Marlon Brando personally chose Okada for a co-starring role in his 1963
political potboiler "The Ugly American." This would be Okada's only
Hollywood film.
He was a supporter of the Japanese Communist Party.
Broke traditional Japanese "fierce samurai" stereotypes with more
haunting, sensitive, even comical performances in the 50s and
60s.
Founded a theatre company with actress wife Aiko Wada.