Helen Funai: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Helen Funai.jpg|thumb|frameless|right|400px|Helen Funai]]
[[File:Helen Funai.jpg|thumb|frameless|400px|Helen Funai]]


'''Helen Funai''', born on January 25, 1943, in Los Angeles, California, is a Japanese-American actress and producer who has made significant contributions to the entertainment industry over several decades. Raised in a vibrant Japanese-American community, Helen's early life was marked by the cultural richness of her heritage, which she proudly carried into her career.


Helen Funai was born on January 25, 1943 in Los Angeles, California, USA. She is known for Our Man Flint (1966), My Three Sons (1960) and Best of the Best (1989). She was previously married to Harry Eugene Erickson Jr.
==Acting Career==


She was the 1963 Nisei Week Pageant Queen.
Helen Funai's acting career began in the 1960s, a time when opportunities for Asian-American actors were scarce. Despite the challenges, Helen's talent and perseverance paved the way for a remarkable career in both television and film. She appeared in numerous popular TV shows, including:
 
* Bewitched (1968): She charmed audiences with her guest appearance in this magical sitcom.
* M*A*S*H (1973): Helen's role in this critically acclaimed series highlighted her dramatic skills.
* Hawaii Five-O (1978-1980): She brought her talent to this beloved crime drama.
* Dynasty (1985): Helen was part of the glitz and glamour of this iconic 80s soap opera.
 
==Film Appearances==
 
Helen Funai's film career is equally impressive. Her notable roles include:
 
• Our Man Flint (1966) as Sakito: Helen's performance in this spy spoof brought her recognition.
• A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966) as Tintinabula: She showcased her comedic and dance talents in this classic musical.
• Best of the Best (1989) as Tommy's Mother: Helen delivered a heartfelt performance in this martial arts drama.
 
==Personal Life==
 
Helen Funai's personal life is as fascinating as her professional one. She has an identical twin sister named Keiko, adding a unique twist to her family background. Helen was married to Harry Eugene Erickson Jr., with whom she had one child. Harry passed away on September 13, 2007. Helen has lived in the same house in Bel Air, California, for decades, a testament to her love for stability and home.
 
==Achievements and Milestones==
 
Helen Funai's career is dotted with numerous achievements and milestones. In 1963, she was crowned the Nisei Week Pageant Queen, a prestigious title that recognized her beauty and talent. In 1966, she was named a 'Deb Star,' further cementing her status in Hollywood.
 
One of Helen's most notable achievements was joining The Dingaling Sisters quartet for Season 8 of "The Dean Martin Show" in 1972. She made history as the first Asian-American member of the group, breaking racial barriers and paving the way for future generations of Asian-American performers.
 
==Other Work and Contributions==
 
In addition to her acting career, Helen Funai has made significant contributions behind the scenes. She worked as a choreographer for TV shows like "CHiPs" (1982) and "Sugar Time!" (1977-1978), showcasing her multifaceted talent in the entertainment industry.
 
Most recently, Helen is listed as an executive producer for a short film called "Ten Times Better" (2024), proving that her influence in Hollywood continues to this day.


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
Line 12: Line 42:
* Gidget Gets Married as Minnie Chan (1972)
* Gidget Gets Married as Minnie Chan (1972)
* Noble House (miniseries) as Mrs. Kwang (1988)
* Noble House (miniseries) as Mrs. Kwang (1988)
<div style="clear: both"></div>


