SESSUE HAYAKAWA - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 294700

SESSUE HAYAKAWA
Shown as Colonel Saito in The Bridge on the River Kwai, signing in English and in Japanese script
Photograph signed: "With my best regards/Sessue Hayakawa/[signature in Japanese characters]". B/w, 10x8. Captioned movie still from The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957). Japanese-born stage, screen and television actor Sessue Hayakawa (1889-1973), born Kintaro Hayakawa, began his career on the stage in Japan, becoming part of a Japanese theatrical company that toured the U.S. in 1913. The following year, he became an overnight success in U.S. silent films after being signed to a movie contract and appearing in The Wrath of the Gods and The Typhoon (both 1914). The first Asian-American film star, Hayakawa also became one of the highest paid actors of his day, although his heavy accent limited his roles with the advent of sound. After WWII, Hayakawa became a character actor, appearing in such films as Tokyo Joe (1949), The Geisha Boy (1958), Swiss Family Robinson (1960) and The Big Wave (1961). He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Colonel Saito in The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957). In 1958, Hayakawa made his TV debut on Kraft Television Theatre, and he would also be seen on the small screen on episodes of Studio One, Wagon Train and Route 66. After he retired from films in 1966, Hayakawa became Zen Buddhist priest. Corners worn. Notches at right edge. Signature in poor contrast but legible. Edges creased. Otherwise, fine condition.