Clyde Kusatsu Explained

Clyde Kusatsu
Birth Date:13 September 1948
Birth Place:Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, U.S.
Alma Mater:Northwestern University
Occupation:Actor
Years Active:1973–present
Children:2
Website:clydekusatsu.com

Clyde Kusatsu (born September 13, 1948) is an American actor. A prolific character actor, he has appeared in over 300 film and television productions since his debut in 1970.[1] He is the Secretary of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, after previously serving as a four-term President of the SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Local and National Vice President Los Angeles, from 2013 through 2020.[2]

Early life and education

Kusatsu was born in Hilo, Hawaii in 1948 to Japanese American parents. He attended ʻIolani School where he began acting and in Honolulu summer stock. He attended Northwestern University as a theatre major, during which time he was the only Asian-American student enrolled at the school. He graduated in 1970, and then joined the East West Players, the oldest Asian-American theatre company in Los Angeles.

Acting career

After several years of stage acting, Kusatsu got his first TV role on Kung Fu where was in four episodes. On M*A*S*H he played three roles in four episodes. Kusatsu also played Rev. Chong on several episodes of All in the Family.

Kusatsu has been a regular on several television series, beginning with Bring 'Em Back Alive on CBS (1982–83) and the Hawaii-set medical drama Island Son on CBS (1989–90), playing the Richard Chamberlain character's best friend, Dr. Kenji Fushida. His many television movies have included the film adaptation of Farewell to Manzanar (1976) about Japanese-American internment during World War II. (Kusatsu also guest-starred on an episode of Lou Grant about Japanese internment in the U.S.) Other television films and mini-series have been And The Sea Will Tell, and American Tragedy playing Judge Lance Ito. He was in the Baa Baa Black Sheep episode "Prisoners of War" as a downed Japanese fighter pilot in the Pacific (1976); Golden Land (1988), a Hollywood-set drama based on a William Faulkner story; and the AIDS docudrama And the Band Played On (1993). Kusatsu also had a recurring role as Vice Admiral Nakamura on . In comedy he also portrayed Principal Shimata in several episodes of the 1990s ABC situation comedy Family Matters, the usual foil of that series' main protagonist Steve Urkel. He later was in Margaret Cho's short-lived ABC series All American Girl (1994–1995), the first Asian-American family sitcom in the U.S., as Cho's character's father. In films he has worked with Toshiro Mifune in Midway (1976) and again in John Frankenheimer's Black Sunday (1977) and The Challenge (1981). Kusatsu had roles in (1993), In the Line of Fire (1993), and in American Pie (1999). Other films include Shopgirl as Mr. Agasa, and in Sydney Pollack's The Interpreter (2005) as Lee Wu, chief of security for the United Nations Headquarters. He also had a role opposite Glenn Close in Bruce Beresford's World War II drama Paradise Road (1997).

In soap operas he had the recurring role of Dr. Dennis Okamura on The Young and the Restless on CBS as well as guest appearances on The Bold and the Beautiful, General Hospital, and Days of Our Lives.He is currently recurring as Wei Shin on "Days Of Our Lives'. He also appeared as four different characters on Magnum, P.I., including the Vietnamese Colonel Ki character who severely wounds Thomas Magnum (Tom Selleck), and in another two episodes he played HPD Detective Gordon Katsumoto. In the CBS Movie of the Week, he was the original Wong in Dr. Strange (1978).

Labor activities

In 2012 the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Actors (AFTRA), the two labor unions for actors, merged into SAG-AFTRA, and in 2013 Kusatsu became the first elected President of the new SAG-AFTRA Local in Los Angeles. He was also elected the first National Vice President Los Angeles and was re-elected to that office four times, until 2021 when Michelle Hurd was elected to the position.[3] He remains a vocal supporter of union issues, particularly those related to the Film and Television industries. His roles during this period included a part in The Grinder and the father-in-law of Ken Jeong's character in Dr. Ken, and in film, commercials, and voice-over animation, such as The Grocer in Curious George, Netflix' Blue Eye Samurai and Phaeton on AMC+. Kusatsu guest-starred on the second season of Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story. He was Grandpa Ted in Season 2 of Netflix' Never Have I Ever, and was in episodes of Young Rock, Days of Our Lives, and The United States of Al.