==Television Roles==
==Television Roles==


{|
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%; text-align: center;"
! Original Air Date !! Net !! Show Name !! Episode Name !! Character Name
! style="width: 15%;" | Original Air Date
! style="width: 10%;" | Network
! style="width: 25%;" | Show Name
! style="width: 25%;" | Episode Name
! style="width: 25%;" | Character Name
|-
|-
| October 31, 1970 || CBS || Mission: Impossible (s5,e7) || Butterfly || Nobu Kellem
| October 31, 1970 || CBS || Mission: Impossible (s5,e7) || Butterfly || Nobu Kellem
Line 22: Line 58:
| December 27, 1970 || NBC || The Bill Cosby Show (s2,e14) || Teacher Of The Year || Miss Hillard
| December 27, 1970 || NBC || The Bill Cosby Show (s2,e14) || Teacher Of The Year || Miss Hillard
|-
|-
| March 20, 1971 CBS || My Three Sons (s11,e24) || After The Honeymoon || Tracy Lee
| March 20, 1971 || CBS || My Three Sons (s11,e24) || After The Honeymoon || Tracy Lee
|-
|-
| December 1, 1973 || CBS || M*A*S*H (s2,e12) || The Incubator || Betty Lou
| December 1, 1973 || CBS || M*A*S*H (s2,e12) || The Incubator || Betty Lou
Line 30: Line 66:
| January 31, 1975 || ABC || Baretta (s1,e3) || Woman In The Harbor || Kim
| January 31, 1975 || ABC || Baretta (s1,e3) || Woman In The Harbor || Kim
|-
|-
| September 20, 1975 || ABC || Matt Helm (s1,e1) || Dead Men Talk || Lin
| September 20, 1975 || ABC || Matt Helm (s1,e1) || Dead Men Talk || Lin
|-
|-
| September 22, 1976 || ABC || Baretta (s3,e1) || The Ninja || Nancy
| September 22, 1976 || ABC || Baretta (s3,e1) || The Ninja || Nancy
Line 40: Line 76:
| March 29, 1980 || CBS || Hawaii Five-O (s12,e19) || The Moroville Covenant || Margot Lawrence
| March 29, 1980 || CBS || Hawaii Five-O (s12,e19) || The Moroville Covenant || Margot Lawrence
|-
|-
| April 28, 1981 || NBC || The Misadventures Of Sheriff Lobo (s2,e14) || The Roller Disco Karate Kaper || Miss Cummings
| April 28, 1981 || NBC || The Misadventures Of Sheriff Lobo (s2,e14) || Roller Disco Karate Kaper || Miss Cummings
|-
|-
| October 24, 1982 || NBC || CHiPs (s6,e3) || The Spaceman Made Me Do It || Joy Fujino
| October 24, 1982 || NBC || CHiPs (s6,e3) || The Spaceman Made Me Do It || Joy Fujino
|-
| April 9, 1969 || NBC || I Spy (s4,e26) || Pinwheel || Mai Ling
|-
| December 11, 1969 || CBS || Mannix (s3,e13) || Shadow of a Man || Receptionist
|-
| January 7, 1970 || NBC || The Virginian (s8,e17) || Nightmare || Mrs. Koby
|-
| November 13, 1972 || NBC || The Sixth Sense (s2,e9) || Dear Joan, We're Going to Scare You to Death || May
|-
| March 21, 1975 || ABC || Kung Fu (s3,e23) || The Last Raid || Miss Chang
|-
| April 22, 1980 || NBC || B.J. and the Bear (s2,e14) || The Pride of the Yankees || Bubbles
|-
| November 27, 1981 || CBS || Magnum, P.I. (s2,e9) || The Taking of Dick McWilliams || Hana Matsuo
|-
| January 8, 1982 || CBS || The Love Boat (s5,e17) || The Lady from Laramie/The Maid and the Millionaire/The Sensuous Senator || Ah Ling
|-
| January 19, 1988 || NBC || Highway to Heaven (s4,e15) || Time in a Bottle || Judge Helen Watanabe
|-
| 1988 || NBC || Noble House || Multiple Episodes || Mrs. Kwang
|-
| 1986 || ABC || The Colbys || Multiple Episodes || Min
|-
| 1986 || CBS || Cagney & Lacey (s5,e6) || Entrapment || Sophy
|-
| 1986 || ABC || Hotel (s4,e20) || The Ties That Bind || The Nun
|-
| 1985 || ABC || Dynasty (s6,e3) || The Californians || Constance's Assistant
|-
| 1983 || CBS || Simon & Simon (s2,e12) || Matchmaker || Lisa Chen
|-
| 1982 || ABC || Terror at Alcatraz (TV Movie) || TV Movie || Nancy
|-
| 1979 || NBC || Quincy, M.E. (s5,e18) || Diplomatic Immunity || Dr. Helen Matsuro
|-
| 1971–1977 || NBC || Days of Our Lives || Multiple Episodes || Kim Douglas
|-
| 1972 || ABC || Gidget Gets Married || TV Movie || Minnie Chan
|-
| 1971 || CBS || Bonanza (s13,e26) || The Younger Brothers' Younger Brother || Lim Toy
|-
| 1971 || CBS || Josie's Castle || TV Movie || Jennifer
|-
| 1969–1971 || CBS || The Red Skelton Hour || Multiple Episodes || Native Girl / Woman
|-
| 1970–1976 || NBC || Somerset || Multiple Episodes || Lai Ling
|-
| 1969 || NBC || Gidget Grows Up || TV Movie || Minnie Chan
|-
| 1969 || CBS || Mannix (s2,e12) || Shadow of a Man || Joy Suk
|-
| 1968 || ABC || It Takes a Thief (s1,e7) || The Radomir Miniature || Lori Chan
|-
| 1968 || ABC || Bewitched (s4,e27) || The No-Harm Charm || Stewardess
|-
| 1967 || CBS || Gomer Pyle: USMC (s4,e11) || To Watch a Thief || Japanese Girl
|-
| 1967 || CBS || The Wild Wild West (s3,e6) || The Night of the Samurai || Japanese Maiden
|-
| 1967 || MGM || Gunn || Film || Japanese Twin (uncredited)
|-
| 1966–1967 || NBC || The Dean Martin Show || Multiple Episodes || Dancer
|-
| 1966 || Columbia Pictures || Murderers' Row || Film || Bath Attendant (uncredited)
|-
| 1966 || United Artists || A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum || Film || Tintinabula
|-
| 1966 || 20th Century Fox || Our Man Flint || Film || Sakito
|-
| 1966 || NBC || I Spy (s2,e8) || The War Lord || Kako
|}
|}


