Delivery]]'' (1976), ''[[Black Sunday (1977 film)|Black Sunday]]'' (1977), ''[[SST: Death Flight]]'' (1977), ''[[The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension]]'' (1984), ''[[Pray for Death]]'' (1985), ''[[Aloha Summer]]'' (1988) and ''[[The Vineyard (film)|The Vineyard]]'' (1989). Ito guest-starred on the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' episode "[[Coming of Age (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Coming of Age]]" as TAC officer Lt. Chang and on ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'' as John Kim ([[Harry Kim (Star Trek)|Harry Kim]]'s father).
His other film credits include ''[[The Terminal Man (film)|The Terminal Man]]'' (1974), ''[[Rollerball (1975 film)|Rollerball]]'' (1975), ''[[Peeper (film)|Peeper]]'' (1976), ''[[Special Delivery (1976 film)|Special Delivery]]'' (1976), ''[[Black Sunday (1977 film)|Black Sunday]]'' (1977), ''[[SST: Death Flight]]'' (1977), ''[[The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension]]'' (1984), ''[[Pray for Death]]'' (1985), ''[[Aloha Summer]]'' (1988) and ''[[The Vineyard (film)|The Vineyard]]'' (1989). Ito guest-starred on the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' episode "[[Coming of Age (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Coming of Age]]" as TAC officer Lt. Chang and on ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'' as John Kim ([[Harry Kim (Star Trek)|Harry Kim]]'s father).


Voice roles include such programs and films as ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'', ''[[Captain Planet and the Planeteers]]'', ''[[Animaniacs]]'', ''[[Bonkers (American TV series)|Bonkers]]'', ''[[Batman: The Animated Series]]'', ''[[Jackie Chan Adventures]]'', ''[[Fantastic Max]]'', ''[[Superman: The Animated Series]]'', ''[[SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron]]'', ''[[My Little Pony and Friends]]'', ''[[Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?]]'', ''[[Biker Mice from Mars]]'', ''[[Quack Pack]]'', ''[[Capitol Critters]]'', ''[[ProStars]]'', ''[[Justice League (TV series)|Justice League]]'', ''[[Darkwing Duck]]'', ''[[Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers (TV series)|Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers]]'', ''[[Iron Man (1994 TV series)|Iron Man]]'', ''[[The Karate Kid (TV series)|The Karate Kid]]'', ''[[A Pup Named Scooby-Doo]]'', ''[[Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures (1990 TV series)|Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures]]'', ''[[Rambo and the Forces of Freedom]]'', ''[[The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan]]'', ''[[Savage Dragon]]'', ''[[TaleSpin]]'', ''[[Chuck Norris: Karate Kommandos]]'', ''[[The Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries]]'', ''[[All Grown Up!]]'', ''[[The Mummy: The Animated Series]]'', ''[[Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo]]'', [[The New Woody Woodpecker Show|''The Woody Woodpecker Show'' (the 1999 version)]], ''[[The Wild Thornberrys]]'', ''[[Jonny Quest vs. The Cyber Insects]]'', and ''[[Gargoyles (TV series)|Gargoyles]]''.
Voice roles include such programs and films as ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'', ''[[Captain Planet and the Planeteers]]'', ''[[Animaniacs]]'', ''[[Bonkers (American TV series)|Bonkers]]'', ''[[Batman: The Animated Series]]'', ''[[Jackie Chan Adventures]]'', ''[[Fantastic Max]]'', ''[[Superman: The Animated Series]]'', ''[[SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron]]'', ''[[My Little Pony and Friends]]'', ''[[Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?]]'', ''[[Biker Mice from Mars]]'', ''[[Quack Pack]]'', ''[[Capitol Critters]]'', ''[[ProStars]]'', ''[[Justice League (TV series)|Justice League]]'', ''[[Darkwing Duck]]'', ''[[Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers (TV series)|Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers]]'', ''[[Iron Man (1994 TV series)|Iron Man]]'', ''[[The Karate Kid (TV series)|The Karate Kid]]'', ''[[A Pup Named Scooby-Doo]]'', ''[[Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures (1990 TV series)|Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures]]'', ''[[Rambo and the Forces of Freedom]]'', ''[[The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan]]'', ''[[Savage Dragon]]'', ''[[TaleSpin]]'', ''[[Chuck Norris: Karate Kommandos]]'', ''[[The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries]]'', ''[[All Grown Up!]]'', ''[[The Mummy: The Animated Series]]'', ''[[Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo]]'', ''[[The New Woody Woodpecker Show]]'', ''[[The Wild Thornberrys]]'', ''[[Jonny Quest vs. The Cyber Insects]]'', and ''[[Gargoyles (TV series)|Gargoyles]]''.