Personal life

Kusatsu has been married to his wife, Gayle (nee Shuffler), since 1976. They have two sons, Kevin and Andrew, together.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1974Airport 1975PassengerUncredited
1976Alex & the GypsyX-Ray Technician
MidwayCommander Watanabe Yasuji
1977Black SundayFreighter Captain
Oh, God!Supermarket EmployeeUncredited
The Choirboys Officer Francis Tanaguchi
1978Go Tell the SpartansColonel Minh
1979The Frisco KidMr. Ping
MeteorYamashiro
1981...All the MarblesClyde Yamashito
1982The ChallengeGo
Lookin' to Get OutParking Attendant
1984Gimme an 'F'Japanese Businessman
1985VolunteersSouvanna
1986Shanghai SurpriseJoe Go
1989Turner & HoochKevin Williams
WiredThomas Noguchi
Gross AnatomyInterviewing Professor
1990Bird on a WireMr. Takawaki
1991The Perfect WeaponDetective Wong
Pizza ManYasuhiro Nakasone
1993Silent Cries Saburo Saigo
History Teacher
Hot Shots! Part DeuxPrime Minister SotoUncredited
Made in AmericaBob Takashima
In the Line of FireSecret Service Agent Jack Okura
Rising SunShoji Tanaka
Dream LoverJudge Kurita
1995Top Dog Captain Ken Callahan
1996Spy HardNoggin
Aladdin and the King of ThievesAsian Thief
1997Paradise RoadSergeant "The Snake" Tomiashi
1998GodzillaJapanese Tanker Captain
1999American PieEnglish Teacher
2001Mr. YamashiroVoice[4]
Dr. Dolittle 2BeeVoice
2002A Ribbon of DreamsFred
2003The Singing DetectiveJapanese Doctor
The United States of LelandJudge
BachelormanMr. Yi
Hollywood HomicideDr. Owen Chung
2004GasMr. Sang
PaparazziDr. Hanson
2005Pretty PersuasionJudge Carl Munro
The InterpreterLee Wu
Extreme DatingJoe
ShopgirlMr. Agasa
Rumor Has ItConference Attendee
2007Drive-ThruFred Fukizaki
Broken AngelDondi
2008Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo BayMr. Lee
2009Love HappensCab Driver
Why Am I Doing This?Himself
2010Sex Tax: Based on a True StoryJudge
A Nanny for ChristmasMr. Halligan
2012Any Day NowDr. Nakahura
2013The Face of LoveSushi Chef
The MomentDr. Nunakawa
47 RoninDrunken Official
2021The Summit of the GodsSherpa (voice)English dub

