Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role 1958
Miyoshi Umeki Sayonara 1958
SEX WORKER ROLE
Eiko in A Girl Named Tamiko 1962
Character Is A Prostitute
Miyoshi Umeki in A Girl Named Tamiko 1962
The name Eiko in “A Girl Named Tamiko” has a beautiful ring. After her success with both the Broadway and film versions of “Flower Drum Song,” Miyoshi took the role of Eiko. However, it seems such a throwaway part as she has nothing to do. In fairness, roles for Asians are still pretty limited even today. So back in the 1960s, they were practically non-existent. As an Asian performer, you have to take what you get offered. In this film, Miyoshi plays a kindhearted Japanese prostitute living in Tokyo. Within the first 30 minutes of the film, her white male lover dumps her.
Watch clip of the film “A Girl Named Tamiko”
To read more about this prostitute role & other Oscar-winning actresses playing a hooker, please continue perusing
If you know of this actress playing more than one prostitute role, please tweet to me and let me know! I’ll gladly add it to the page here. My Twitter handle is at the top of this page.