==Selected filmography==
==Selected filmography==
===Television===
===Television===

{| class = "wikitable sortable"
{| class = "wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
! Year
! Year
! Title
! Title
! Role
! Role
! Notes
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|1966
|''[[Get Smart]]''
|Number 3
|Episode: "The Amazing Harry Hoo"; uncredited
|-
|1968
|''[[It Takes a Thief (1968 TV series)|It Takes a Thief]]''
|Chief Aide
|Episode: "When Good Friends Get Together"
|-
|1970-1974
|''[[Mannix]]''
|Dr. Yoshiro, Dr. Sato, Doctor
|3 episodes
|-
|1972-1974
|''[[Kung Fu (1972 TV series)|Kung Fu]]''
|Fong, Tim Lee, Smith
|3 episodes
|-
| 1976
| ''Six Million Dollar Man: The Last Kamikaze''
| Mission Guide
|-
| 1976–1983
| ''[[Quincy, M.E.]]''
| Sam Fujiyama
| 147 episodes
|-
|1984
|''[[Magnum P.I.]]''
|Ray Lum
|Episode: Jororo Farewell
|-
|-
| 1986
| 1986
| ''[[Rambo: The Force of Freedom]]''
| ''[[Rambo: The Force of Freedom]]''
| Black Dragon / White Dragon (voice)
| Black Dragon / White Dragon
| 27 Episodes
| Voice, 27 episodes
|-
|-
| 1988
| 1988
Line 47: Line 82:
|-
|-
| 1989
| 1989
| ''[[The Karate Kid (TV series)|The Karate Kid]]''
| data-sort-value="Karate Kid, The" | ''[[The Karate Kid (TV series)|The Karate Kid]]''
| [[Mr. Miyagi]] (voice)
| [[Mr. Miyagi]]
|13 episodes
|Voice, 13 episodes
|-
|-
| 1990
| 1990
| ''[[TaleSpin]]''
| ''[[TaleSpin]]''
| Wan-Lo (voice)
| Wan-Lo
|Episode: "Last Horizons"
|Voice, episode: "Last Horizons"
|-
|-
| 1992-1993
| 1992-1993
| ''[[Batman: The Animated Series]]''
| ''[[Batman: The Animated Series]]''
|The Ninja / Kyodai Ken
|The Ninja / Kyodai Ken
|Voice, 2 episodes<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Robert Ito (visual voices guide) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Robert-Ito/ |access-date=November 11, 2023 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref>
|2 Episodes
|-
|-
|1993
|1993
| ''[[Animaniacs]]''
| ''[[Animaniacs]]''
|Mr. Matthew Kato
|Matthew Kato
|Episode: "Taming of the Screwy"
|Voice, episode: "Taming of the Screwy"<ref name="btva" />
|-
|-
| 1993
| 1993
Line 73: Line 108:
| 1994
| 1994
| ''[[Gargoyles (TV series)|Gargoyles]]''
| ''[[Gargoyles (TV series)|Gargoyles]]''
|Dr. Ken Sato (voice)
|Dr. Ken Sato
|Episode: "Deadly Force"
|Voice, episode: "Deadly Force"<ref name="btva" />
|-
|-
| 1994
| 1994
Line 83: Line 118:
|1995-1996
|1995-1996
|''[[Iron Man (1994 TV series)|Iron Man]]''
|''[[Iron Man (1994 TV series)|Iron Man]]''
|[[Mandarin (comics)|Mandarin]] (voice)
|[[Mandarin (comics)|Mandarin]]
|Voice, 12 episodes<ref name="btva" />
|12 Episodes
|-
|-
| 1995
| 1995
|''[[Jonny Quest vs. The Cyber Insects]]''
|''[[Jonny Quest vs. The Cyber Insects]]''
|427 (voice)
|427
|[[Television film]]
|Voice, [[television film]]
|-
|-
| 1995
| 1995
|''[[The X-Files]]''
|data-sort-value="X-Files, The" | ''[[The X-Files]]''
|Dr. Shiro Zama
