Sessue Hayakawa quotes

Sessue Hayakawa was a Japanese actor who became one of Hollywood’s first international movie stars. His work challenged stereotypes and paved the way for Asian actors in Western cinema. He was renowned for his charismatic screen presence and is remembered for iconic roles such as in "The Bridge on the River Kwai." Here are 5 of his quotes:

I like America anyway. In Japan we are much more formal. If two friends are separated for a long time and they meet they bow and bow and bow. They keep bowing without exchanging a word. Here they slap each other on the back and say: Hello, old man, how goes everything.

Sessue Hayakawa

My one ambition is to play a hero.

Sessue Hayakawa

That is one reason so many of the Japanese pictures are not good, they cannot spare all the footage necessary for that bow, which is repeated over and over again.

Sessue Hayakawa

I shall ask to see whether they want me in dress clothes or in Japanese.

Sessue Hayakawa