Miyoshi Umeki

Miyoshi Umeki 梅木 美代志 Umeki Miyoshi or ミヨシウメキ Miyoshi Umeki May 8 1929 August 28 2007 was a Japanese American singer and actress She was best known for being the first Asian actor to win an Academy Award for her acting debut as Katsumi in the romantic drama film Sayonara 1957 Umeki was also best known for playing Mrs Livingston in the television series The Courtship of Eddies Father 19691972 and for playing Mei Li in the broadway musical Flower Drum Song which earned her a nomination for a Tony Award She would later reprise the role for the musicals 1961 film adaptation