Latest revision as of 03:01, 16 July 2024

Helen Funai

Helen Funai, born on January 25, 1943, in Los Angeles, California, is a Japanese-American actress and producer who has made significant contributions to the entertainment industry over several decades. Raised in a vibrant Japanese-American community, Helen's early life was marked by the cultural richness of her heritage, which she proudly carried into her career.

Acting Career[edit]

Helen Funai's acting career began in the 1960s, a time when opportunities for Asian-American actors were scarce. Despite the challenges, Helen's talent and perseverance paved the way for a remarkable career in both television and film. She appeared in numerous popular TV shows, including:

  • Bewitched (1968): She charmed audiences with her guest appearance in this magical sitcom.
  • M*A*S*H (1973): Helen's role in this critically acclaimed series highlighted her dramatic skills.
  • Hawaii Five-O (1978-1980): She brought her talent to this beloved crime drama.
  • Dynasty (1985): Helen was part of the glitz and glamour of this iconic 80s soap opera.

Film Appearances[edit]

Helen Funai's film career is equally impressive. Her notable roles include:

• Our Man Flint (1966) as Sakito: Helen's performance in this spy spoof brought her recognition. • A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966) as Tintinabula: She showcased her comedic and dance talents in this classic musical. • Best of the Best (1989) as Tommy's Mother: Helen delivered a heartfelt performance in this martial arts drama.

Personal Life[edit]

Helen Funai's personal life is as fascinating as her professional one. She has an identical twin sister named Keiko, adding a unique twist to her family background. Helen was married to Harry Eugene Erickson Jr., with whom she had one child. Harry passed away on September 13, 2007. Helen has lived in the same house in Bel Air, California, for decades, a testament to her love for stability and home.

