Although born in the United States, his uncle was the noted Japanese actor and acting teacher Koreya Senda.
Cult fans would best remember him as the evil explorer Clark Nelson who kidnaps the Fairie Twins from Infant Island and brings about the wrath of Mothra in the sci-fi film Mothra (1961) [Mothra].
A popular performer and emcee in Tokyo following WWII, he spoke both Japanese and English. Died of pneumonia while battling stomach cancer.
In addition to his work on stage, screen and television, he also worked as a nightclub singer.
In 1997 he suffered a stroke. He returned to the United States for therapy. He eventually regained is ability to both speak and sing.