|Dr. Shiro Zama
|2 episodes
|Episodes "Nisei" and "731"
|-
|1995
|data-sort-value="Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries, The" | ''[[The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries]]''
|Charlie Smith
|Voice, episode: "A Ticket to Crime"<ref name="btva" />
|-
|-
|1996
|1996
|''[[Quack Pack]]''
|''[[Quack Pack]]''
|Dr. William Wu (voice)
|Dr. William Wu
|Episode: "Feats of Clay"
|Voice, episode: "Feats of Clay"
|-
|-
|1996
|1996
|''[[The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest]]''
|data-sort-value="Real Adventures of Jonny Quest, The" | ''[[The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest]]''
|President Horkarno, Pradad, Controller (voice)
|President Horkarno, Pradad, Controller
|Voice, 2 episodes
|Episodes: "Assault on Questworld" and "Nemesis"
|-
|-
|1997
|1997
|''[[Superman: The Animated Series]]''
|''[[Superman: The Animated Series]]''
|Awards Presenter, Dr. Teng (voice)
|Awards Presenter, Dr. Teng
|Voice, 2 episodes<ref name="btva" />
|2 Episodes
|-
|-
|1999
|1999
|''[[The King of Queens]]''
|data-sort-value="King of Queens, The" | ''[[The King of Queens]]''
|Mr. Fujita
|Mr. Fujita
|Episode: "Hungry Man"
|Episode: "Hungry Man"
|-
|-
|2001
|2000
|''[[The Wild Thornberrys]]''
|data-sort-value="Wild Thornberrys, The" | ''[[The Wild Thornberrys]]''
|Asian Black Bear (voice)
|Asian Black Bear
|Episode: "The Anniversary"
|Voice, episode: "The Anniversary"<ref name="btva" />
|-
|-
|2001
|2001
Line 127: Line 167:
|-
|-
|2001
|2001
|''[[The Mummy: The Animated Series]]''
|data-sort-value="Mummy, The" | ''[[The Mummy (TV series)|The Mummy]]''
|Lin Chou
|Lin Chou
|Episode: "The Boy Who Would Be King"
|Voice, episode: "The Boy Who Would Be King"
|-
|-
|2003
|2003
|''[[Justice League (TV series)|Justice League]]''
|''[[Justice League (TV series)|Justice League]]''
|Mr. Hama, Shopper (voice)
|Mr. Hama
|Episode: "Comfort and Joy"
|Voice, episode: "Comfort and Joy"<ref name="btva" />
|-
|-
| 2006
| 2006
|''[[Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo]]''
|''[[Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo]]''
|Mayor, Bookseller (voice)
|Mayor, Bookseller
|Voice, television film<ref name="btva" />
|Television film
|-
|-
|2007
|2007
|''[[All Grown Up!]]''
|''[[All Grown Up!]]''
|Hiro Watanabe (voice)
|Hiro Watanabe
|Episode: "Trading Places"
|Voice, episode: "Trading Places"
|-
|-
| 2008
| 2008
|''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]''
|''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]''
|Sun Warrior Chief (voice)
|Sun Warrior Chief
|Episode: "The Firebending Masters"
|Voice, episode: "The Firebending Masters"<ref name="btva" />
|-
|-
|2008
|2008
|''[[Cars Toons#Mater's Tall Tales|Mater's Tall Tales]]''
|''[[Cars Toons#Mater's Tall Tales|Mater's Tall Tales]]''
|Ito San (voice)
|Ito San
|Episode: "Tokyo Mater"
|Voice, episode: "Tokyo Mater"
|}