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1973–1974Kung FuLama Campo Kushog / Han Su Lok / Po San / Ying's Son5 episodes
1973–1982M*A*S*HKwang Duk / Captain Paul Yamato / Sergeant Michael Yee4 episodes
1974TenaflyAirline AttendantEpisode: "Man Running"
IronsideParking AttendantEpisode: "Friend or Foe"
Get Christie Love!Police Sketch ArtistEpisode: "Deadly Betrayal"
MannixJapanese AttacheEpisode: "Enter Tami Okada"
1975Harry OThe CoronerEpisode: "The Acolyte"
Ellery QueenMateoEpisode: "The Adventure of the Blunt Instrument"
1976The Blue KnightEngEpisode: "The Great Wall of Chinatown"
Farewell to ManzanarTeddy WakatsukiTelevision film
Spencer's PilotsJesseEpisode: "The Code"
DelvecchioMedical ExaminerEpisode: "Board of Rights"
AliceHerb TanaguchiEpisode: "Mother-in-Law: Part 1"
Baa Baa Black SheepCaptain Tenyu ArakiEpisode: "Prisoners of War"
Hawaii Five-OJerry QuanEpisode: "Yes, My Deadly Daughter"
1976–1978All in the FamilyReverend Chong3 episodes
1977Quinn Martin's Tales of the UnexpectedKenjiEpisode: "The Mask of Adonis"
The Rockford FilesNguyenEpisode: "New Life, Old Dragons"
1977–1981Quincy, M.E.Dr. Randolph Mitzubi / Hokaido2 episodes
1977–1982Lou GrantKen Watanabe / Ralph Tumora2 episodes
1978Dr. StrangeWongTelevision film
TaxiPaulEpisode: "Come as You Aren't"
1979SupertrainShimaju FukudaEpisode: "The Green Girl"
1980Hello, LarryHotel ClerkEpisode: "The Rock Star: Part 2"
A Perfect MatchDr. Tommy ChangTelevision film
BensonStanEpisode: "Thick as Thieves"
1980–1987Magnum, P.I.Detective Gordon Katsumoto / Dr. Long Tang / Colonel Ki / Colonel Ky In Flashback / Naval Medical Examiner8 episodes
1981Knots LandingDr. Akura2 episodes
1982The Powers of Matthew StarLeeEpisode: "Experiments"
1982–1983Bring 'Em Back AliveAli14 episodes
1982–1984Simon & SimonMr. Tao / Gerald2 episodes
1983We Got It MadeMarcelEpisode: "Mickey Goes Topless"
WebsterDoctorEpisode: "Travis"
MasqueradeSushiEpisode: "Girls for Sale"
1984VelvetDr. YashimaTelevision film
Cagney & LaceyRaulinoEpisode: "Unusual Occurrence"
Crazy Like a FoxNickEpisode: "Pilot"
1985Three's a CrowdMr. KatsumuraEpisode: "A Case of Sour Grapes"
DallasDr. Albert MatsudaEpisode: "Bail Out"
T. J. HookerTran TamEpisode: "Outcall"
HunterLieutenant Raymond LauEpisode: "Night of the Dragons"
1985–1986MacGyverSam / AnekEpisode 1.2 "The Golden Triangle"/1 episodes
1986Remington SteeleSan FranciscoEpisode: "Steele, Inc."
The Fall GuyBilly LokEpisode: "Trial by Fire"
Trapper John, M.D.Dr. Sung KangEpisode: "Heart and Seoul"
Alfred Hitchcock PresentsDetectiveEpisode: "The Creeper"
Intimate EncountersProfessor IkedaTelevision film
Together We StandChaoEpisode: "Betrothal"
ALFSkydiverEpisode: "Jump"
1987DynastyDr. ChenEpisode: "A Love Remembered"
Shell GameDaniel ChoEpisode: "Pai Gow"
SidekicksDr. ToshEpisode: "The Patusani Always Rings Twice"
L.A. LawJudge T.S. MasuokaEpisode: "Sparky Brackman R.I.P."
StingrayAttending SurgeonEpisode: "Anytime, Anywhere"
The HighwaymanChairman MorotanaEpisode: "The Highwayman"
The Facts of Life"Budget Bob"Episode: "Down and Out in Malibu: Part 2"
Laguna HeatThe CoronerTelevision film
MistressMikiTelevision film
1988WiseguyKenny Sushia3 episodes
Tour of DutyLTC ThoEpisode: "Angel of Mercy"
