Sab Shimono facts for kids

Saburo Shimono (下野 三郎, Shimono Saburō, born July 31, 1937), known as Sab Shimono, is an American actor. He has Japanese family roots. Sab started his acting career on stage in Broadway shows and other theaters. He starred in popular musicals like Mame and Pacific Overtures. Sab has also appeared in many movies and TV shows. Some of his well-known roles are in Midway, Gung Ho, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, and The Shadow. He also voiced characters in cartoons like Jackie Chan Adventures and Samurai Jack.

Early Life and Education

Sab Shimono was born and grew up in Sacramento, California. His parents, Edith Mary and Masauchi Shimono, owned a restaurant.

During World War II, a difficult time for many Japanese Americans, Sab and his family were sent to special camps. These camps were called the Tule Lake War Relocation Center and the Granada War Relocation Center. Sab later played a character in a TV show who had a similar experience.

He went to Sacramento High School. After that, he studied at the University of California, Berkeley.

Sab Shimono's Acting Career

Sab Shimono has performed in many plays on Broadway and in other famous theaters. These include the American Conservatory Theater and Berkeley Repertory Theatre in California.

Stage Performances

In 1966, he played the character Ito in the hit Broadway musical Mame. He acted alongside the famous actress Angela Lansbury. He also appeared in Lovely Ladies, Kind Gentlemen in 1970. In 1976, he played Manjiro in the musical Pacific Overtures. He returned to this musical in 2004, playing Lord Abe. Sab was also nominated for an award for his role in the play The Wash. He has worked closely with theater groups like the East West Players and South Coast Repertory.

Movie Roles

Sab Shimono has been in many films. He played Lt. Tomonaga in the 1976 movie Midway. In the 1986 comedy Gung Ho, he was Saito. He also appeared as Hiroshi Kawamura in Come See the Paradise (1990). In Presumed Innocent (1990), he played the coroner "Painless" Kumagai.

Later, he was Dr. Max Shinoda in Suture (1993). Kids might remember him as Lord Norinaga in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993). He also acted with John Travolta and Robin Williams in Old Dogs (2009), playing Yoshiro Nishimura. In 1994, he was Dr. Tam in The Shadow. Sab also voiced Subotai in the 1982 film Conan the Barbarian.

Television Appearances

On television, Sab Shimono starred in the 2008 miniseries Samurai Girl. He is well-known for his voice acting in cartoons. He was the voice of Uncle Chan, the antique-shop owner, in Jackie Chan Adventures. He also voiced the older Emperor (Jack's father) in Samurai Jack.

Sab was the voice of Airbending Master Monk Gyatso and Master Yu in Avatar: The Last Airbender. He also voiced Mister Sparkle and Master Sushi Chef on The Simpsons. From 2012 to 2015, he was the voice of Mr. Murakami in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series. He also appeared in TV shows like Two and a Half Men and M*A*S*H.

Filmography

Movies

Television Shows