=== Film ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|1966
|''[[Women of the Prehistoric Planet]]''
|Tang
|
|-
|1966
|''[[Dimension 5 (film)|Dimension 5]]''
|Sato
|
|-
|1969
|''[[Some Kind of a Nut]]''
|George Toyota
|
|-
|1973
|''[[Soylent Green]]''
|Shoe Seller
|Uncredited
|-
|1973
|data-sort-value="Naked Ape, The" | ''[[The Naked Ape (film)|The Naked Ape]]''
|Samurai Warrior
|
|-
|1974
|data-sort-value="Terminal Man, The" | ''[[The Terminal Man (film)|The Terminal Man]]''
|Anesthetist
|
|-
|1974
|''[[Airport 1975]]''
|Passenger
|Uncredited
|-
|1975
|''[[Rollerball (1975 film)|Rollerball]]''
|Houston Strategy Couch
|
|-
|1976
|''[[Peeper (film)|Peeper]]''
|Butler
|
|-
|1976
|''[[Midway (1976 film)|Midway]]''
|[[Minoru Genda]]
|
|-
|1976
|''[[Special Delivery (1978 film)|Special Delivery]]''
|Mr. Chu
|
|-
|1976
|''[[SST: Death Flight]]''
|Roy Nakamura
|
|-
|1977
|''[[Black Sunday (1977 film)|Black Sunday]]''
|Japanese Man
|Uncredited
|-
|1978
|''[[Gray Lady Down]]''
|Seaman at Base
|Uncredited
|-
|1984
|data-sort-value="Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, The" | ''[[The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension]]''
|Tohichi Hikita
|
|-
|1985
|''[[Pray for Death]]''
|Koga
|
|-
|1987
|''[[P.I. Private Investigations]]''
|Kim
|
|-
|1988
|''[[Aloha Summer]]''
|Ted Tanaka
|
|-
|1989
|data-sort-value="Vineyard, The" | ''[[The Vineyard (film)|The Vineyard]]''
|Auctioneer
|
|-
|1990
|''[[Crazy People]]''
|Yamashita's Aide
|
|-
|1995
|data-sort-value="War Between Us, The" | ''The War Between Us''
|Mr. Kawashima
|
|-
|1996
|''[[Hollow Point]]''
|Shin Chan
|
|-
|1999
|data-sort-value="Omega Code, The" | ''[[The Omega Code]]''
|Shimoro Lin Che
|
|-
|1999
|''[[Lima: Breaking the Silence]]''
|President Fujimoro
|
|}
|}
*''[[Get Smart]]'' (1965) (as Number 3 in ''The Amazing Harry Hoo'' – uncredited)
*''[[Women of the Prehistoric Planet]]'' (1966) as Tang
*''[[Dimension 5 (film)|Dimension 5]]'' (1966) as Sato
*''[[It Takes a Thief (1968 TV series)|It Takes a Thief]]'' (1968 American T.V. series, season 1, episode 9) as Chief Aide
*''[[Some Kind of a Nut]]'' (1969) as George Toyota
*''[[Mannix]]'' (1970) season 4, episode 5, as Dr. Yoshira
*''[[Kung Fu (1972 TV series)|Kung Fu]]'' (1972) Movie Pilot as Fong
*'' [[Mannix]]'' (1973) season 6, episode 20, as Dr. Sato
*''[[Kung Fu (1972 TV series)|Kung Fu]]'' (1973) season 2, episode 17, "The Assassin" as Blacksmith/Ninja
*''[[Soylent Green]]'' (1973) as Shoe Seller (uncredited)
*''[[The Naked Ape (film)|The Naked Ape]]'' (1973) as Samurai Warrior
*''[[Kung Fu (1972 TV series)|Kung Fu]]'' (1974) season 2, episode 30, as Captain Lee
*''[[The Terminal Man (film)|The Terminal Man]]'' (1974) as Anesthetist
*''[[Airport 1975]]'' (1974) as Passenger (uncredited)
*''[[Rollerball (1975 film)|Rollerball]]'' (1975) as Strategy Coach for Houston Team
*''[[Peeper (film)|Peeper]]'' (1976) as Butler
*''[[Midway (1976 film)|Midway]]'' (1976) as Cmdr. [[Minoru Genda]]
*''[[Special Delivery (1976 film)|Special Delivery]]'' (1976) as Mr. Chu
*''[[SST: Death Flight]]'' (1977) as Flight Engineer Roy Nakamura
*''[[Black Sunday (1977 film)|Black Sunday]]'' (1977) as Japanese Man (uncredited)
*''[[Gray Lady Down]]'' (1978) as Seaman at base (uncredited)
*''[[The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension]]'' (1984) as Professor Hikita
*''[[Pray for Death]]'' (1985) as Koga
*''[[P.I. Private Investigations]]'' (1987) as Kim
*''[[Aloha Summer]]'' (1988) as Ted Tanaka
*''[[The Vineyard (film)|The Vineyard]]'' (1989) as Auctioneer
*''[[Crazy People]]'' (1990) as Yamashita's Aide
*''The War Between Us'' (1995) as Mr. Kawashima
*''[[Hollow Point]]'' (1996) as Shin Chan
*''[[The Omega Code]]'' (1999) as Shimoro Lin Che
*''[[Lima: Breaking the Silence]]'' (1999) as President Fujimoro