Who's the Boss?Kim LeeEpisode: "The Two Tonys"
Run Till You FallFujimotoTelevision film
Murphy's LawDervaEpisode: "The Room Above the Indian Grocery"
ThirtysomethingDr. RichardsEpisode: "The Mike Van Dyke Show"
1989Annie McGuireAmbassador KuklaEpisode: "Soft Hearted Annie"
The Hogan FamilySam MatsudaEpisode: "Secretarial Poole"
The Road RaidersShimotoTelevision film
Small WonderMr. SaitoEpisode: "Thy Neighbor's Wife"
The SmurfsAdditional VoicesEpisode: "Smurfs That Time Forgot"
1989–1990Island SonDr. Kenji Fushida19 episodes
1989–1994Admiral Tujiro Nakamura3 episodes
1990Revealing Evidence: Stalking the Honolulu StranglerLieutenant AriotoTelevision film
Parker Lewis Can't LoseMr. LoopmanEpisode: "Pilot"
In the Line of Duty: A Cop for the KillingMatsumoTelevision film
1991Dear JohnOfficer #2Episode: "John and Kirk's Excellent Adventure"
A Different WorldKinishiwa RepresentativeEpisode: "The Cash Isn't Always Greener"
And the Sea Will TellEnokiTelevision film
Good & EvilTensingEpisode: "Pilot"
Lies Before KissesLieutenant HandTelevision film
JailbirdsLieutenant HandTelevision film
Baby of the BrideDr. ChangTelevision film
1991–1992Captain Planet and the PlaneteersDr. Chang (voice)3 episodes
1991–1994Family MattersPrincipal Edgar Shimata3 episodes
1992The Legend of Prince ValiantChung Ling-Su (voice)Episode: "The Dawn of Darkness"
Civil WarsToshio FurukawaEpisode: "Denise and De Nuptials"
RavenKen TanakaEpisode: "Return of the Black Dragon"
Designing WomenLewisEpisode: "Trial and Error"
The Streets of Beverly HillsGudmunssenTelevision film
1992–1999Beverly Hills, 90210Coroner / Frank2 episodes
1993Class of '96Professor AshiraEpisode: "Midterm Madness"
SirensBilly CotaEpisode: "Everybody Lies"
And the Band Played OnBlood Bank ExecutiveTelevision film
Public Affairs OfficerEpisode: "Pilot"
Mighty MaxHanuman (voice)Episode: "The Maxnificent Seven"
1994The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.Roy ShimamuraEpisode: "Brooklyn Dodgers"
Deconstructing SarahOfficer OkawaTelevision film
IslanderVoice, episode: "Volcanus Erupts!/The Origin of Dr. Viper"
All-American GirlBenny Kim18 episodes
1994–1995Fantastic FourKarnak / Dr. NevilleVoice, 4 episodes
1994–1997Walker, Texas RangerDetective Danny Cho / Dr. Sweeney2 episodes
1995EllenJudge Mitchell SungEpisode: "Three Strikes"
Phantom 2040AkiraVoice, episode: "Down the Line"
MarkerDetective AkidaEpisode: "Discovery"
The Wayans Bros.Mr. MitsumotoEpisode: "Brazilla vs. Rodney"
Favorite Deadly SinsSaint PeterTelevision film
1995–1999The Sylvester & Tweety MysteriesMr. Kim / Soh FishimeneVoice, 2 episodes
1996Maybe This TimeNoriyukioEpisode: "Break a Leg"
GargoylesKai / Dr. ArnadaVoice, 2 episodes
Mighty DucksTai Quack DoEpisode: "Power Play"
Murder OneDr. YamashitaEpisode: "Chapter Two, Year Two"
1996–1997The Real Adventures of Jonny QuestDr. Zin / GuardVoice, 4 episodes
1997Touched by an AngelDr. RobertsonEpisode: "Forget-Me-Not"
Bruno the KidEngineer / ChangVoice, 2 episodes
Party of FiveJudge Michael A. KatsuEpisode: "Past Imperfect"
Total SecuritySeiji IngawaEpisode: "The Never Bending Story"
Pinky and the BrainHamaVoice, episode: "Big in Japan"
City GuysDr. MortiaEpisode: "Future Shock"
