Tetsu Komai
Tetsu Komai, also known as Tetsuo Komai, was a Japanese-born American actor, known for his minor roles in Hollywood films.
Biography
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.
Komai emigrated 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, following the signing of Executive Order 9066, 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 on 10 August 1970 at the age of 76 in Gardena, California of congestive heart failure.
Partial filmography
The Unchastened Woman Old Ironsides - Pirate Tell It to the Marines - Hangchow Leader Shanghai Bound - ScarfaceStreets of Shanghai - Chang HoDetectives - Chin LeeMoran of the Marines - Sun YatThe Woman from Moscow - GroomManchu Love Chinatown Nights - Woo Chung Bulldog Drummond - ChongWelcome Danger - Florist Henchman New York Nights - Waiter King of Jazz - Emcee, Japanese VersionThe Return of Dr. Fu Manchu - Chang The Sea Wolf - Igo, Waiter in Honky Tonk East Is West - Hop ToyOriente es Occidente - Hop ToyThe Criminal Code - Convict La mujer X - Bit Role East of Borneo - Hrang the Raftsman Daughter of the Dragon - Lao Prestige - SergeantShe Wanted a Millionaire - CharlieBorder Devils - The GeneralRadio Patrol - Valet The Texas Bad Man - Yat GowRoar of the Dragon - Messenger on Horseback War Correspondent - FangThe Mask of Fu Manchu - Swordsman The Secrets of Wu Sin - Wu SinThe Bitter Tea of General Yen - General Yen's Messenger Island of Lost Souls - M'lingA Study in Scarlet - Ah Yet White Woman - Chisholm Servant Four Frightened People - Native ChiefNow and Forever - Mr. Ling, Hotel ManagerThe Oil Raider - Chinese Cook Oil for the Lamps of China - HoChina Seas - Malay Pirate Without Regret - General Wu Chen Hong Kong Nights - WongEscape from Devil's Island - Ah Wong Klondike Annie - Lan Fang Roaming Lady - General FangThe Princess Comes Across - Detective KawatiIsle of Fury - Kim LeeHistory Is Made at Night - SOS Radio Operator China Passage - Wong That Man's Here Again - Wong The Singing Marine - ChangOutlaws of the Orient - Ho-Feng's Man West of Shanghai - General Ma Torchy Blane in Chinatown - Lem Kee The Real Glory - AlipangThe Letter - Head BoyAdventures of Captain Marvel - Chan Lai They Met in Bombay - Captain Chang's First Mate Sundown - Kuypens' Shenzi Aide Green Dolphin Street - Chinese Man Task Force - Japanese Representative Tokyo Joe - Lieutenant General 'The Butcher' Takenobu Japanese War Bride - Japanese ServantAlfred Hitchcock Presents - Old Bearded ManTank Battalion - 'Egg Charlie'Alfred Hitchcock Presents - Lum Fong HoTokyo After Dark - Father The Night Walker - Gardener