Yoshio Yoda, who starred in the ’60s sitcom McHale’s Navy, has died at 88. According to PEOPLE Magazine, Yoda died on January 13.
The actor was born in Tokyo on March 31, 1934, The Daily Mail reports. He studied law at Keio University before immigrating to the U.S. According to Legacy.com he eventually pursued acting, attending film school at the University of Southern California in 1958.
In 1961, USC’s film school was asked if they knew an actor who was fluent in English and Japanese. Yoda then earned his first movie role in “The Horizontal Lieutenant.” According to The Daily Mail, his performance in the movie helped him get the role of Fuji Kobiaji in McHale’s Navy. Kobiaji is Japanese prisoner of war who rises through the ranks of the Navy.
PEOPLE Magazine reports that Yoda appeared in every episode of the show. After the show ended, Yoda acted a few more times and pursued a career in producing. Eventually, he move away from acting and became the Assistant Vice President of Toyota Hawaii.
Yoda retired in Fullerton, California, where he passed away. He was predeceased by his son Edward Yuji Yoda. Before he died, Yoda asked than no services be held for him.
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