==References==
==References==
Line 200: Line 337:
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ito, Robert}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ito, Robert}}
[[Category:1931 births]]
[[Category:1931 births]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriates in the United States]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate male actors in the United States]]
[[Category:Canadian male actors of Japanese descent]]
[[Category:Canadian male actors of Japanese descent]]
[[Category:Japanese-Canadian internees]]
[[Category:Japanese-Canadian internees]]

Latest revision as of 04:02, 6 November 2024

Robert Ito
Ito c. 1981 in a publicity photo for Quincy, M.E. (1976–1983)
Born (1931-07-02) July 2, 1931 (age 93)
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
NationalityCanadian
Occupation(s)Actor, voice artist
Years active1965–2008

Robert Ito (born July 2, 1931) is a Canadian actor.[1] He is known for his television and film work, including the roles of Sam Fujiyama on the 1976–83 NBC series Quincy, M.E.[1] and Larry Mishima on the 1980s CBS primetime soap opera Falcon Crest, and a variety of voice acting for animation. He was nominated for a Gemini Award for his performance in the 1994 film Trial at Fortitude Bay.

Career

[edit]

Ito was a dancer with the National Ballet of Canada[1][2] before coming to Broadway and dancing in such shows as "Flower Drum Song"(1960-1961).[3] He turned to acting in the mid-1960s, often playing Asian characters. He appeared three times (as different characters) in the 1970s TV series Kung Fu; first as a Chinese rail worker in the two-hour movie that launched the series, later as a Chinese bandit named Captain Lee in the episode "The Way of Violence Has No Mind" and another time as a Japanese Ninja in the episode entitled "The Assassin".[4]

He likewise portrayed two different Korean characters in episodes of the TV series M*A*S*H, in 1972 and 1976. Ito acted in the 1976 film Midway as Minoru Genda, the leader of the 1942 attack on Midway Island. In 1976, he was cast as forensic lab technician Sam Fujiyama, a regular supporting role he played for seven years on Quincy, M.E. As of October 2024, Ito is the last surviving major cast member of the show.

His other film credits include The Terminal Man (1974), Rollerball (1975), Peeper (1976), Special Delivery (1976), Black Sunday (1977), SST: Death Flight (1977), The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984), Pray for Death (1985), Aloha Summer (1988) and The Vineyard (1989). Ito guest-starred on the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Coming of Age" as TAC officer Lt. Chang and on Star Trek: Voyager as John Kim (Harry Kim's father).

Voice roles include such programs and films as Avatar: The Last Airbender, Captain Planet and the Planeteers, Animaniacs, Bonkers, Batman: The Animated Series, Jackie Chan Adventures, Fantastic Max, Superman: The Animated Series, SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron, My Little Pony and Friends, Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?, Biker Mice from Mars, Quack Pack, Capitol Critters, ProStars, Justice League, Darkwing Duck, Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers, Iron Man, The Karate Kid, A Pup Named Scooby-Doo, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures, Rambo and the Forces of Freedom, The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan, Savage Dragon, TaleSpin, Chuck Norris: Karate Kommandos, The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries, All Grown Up!, The Mummy: The Animated Series, Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo, The New Woody Woodpecker Show, The Wild Thornberrys, Jonny Quest vs. The Cyber Insects, and Gargoyles.