Extreme GhostbustersVarious CharactersVoice, 2 episodes
City GuysDr. MortiaEpisode: "Future Shock"
1998The CloserTed KasaharaEpisode: "Pilot"
Adventures from the Book of VirtuesRich Man / ServantVoice, episode: "Gratitude"
Dr. CornellVoice, episode: "Little Girl Lost"
Stressed EricKanagawa-SanVoice, episode: "Tidy"
Bill MorishiTelevision film
The NetGreg LinEpisode: "Kill the Buddha"
Histeria!Hongxi / Peking ManVoice, 2 episodes
Buddy FaroLieutenant WongEpisode: "Touched by an Amnesiac"
Chicago HopeFrank FentonEpisode: "Viagra-Vated Assault"
MaggieAssisting SurgeonEpisode: "Art History"
Vengeance UnlimitedJudge Clyde KurosawaEpisode: "Legalese"
Japanese Border Patrol AgentVoice, episode: "Competition"
Mickey Mouse WorksAdditional VoicesEpisode: #1.1"
1998–2002The PracticeJudge Stephen Chin2 episodes
1999Rude AwakeningMr. TranhEpisode: "Trude Awakening"
Dharma & GregAlEpisode: "Welcome to the Hotel Calamari"
Any Day NowJudge C. EastlakeEpisode: "It's Not You, It's Me"
For Your LoveMr. SatoEpisode: "The Couple's Court"
1999–2000Batman BeyondCoach Fitz, Mr. Tan, Jimmy Lin, Mr. FongVoice, 4 episodes
1999–2002ProvidencePediatrician / Henry Yamada2 episodes
2000The West WingJoeEpisode: "Lord John Marbury"
RugratsMr. HasagawaVoice, episode: "Incredible Shrinking Babies/Miss Manners"
Pepper AnnMayor KimVoice, episode: "The Sellout/The Telltale Fuzzy"
The PretenderLi HoEpisode: "The Agent of Year Zero"
Ally McBealDr. Myron Okubo2 episodes
Buzz Lightyear of Star CommandRanger #1 / Warden YungVoice, 2 episodes
Malcolm in the MiddleIce Cream ManEpisode: "Traffic Jam"
American TragedyJudge Lance ItoMiniseries
JAGSenator Theodore Fujiwara / Captain Morimoto2 episodes
2001The DivisionUnknownEpisode: "Secrets and Lies"
Citizen BainesGrant Tanaka4 episodes
The Wild Thornberrys: The Origin of DonnieSun BearVoice, television film
The Grim Adventures of Billy & MandyJapanese Scientist / Japanese Business GuyVoice, episode: "Smell of Vengeance/Fiend Is Like Friend Without the 'r'"
Jackie Chan AdventuresGang LeaderVoice, episode: "Mother of All Battles"
Kusunoki TachiVoice, 5 episodes
Justice LeagueJapanese AmbassadorVoice, episode: "Secret Origins"
Family LawJudge Paul Hamawaki2 episodes
2001–2003Samurai JackFather / Old Man / Dad / Grand MasterVoice, 3 episodes
2002Even Stevens"Tex" NagitaEpisode: "The King Sloppy"
Dan Dare: Pilot of the FutureDagg / Ling / EquinoxVoice, 3 episodes
2003Days of Our LivesNobuEpisode: "#9569"
What's New, Scooby-Doo?Dr. Akira Onodera / Fisherman / Desk ClerkVoice, episode: "Big Appetite in Little Tokyo"
Nip/TuckDr. HiroshiEpisode: "Adelle Coffin"
The Lyon's DenJudgeEpisode: "Ex"
One on OneYoonEpisode: "East Meets East Coast"
2003–2005Mr. Wong / Bald Tourist / Luau Host / Mayor KimVoice, 7 episodes
2004EverwoodEdward OgawaEpisode: "Your Future Awaits"
Head MonkTelevision film
NakasumiVoice, television film
2004–2006Still StandingJohnny3 episodes
2005The CloserDr. TanakaEpisode: "Pilot"
Strong MedicineDr. Stan LiemEpisode: "Rhythm of the Heart"
Monk Pasang / Calm Man / StorytellerVoice, 4 episodes
NumbersAntiquities DealerEpisode: "Bones of Contention"
2006CharmedLo PanEpisode: "12 Angry Zen"
MonkJudge RienzoEpisode: "Mr. Monk Gets Jury Duty"
