Conrad Yama

Conrad Yama Biography

Conrad Yama born Kiyoshi Conrad Hamanaka, October 8, 1919 - March 10, 2010, was an Asian American theatre, film and television actor.

Born in Fresno California, Yama's first major credits were television appearances in Asian specific roles. In New York, he made his first appearance on Broadway in the original production of Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Flower Drum Song as Dr. Li, and understudying Keye Luke's character. It was a significant musical due to being one of the first instances of Asian characters being played by Asians, whereas white actors in Asian makeup was the norm, such as in The King and I. Later Broadway credits included the musicals I Had a Ball, Plenty, and Pacific Overtures where he played a trio of roles. Yama auditioned for the role of Mr. Oshira, an elderly English speaking Okinawan craftsman in the musical Lovely Ladies, Kind Gentlemen. The part eventually went to David Thomas, a white actor. Off-Broadway, Yama originated roles in Plenty during its pre-Broadway run, and in Frank Chin's Year of the Dragon.

Yama's film credits include playing the title role, an unnamed Mao Zedong opposite Gregory Peck in The Chairman, as well as a number of small and supporting roles in film and made for TV movies. Highlights include The King of Marvin Gardens, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, the made for TV version of Year of the Dragon as Pa Eng, the father of George Takei's character, and Midway as Admiral Nobutake Kond?. In The Godfather, Yama played the fruit-seller during the Don Corleone shooting scene. His performance in Pacific Overtures was recorded when the entire production was broadcast on Japanese TV in 1976. Yama died on March 10, 2010.

His professional name "Yama" means "mountain" in Japanese.

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