Achievements and Milestones[edit]

Helen Funai's career is dotted with numerous achievements and milestones. In 1963, she was crowned the Nisei Week Pageant Queen, a prestigious title that recognized her beauty and talent. In 1966, she was named a 'Deb Star,' further cementing her status in Hollywood.

One of Helen's most notable achievements was joining The Dingaling Sisters quartet for Season 8 of "The Dean Martin Show" in 1972. She made history as the first Asian-American member of the group, breaking racial barriers and paving the way for future generations of Asian-American performers.

Other Work and Contributions[edit]

In addition to her acting career, Helen Funai has made significant contributions behind the scenes. She worked as a choreographer for TV shows like "CHiPs" (1982) and "Sugar Time!" (1977-1978), showcasing her multifaceted talent in the entertainment industry.

Most recently, Helen is listed as an executive producer for a short film called "Ten Times Better" (2024), proving that her influence in Hollywood continues to this day.

Filmography[edit]

  • Our Man Flint as Sakito (1966)
  • A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum as Tintinabula (16 October 1966)
  • Gidget Gets Married as Minnie Chan (1972)
  • Noble House (miniseries) as Mrs. Kwang (1988)

Television Roles[edit]

Original Air Date Network Show Name Episode Name Character Name
October 31, 1970 CBS Mission: Impossible (s5,e7) Butterfly Nobu Kellem
December 27, 1970 NBC The Bill Cosby Show (s2,e14) Teacher Of The Year Miss Hillard
March 20, 1971 CBS My Three Sons (s11,e24) After The Honeymoon Tracy Lee
December 1, 1973 CBS M*A*S*H (s2,e12) The Incubator Betty Lou
October 25, 1974 NBC Sanford And Son (s4,e7) Home Sweet Home Miss Funai
January 31, 1975 ABC Baretta (s1,e3) Woman In The Harbor Kim
September 20, 1975 ABC Matt Helm (s1,e1) Dead Men Talk Lin
September 22, 1976 ABC Baretta (s3,e1) The Ninja Nancy
December 18, 1976 ABC Most Wanted (s1,e7) The Torch Miko
March 23, 1978 CBS Hawaii Five-O (s10,e20) Invitation To Murder Riah Barlow
March 29, 1980 CBS Hawaii Five-O (s12,e19) The Moroville Covenant Margot Lawrence
April 28, 1981 NBC The Misadventures Of Sheriff Lobo (s2,e14) Roller Disco Karate Kaper Miss Cummings
October 24, 1982 NBC CHiPs (s6,e3) The Spaceman Made Me Do It Joy Fujino
April 9, 1969 NBC I Spy (s4,e26) Pinwheel Mai Ling
December 11, 1969 CBS Mannix (s3,e13) Shadow of a Man Receptionist
January 7, 1970 NBC The Virginian (s8,e17) Nightmare Mrs. Koby
November 13, 1972 NBC The Sixth Sense (s2,e9) Dear Joan, We're Going to Scare You to Death May
March 21, 1975 ABC Kung Fu (s3,e23) The Last Raid Miss Chang
April 22, 1980 NBC B.J. and the Bear (s2,e14) The Pride of the Yankees Bubbles
November 27, 1981 CBS Magnum, P.I. (s2,e9) The Taking of Dick McWilliams Hana Matsuo
January 8, 1982 CBS The Love Boat (s5,e17) The Lady from Laramie/The Maid and the Millionaire/The Sensuous Senator Ah Ling
January 19, 1988 NBC Highway to Heaven (s4,e15) Time in a Bottle Judge Helen Watanabe
1988 NBC Noble House Multiple Episodes Mrs. Kwang
1986 ABC The Colbys Multiple Episodes Min
1986 CBS Cagney & Lacey (s5,e6) Entrapment Sophy
1986 ABC Hotel (s4,e20) The Ties That Bind The Nun
1985 ABC Dynasty (s6,e3) The Californians Constance's Assistant
1983 CBS Simon & Simon (s2,e12) Matchmaker Lisa Chen
1982 ABC Terror at Alcatraz (TV Movie) TV Movie Nancy
1979 NBC Quincy, M.E. (s5,e18) Diplomatic Immunity Dr. Helen Matsuro
1971–1977 NBC Days of Our Lives Multiple Episodes Kim Douglas
1972 ABC Gidget Gets Married TV Movie Minnie Chan
1971 CBS Bonanza (s13,e26) The Younger Brothers' Younger Brother Lim Toy
1971 CBS Josie's Castle TV Movie Jennifer
1969–1971 CBS The Red Skelton Hour Multiple Episodes Native Girl / Woman
1970–1976 NBC Somerset Multiple Episodes Lai Ling
1969 NBC Gidget Grows Up TV Movie Minnie Chan
1969 CBS Mannix (s2,e12) Shadow of a Man Joy Suk
1968 ABC It Takes a Thief (s1,e7) The Radomir Miniature Lori Chan
1968 ABC Bewitched (s4,e27) The No-Harm Charm Stewardess
1967 CBS Gomer Pyle: USMC (s4,e11) To Watch a Thief Japanese Girl
1967 CBS The Wild Wild West (s3,e6) The Night of the Samurai Japanese Maiden
1967 MGM Gunn Film Japanese Twin (uncredited)
1966–1967 NBC The Dean Martin Show Multiple Episodes Dancer
1966 Columbia Pictures Murderers' Row Film Bath Attendant (uncredited)
1966 United Artists A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Film Tintinabula
1966 20th Century Fox Our Man Flint Film Sakito
1966 NBC I Spy (s2,e8) The War Lord Kako

