Yuji Okumoto is an American actor who is best known for his villainous roles in movies. One of his most notable roles is as Chozen Toguchi in The Karate Kid Part II. Yuji portrayed Pestilence in the 2005 film The Crow: Wicked Prayer.
Early Life[]
Yuji Don Okumoto was born on April 20, 1959 in Los Angeles, California. Yuji is a third generation Japanese American. He attended Hollywood High School and played baseball and basketball. He attended Cal State Fullerton where he took up acting. Yuji has been involved with several theater companies, one of which was the East West Players where he appeared in the play Webster Street Blues.
Career[]
Yuji’s first film role was in the 1985 comedy film Real Genius as Fenton. Later that same year he appeared as Yee Sook Ree, a Korean immigrant, in the film Better Off Dead. He is well known for his portrayal of Chozen Toguchi in The Karate Kid Part II. He played Shu Kai Kim in the 1989 film True Believer alongside James Woods and Robert Downey Jr. Yuji was also in the 1999 Disney Channel original movie Johnny Tsunami and it’s 2007 sequel, Johnny Kapahala: Back on Board. In 2005, Yuji appeared in the films Only the Brave and The Crow: Wicked Prayer. He was also in the 2010 thriller Inception.
Personal Life[]
Yuji lives with his family in Seattle, Washington where they own a Hawaiian themed restaurant, Kona Kitchen/Yuji Lounge.
Trivia[]
- Many of the Asian characters that Yuji usually portrays are either Chinese or Korean
- Yuji practices Chito- Ryu Karate, Shotokan, Kajukenbo, Judo, Yau Kung Moon and Southern Style Gung Fu