Selected filmography

[edit]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1966 Get Smart Number 3 Episode: "The Amazing Harry Hoo"; uncredited
1968 It Takes a Thief Chief Aide Episode: "When Good Friends Get Together"
1970-1974 Mannix Dr. Yoshiro, Dr. Sato, Doctor 3 episodes
1972-1974 Kung Fu Fong, Tim Lee, Smith 3 episodes
1976 Six Million Dollar Man: The Last Kamikaze Mission Guide
1976–1983 Quincy, M.E. Sam Fujiyama 147 episodes
1984 Magnum P.I. Ray Lum Episode: Jororo Farewell
1986 Rambo: The Force of Freedom Black Dragon / White Dragon Voice, 27 episodes
1988 Star Trek: The Next Generation Lt. Chang Episode: "Coming of Age"
1989 The Karate Kid Mr. Miyagi Voice, 13 episodes
1990 TaleSpin Wan-Lo Voice, episode: "Last Horizons"
1992-1993 Batman: The Animated Series The Ninja / Kyodai Ken Voice, 2 episodes[5]
1993 Animaniacs Matthew Kato Voice, episode: "Taming of the Screwy"[5]
1993 Highlander: The Series Johnny Leong Episode: "Revenge of the Sword"
1994 Gargoyles Dr. Ken Sato Voice, episode: "Deadly Force"[5]
1994 Highlander: The Series Hideo Koto Episode: "The Samurai"
1995-1996 Iron Man Mandarin Voice, 12 episodes[5]
1995 Jonny Quest vs. The Cyber Insects 427 Voice, television film
1995 The X-Files Dr. Shiro Zama 2 episodes
1995 The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries Charlie Smith Voice, episode: "A Ticket to Crime"[5]
1996 Quack Pack Dr. William Wu Voice, episode: "Feats of Clay"
1996 The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest President Horkarno, Pradad, Controller Voice, 2 episodes
1997 Superman: The Animated Series Awards Presenter, Dr. Teng Voice, 2 episodes[5]
1999 The King of Queens Mr. Fujita Episode: "Hungry Man"
2001 The Wild Thornberrys Asian Black Bear Voice, episode: "The Anniversary"[5]
2001 Star Trek: Voyager John Kim Episode: "Author, Author"
2001 The Mummy Lin Chou Voice, episode: "The Boy Who Would Be King"
2003 Justice League Mr. Hama Voice, episode: "Comfort and Joy"[5]
2006 Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo Mayor, Bookseller Voice, television film[5]
2007 All Grown Up! Hiro Watanabe Voice, episode: "Trading Places"
2008 Avatar: The Last Airbender Sun Warrior Chief Voice, episode: "The Firebending Masters"[5]
2008 Mater's Tall Tales Ito San Voice, episode: "Tokyo Mater"

Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1966 Women of the Prehistoric Planet Tang
1966 Dimension 5 Sato
1969 Some Kind of a Nut George Toyota
1973 Soylent Green Shoe Seller Uncredited
1973 The Naked Ape Samurai Warrior
1974 The Terminal Man Anesthetist
1974 Airport 1975 Passenger Uncredited
1975 Rollerball Houston Strategy Couch
1976 Peeper Butler
1976 Midway Minoru Genda
1976 Special Delivery Mr. Chu
1976 SST: Death Flight Roy Nakamura
1977 Black Sunday Japanese Man Uncredited
1978 Gray Lady Down Seaman at Base Uncredited
1984 The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension Tohichi Hikita
1985 Pray for Death Koga
1987 P.I. Private Investigations Kim
1988 Aloha Summer Ted Tanaka
1989 The Vineyard Auctioneer
1990 Crazy People Yamashita's Aide
1995 The War Between Us Mr. Kawashima
1996 Hollow Point Shin Chan
1999 The Omega Code Shimoro Lin Che
1999 Lima: Breaking the Silence President Fujimoro

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Robert Ito". Turner Classic Movies.
  2. ^ Quincy M.E., The Television Series. BearManor Media. October 2009. p. 168. ISBN 9781593934545.
  3. ^ "Flower Drum Song – Broadway Musical – 1960-1961 Tour | IBDB".
  4. ^ ""Kung Fu" The Assassin (TV Episode 1973)". IMDb. Retrieved 2021-07-07.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Robert Ito (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved November 11, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
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