Sumi Haru facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sumi Haru
Publicity Photo of Sumi Haru
Born	Mildred Sevilla (1939-08-25)August 25, 1939 Orange, New Jersey, United States
Died	October 16, 2014(2014-10-16) (aged 75) North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1969–1981, 2008–2014

Sumi Haru (also known as Sumi Sevilla Haru) was an American actress, producer, and writer. She was born on August 25, 1939, and passed away on October 16, 2014. Sumi Haru was famous for her roles in movies and TV shows like Krakatoa, East of Java, MASH, The Beverly Hillbillies, and Hill Street Blues.

She was also a very important leader in the entertainment industry. She was the first national vice-president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). This group helps actors with their jobs and rights. In 1995, she even served as the temporary president of SAG. She was the first woman of color to hold this top position.

Sumi Haru was born Mildred Sevilla in 1939 in Orange, New Jersey. Her parents were immigrants from the Philippines. When she started her acting career, she changed her name to Sumi Haru. She soon became involved in helping actors, especially those from Asian backgrounds. She wanted to make sure they had more chances to act and get good roles.

Sumi Haru joined the board of the Screen Actors Guild in 1974. She worked many terms as a national leader for the group. Her autobiography, Iron Lotus: Memoirs of Sumi Sevilla Haru, was published in 2012. The next year, she was chosen to be on the first national board of the new group called SAG-AFTRA. This group was formed when SAG joined with another actors' union.

Sumi Haru's Work for Actors

Sumi Haru worked hard to help actors from different backgrounds. She wanted to make sure that people of all ethnic groups were shown fairly in movies and TV. She also pushed for more job opportunities for them.

Helping Minority Actors

In 1971, Sumi Haru helped start a special committee at SAG. It was called the Ethnic Employment Opportunities Committee. This group worked to get "affirmative action" rules into contracts. Affirmative action means taking steps to make sure people from groups that have been treated unfairly get a fair chance.

In 1995, Sumi Haru became a national vice president of the AFL-CIO. This is a very large group of labor unions in the United States. She was the first Asian American to serve on its main council.

Leading Other Groups

Sumi Haru was also a co-president of the County of Los Angeles Media Image Coalition. This group works to get more roles and jobs for underrepresented groups in TV and film. She also helped start and lead the Association of Asian Pacific Artists.

In 1998, Sumi Haru received the Visionary Award from East West Players (EWP). This is one of the oldest Asian Pacific American (APA) theater companies in the U.S. She got the award for all her help to the APA community. She had been on EWP's board for 10 years and had acted in many of their plays.

Sumi Haru was also an executive board member of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance. She was a co-chair of the Rainbow Coalition Commission on Fairness in the Media. In 2009, she received SAG's Ralph Morgan Award. This award is given for great service to the Screen Actors Guild.

Later Life and Passing

Sumi Haru passed away on October 16, 2014, in North Hollywood, Los Angeles. She was 75 years old. She had been battling a lung disease called emphysema.

Sumi Haru's Acting Roles

Sumi Haru appeared in several movies and TV shows. Here are some of her roles: