Miyoshi Umeki Hood, 78, was born May 8, 1929, at Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan. She died Aug. 28, 2007, at Licking Park Manor.
She married Randall F. Hood on oct. 26, 1968. They had one son.
Mrs. Hood was an Academy-Award wining actress best known for her roles as Katsumi in the 1958 film “Sayonara” and as housekeeper Mrs. Livingston in the TV series, “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father” from 1969 to ’72.
She began her career as a nightclub singer in Japan under the name of Nancy Umeki before moving to the U.S. She won an Oscar for best supporting actress for her first film role in “Sayonara,” becoming the first Asian to win. She was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway premier production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “Flower Drum Song” in 1958. She appeared in only four more motion pictures, most notably in the film version of “Flower Drum Song” in 1961.
As a recording artist, she made several records for RCA Victor Japan and appeared in some musical shorts.
After her appearance as a regular for one season on the Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts, she signed with the Mercury Records label and released several singles and two albums.
Other awards and nominations: Golden Globe Nominee in 1971 for best supporting actress on television, 1962 for best motion picture actress in a musical/comedy, 1958 for best supporting actress, TV Land Award nominee in 2004 for favorite made-for-TV maid.
After her retirement from the entertainment industry, she ran an editing machine business in Los Angeles for several years.
At age 73, she moved to Licking to be closer to her grandchildren. She enjoyed taking shopping trips to Houston with the Bridge Builders van.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
Surviving are her son, Michael Randall Hood of Licking; and two grandchildren.
Graveside services were Sept. 1 at the Boone Creek Cemetery with Connie Bell and the Rev. James Miller officiating under the direction of Fox Funeral Home.
