Dale Ishimoto
ActingAbout Dale Ishimoto
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Dale Ishimoto (April 3, 1923 – March 4, 2004) was an American actor of Japanese descent. He was born in Delta, Colorado in 1923 and was raised in Guadalupe, California. After being sent to the Gila River internment camp in Arizona, Ishimoto volunteered to fight in World War II, joining the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. After two years, he was awarded a Purple Heart and given a medical discharge. After starting a business in Chicago, he moved back to California, where he grew up, and started his acting career by acting at the Altadena Playhouse. He became a "familiar figure" for playing "villainous Japanese soldiers". Over the course of his career, he acted in a wide variety of movies, such as a Japanese army captain in Beach Red (1967), a Korean doctor in MASH (1970), a karate instructor in Superchick (1973), and as Vice Admiral Boshiro Hosogaya in Midway (1976). He became famous in the late 1990s for his appearances in television commercials for Nissan in which he portrayed Yutaka Katayama, the company's former president. He also appeared in one episode of Wanted:Dead or Alive"
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Dale Ishimoto reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 25 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Dale Ishimoto's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 32% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Dale Ishimoto remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Cocoon, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Dale Ishimoto Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Dale Ishimoto's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Dale Ishimoto.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Sir John Mills' Moving Memories | Self (archive footage) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1998 | Inconceivable | Mr. Akiyama | Flop | Similar → |
| 1997 | Beverly Hills Ninja | Old Japanese Man | Average | Similar → |
| 1994 | In the Line of Duty: The Price of Vengeance | Mr. Ing | Average | Similar → |
| 1990 | Come See the Paradise | Mr. Ogata | Average | Similar → |
| 1984 | Ninja III: The Domination | Okuda | Average | Similar → |
| 1984 | Cannonball Run II | Japanese Businessman (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1982 | Dangerous Company | Mr. Hikaru | Average | Similar → |
| 1981 | Enter the Ninja | Komori | Flop | Similar → |
| 1977 | Mad Bull | Smitty | Flop | Similar → |
| 1976 | Midway | Vice Admiral Moshiro Hosogaya | Hit | Similar → |
| 1975 | Sharks' Treasure | Ishi | Flop | Similar → |
| 1974 | When the North Wind Blows | Yermak | Flop | Similar → |
| 1970 | The Games | Japanese Doctor | Hit | Similar → |
| 1970 | M*A*S*H | Korean Doctor (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1968 | Cocoon | Arcturus Construction Guard | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1967 | Beach Red | Capt. Tanaka | Hit | Similar → |
| 1965 | King Rat | Yoshima | Hit | Similar → |
| 1964 | Moro Witch Doctor | Manuel Romblon | Flop | Similar → |
| 1963 | PT 109 | Commander (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1962 | The Nun and the Sergeant | Pak | Flop | Similar → |
| 1961 | Operation Bottleneck | Matsu | Average | Similar → |
| 1960 | The Wackiest Ship in the Army | Japanese Pilot (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1960 | The Great Impostor | Korean Soldier (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1958 | Run Silent, Run Deep | Japanese sailor (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
Dale Ishimoto - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Dale Ishimoto?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Dale Ishimoto is "Cocoon" with a rating of 8.0/10.
How many movies has Dale Ishimoto acted in?
Dale Ishimoto has been featured in at least 25 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Dale Ishimoto?
Other notable films include "King Rat", "The Games", and "M*A*S*H".