
Tetsu Komai
ActingAbout Tetsu Komai
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Tetsu Komai (駒井哲 Komai Tetsu) (April 23, 1894 – August 10, 1970), also known as Tetsuo Komai, was a Japanese-American actor, known for his minor roles in Hollywood films. Born in Kumamoto, Kyushu, Komai had small parts in over 50 films from the 1920s until the mid-1960s. In his early films, Tetsu, who was usually called on to play Chinese characters, was often described with derogatory terms such as "Chinaman,". He played the villain in many of his films. He immigrated to the United States in December 1907, arriving at the Port of Seattle; he lived in Seattle for several years after this initial immigration. During the Second World War, the actor, his wife, and their children were interned with groups of other Japanese-Americans and Japanese resident aliens at the Gila River War Relocation Center in Arizona from August 27, 1942 to November 3, 1945. He died in Gardena, California of congestive heart failure, aged 76. Description above from the Wikipedia article Bette Davis, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Tetsu Komai reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 47 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Tetsu Komai'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 15% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Tetsu Komai remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Letter, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Tetsu Komai Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Tetsu Komai's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Tetsu Komai.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | The Night Walker | Gardener | Hit | Similar → |
| 1952 | Japanese War Bride | Japanese servant | Average | Similar → |
| 1949 | Tokyo Joe | Lt. Gen. 'The Butcher' Takenobu (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | Sundown | Kuypens' Shenzi Aide (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1941 | Adventures of Captain Marvel | Chan Lai | Average | Similar → |
| 1940 | The Letter | Head Boy | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | The Real Glory | Alipang | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Torchy Blane in Chinatown | Lem Kee (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1937 | West of Shanghai | General Mah | Flop | Similar → |
| 1937 | The Singing Marine | Chang | Flop | Similar → |
| 1937 | That Man's Here Again | Wong | Flop | Similar → |
| 1937 | China Passage | Wong (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1937 | History Is Made at Night | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | Isle of Fury | Kim Lee | Flop | Similar → |
| 1936 | The Princess Comes Across | Kawati | Average | Similar → |
| 1936 | Roaming Lady | General Fang | Flop | Similar → |
| 1936 | Klondike Annie | - | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | Hong Kong Nights | Wong | Flop | Similar → |
| 1935 | China Seas | Malay Pirate (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | Oil for the Lamps of China | Ho | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Now and Forever | Hotel Manager Mr. Ling | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Four Frightened People | Native Chief | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | White Woman | - | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | Island of Lost Souls | M`ling | Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | The Secrets of Wu Sin | Wu Sin | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | War Correspondent | Fang | Flop | Similar → |
| 1932 | Roar of the Dragon | Messenger on Horseback | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | Radio Patrol | Valet (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1932 | Border Devils | The General | Flop | Similar → |
| 1932 | Prestige | Sergeant | Average | Similar → |
| 1931 | Daughter of the Dragon | Lao (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1931 | East of Borneo | Hrang the Raftsman | Flop | Similar → |
| 1931 | The Criminal Code | Convict | Average | Similar → |
| 1930 | East is West | Hop Toy | Flop | Similar → |
| 1930 | East Is West | Hop Toy | Flop | Similar → |
| 1930 | The Sea Wolf | Igo - Waiter in Honky Tonk (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1930 | The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1929 | Welcome Danger | Florist Henchman (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1929 | Bulldog Drummond | Chong | Hit | Similar → |
| 1929 | Chinatown Nights | Woo Chung, Riley's principal henchman | Flop | Similar → |
| 1928 | The Woman from Moscow | Groom | Flop | Similar → |
| 1928 | Moran of the Marines | Sun Yat | Flop | Similar → |
| 1927 | Streets of Shanghai | Chang Ho | Flop | Similar → |
| 1927 | Shanghai Bound | Scarface | Flop | Similar → |
| 1927 | Mr. Wu | Executioner (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1926 | Tell It to the Marines | Hangchow Leader | Average | Similar → |
| 1926 | Old Ironsides | Pirate (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
Tetsu Komai - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Tetsu Komai?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Tetsu Komai is "The Letter" with a rating of 7.3/10.
How many movies has Tetsu Komai acted in?
Tetsu Komai has been featured in at least 47 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Tetsu Komai?
Other notable films include "Oil for the Lamps of China", "Island of Lost Souls", and "Now and Forever".