Maya & MiguelMaggie's DadVoice, episode: "After School"
Additional VoicesTelevision film
SharkJudge ChudacoffEpisode: "Déjà Vu All Over Again"
Boston LegalJudge Matsumura2 episodes
2006–2007Mr. TakahashiVoice, 4 episodes
2006–2021Curious GeorgeThe Grocer / Mr. Okano / Hideki / Radio AnnouncerVoice, 9 episodes
2006–2012The Young and the RestlessDr. Dennis Okamura27 episodes
2007PandemicDr. Kenji ItoMiniseries
ERReview Board Doctor #1Episode: "Dying is Easy"
A.T.O.M.Master KwanVoice, 2 episodes
FuglyDoctorTelevision film
2008The Spectacular Spider-ManTed TwakiVoice, episode: "Reaction"
ChuckMorimotoEpisode: "Chuck Versus Tom Sawyer"
2009Back at the BarnyardWise OneVoice, episode: "Pig Amok/Sun Cow"
The Secret SaturdaysChongVoice, episode: "Curse of the Stolen Tiger"
DollhouseDr. MakidoEpisode: "Belonging"
The GrocerVoice, television film
2009–2016NCISMr. Rin / Benjamin Franklin2 episodes
2010–2011Judge Bradley Rumford2 episodes
2010–2012The Bold and the BeautifulJudge Clayton4 episodes
2011$#*! My Dad SaysMortimer FooEpisode: "The Better Father"
Hawaii Five-0Judge KamaleiEpisode: "Loa Aloh"
Fairly LegalJoseph ChangEpisode: "My Best Friend's Prenup"
2011–2015The Penguins of MadagascarShingenVoice, 2 episodes
2012New GirlJudgeEpisode: "Jess & Julia"
The Legend of KorraAdditional VoicesEpisode: "The Voice in the Night"
Scooby-Doo! Mystery IncorporatedPicnickerVoice, episode: "Heart of Evil"
2013Ben and KateMr. SuEpisode: "Father-Daughter Dance"
Franklin & BashJudge Marcus KohEpisode: "Out of the Blue"
Raising HopeMr. LeeEpisode: "Burt Bucks"
2015General HospitalJudge ChanEpisode: "#13256"
Major LazerStore OwnerVoice, episode: "Fizzy Fever"
The GrinderJoseph YaoEpisode: "Giving Thanks, Getting Justice"
2015–2016Dr. KenJerry2 episodes
2016SenatorEpisode: "12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m."
2017DoubtDr. Benjamin LauEpisode: "Then and Now"
Madam SecretaryChoden GyatsoEpisode: "Swept Away"
Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!Mr. KagawaVoice, episode: "The Curse of Kaniaku"
DiceJudge SmithEpisode: "The Trial"
2018Designated SurvivorJapanese Finance Minister OmonoEpisode: "In the Dark"
The Cool KidsNormanEpisode: "Thanksgiving at Murray's"
2019The Lion GuardDomogVoice, episode: "Ghost of the Mountain"
2021Never Have I EverTed Yoshida2 episodes
2022The Really Loud HouseMr. YanagaEpisode: "The Banana Split Decision"
2003, 2022–presentDays of Our LivesNobu / Mr. Wei Shin

Video games

YearTitleRole
2007Driver '76Mr. Zhou[5]
Spider-Man 3Dragon Tail Leader / Additional Voices

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Clyde Kusatsu. The New York Times. https://web.archive.org/web/20140428234650/https://www.nytimes.com/movies/person/13768/Clyde-Kusatsu. April 28, 2014.
  2. News: 2014-07-05 . SAG-AFTRA Foundation Board SAG-AFTRA Foundation . 2024-01-20 . SAG-AFTRA Foundation . en-US.
  3. Web site: Fran Drescher Elected SAG-AFTRA President . COP Communications Inc. . Fall–Winter 2021 . July 13, 2023.
  4. Web site: Clyde Kusatsu (visual voices guide) . October 1, 2023 . Behind The Voice Actors. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
  5. Sumo Digital. Driver 76 . . Ending credits, 2:32:09 in, Voice Actors . 2007.