Rodney Kageyama
Encyclopedia
Rodney Kageyama is an American stage, film and TV actor. He is a Nisei Japanese American
(second-generation).
In 2007, Kageyama was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
. He underwent chemotherapy
and as of spring 2008 was declared cancer-free.
. While in San Francisco he attended the American Conservatory Theatre. In 1979 Kageyama moved to Los Angeles where he joined the Asian American theatre
group, East West Players
(EWP), working not only as an actor, but also as a director and designer. In 1985 he received a Drama-Logue Award
for Costume Design for EWP's Rashomon
. In 1993, Kageyama directed The Grapevine, written by Grateful Crane Ensemble
founder Soji Kashiwagi
, produced at the Los Angeles Theatre Center. In spring 2001 Kageyama played Erronius in an all Asian American
production of the musical, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
at EWP in Los Angeles.
, The Next Karate Kid
and Gung Ho
. He was also featured in the Golden Dreams
film exhibit which opened the Disney's California Adventure
theme park. He has appeared in many TV shows including Quantum Leap and Home Improvement.
at the Japanese American National Museum
, where he does story telling for visiting children. He is also an animal advocate and helps place dogs in homes.
Nisei
During the early years of World War II, Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated from their homes in the Pacific coast states because military leaders and public opinion combined to fan unproven fears of sabotage...
(second-generation).
In 2007, Kageyama was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
The non-Hodgkin lymphomas are a diverse group of blood cancers that include any kind of lymphoma except Hodgkin's lymphomas. Types of NHL vary significantly in their severity, from indolent to very aggressive....
. He underwent chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with an antineoplastic drug or with a combination of such drugs into a standardized treatment regimen....
and as of spring 2008 was declared cancer-free.
Theatre
Kageyama began his career in San Francisco as one of the original members of the Asian American Theater CompanyAsian American Theater Company
Asian American Theater Company is a non-profit theatre performance company based in San Francisco.-Background:The Asian American Theater Company was established in 1973 by playwright Frank Chin to develop and present original works of theatre about Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander descent...
. While in San Francisco he attended the American Conservatory Theatre. In 1979 Kageyama moved to Los Angeles where he joined the Asian American theatre
Asian American theatre
Asian American theater is theater written, directed or acted by Asian Americans.- Background :Asian American theater emerged in the 1960s and the 1970s with the foundation of four theatre companies: East West Players in Los Angeles, Asian American Theatre Workshop in San Francisco, Theatrical...
group, East West Players
East West Players
East West Players is an Asian American theatre organization in Los Angeles, founded in 1965. As one of the nation's first Asian American theatre organizations, East West Players today continues to produce works and educational programs that give voice to the Asian Pacific American...
(EWP), working not only as an actor, but also as a director and designer. In 1985 he received a Drama-Logue Award
Drama-Logue Award
The Drama-Logue Award was a theater award established in 1977, given by the publishers of Drama-Logue newspaper, a weekly west-coast theater trade publication. Winners were selected by the publication's theater critics, and would receive a certificate at an annual awards ceremony...
for Costume Design for EWP's Rashomon
Rashomon (play)
Though Akira Kurosawa's film Rashomon is the most famous instance, Akutagawa's stories have also been adapted for the stage.- Source material :...
. In 1993, Kageyama directed The Grapevine, written by Grateful Crane Ensemble
Grateful Crane Ensemble
The Grateful Crane Ensemble is a non-profit 501 Asian American theatre company based in Southern California, established in July, 2001.-Mission:...
founder Soji Kashiwagi
Soji Kashiwagi
Soji Kashiwagi is a Sansei journalist, playwright and producer. He is the Executive Producer for the Grateful Crane Ensemble theatre company in Los Angeles...
, produced at the Los Angeles Theatre Center. In spring 2001 Kageyama played Erronius in an all Asian American
Asian American
Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
production of the musical, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart....
at EWP in Los Angeles.
Film & TV
He has acted on many films, notably The Karate Kid, Part IIThe Karate Kid, Part II
The Karate Kid, Part II is a 1986 American martial arts film and is a sequel to 1984's The Karate Kid. Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita reprise their roles as Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi, respectively. The original music score was composed by Bill Conti...
, The Next Karate Kid
The Next Karate Kid
The Next Karate Kid is a 1994 American martial arts drama film starring Hilary Swank and Pat Morita. It is the fourth and final film in the original The Karate Kid series. It was directed by Christopher Cain, written by Mark Lee with music by Bill Conti. This is the only film in the original...
and Gung Ho
Gung Ho (film)
Gung Ho is a 1986 Ron Howard comedy film, released by Paramount Pictures, and starring Michael Keaton and Gedde Watanabe. The film's story portrayed the takeover of an American car plant by a Japanese corporation...
. He was also featured in the Golden Dreams
Golden Dreams
Golden Dreams is a film about the history of California. It was a featured attraction at Disney's California Adventure Park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, opening with the park on February 8, 2001. It starred Whoopi Goldberg as Califia, the Queen of California. On September 7,...
film exhibit which opened the Disney's California Adventure
Disney's California Adventure
Disney California Adventure, or simply California Adventure, is a theme park in Anaheim, California, adjacent to Disneyland Park and part of the larger Disneyland Resort. It opened on February 8, 2001 as Disney's California Adventure Park. The park is owned and operated by the Walt Disney Parks and...
theme park. He has appeared in many TV shows including Quantum Leap and Home Improvement.
Community work
Kageyama is heavily involved in community activity, often volunteering for various organizations. He has served as an emcee and directed shows for many charitable events. He is a docentDocent
Docent is a title at some European universities to denote a specific academic appointment within a set structure of academic ranks below professor . Docent is also used at some universities generically for a person who has the right to teach...
at the Japanese American National Museum
Japanese American National Museum
The opened its doors in 1992. The idea for the museum was originally thought up by Bruce Kaji with help from other notable Japanese American people at the time. The museum is located in the Little Tokyo an area near downtown Los Angeles, California. It is devoted to preserving the history and...
, where he does story telling for visiting children. He is also an animal advocate and helps place dogs in homes.
Honors and awards
- 2006 "Community Treasures" Award, Cherry Blossom Festival of Southern California
- 2005 "Rae Creevey" Award (for volunteer service), East West PlayersEast West PlayersEast West Players is an Asian American theatre organization in Los Angeles, founded in 1965. As one of the nation's first Asian American theatre organizations, East West Players today continues to produce works and educational programs that give voice to the Asian Pacific American...
39th Anniversary Awards