Trivia[edit]

  • She has an identical twin who is named Keiko.
  • Played in two different incarnations of 'Matt Helm from The Wrecking Crew (1968)': First in the movie Murderers' Row (1966), with Dean Martin playing the lead character, then 15 years later in the Matt Helm (1975) TV series' first episode (Matt Helm: Dead Men Talk (1975)) with Anthony Franciosa..
  • Joined The Dingaling Sisters quartet for Season 8 of The Dean Martin Show (1965) in 1972, breaking barriers as the first Asian-American member of the group.
  • Has lived in the same house in Bel Air, Californa for decades.
  • Was a 'Deb Star' of 1966.
  • Attended Los Angeles High School.

Appearances[edit]

  • Best of the Best as Tommy's Mother
  • 1988 Noble House (TV Mini Series) as Mrs. Kwang
    • Part IV (1988) ... Mrs. Kwang
    • Part III (1988) ... Mrs. Kwang
    • Part II (1988) ... Mrs. Kwang
    • Part I (1988) ... Mrs. Kwang
  • 1988 Highway to Heaven (TV Series) as Judge Helen Watanabe
    • Time in a Bottle (1988) ... Judge Helen Watanabe
  • 1986 The Colbys (TV Series) as Min
    • Checkmate (1986) ... Min
    • Double Jeopardy (1986) ... Min
  • 1986 Cagney & Lacey (TV Series) as Sophy
    • Capitalism (1986) ... Sophy
  • 1986 Hotel (TV Series) as The Nun
    • Facades (1986) ... The Nun
  • 1985 Dynasty (TV Series) as Constance's Assistant
    • The Man (1985) ... Constance's Assistant
  • 1983 Simon & Simon (TV Series) as Lisa Chen
    • The Secret of the Chrome Eagle (1983) ... Lisa Chen
  • 1982 CHiPs (TV Series) as Joy Fujino
    • The Spaceman Made Me Do It (1982) ... Joy Fujino
  • 1982 Terror at Alcatraz (TV Movie) as Nancy
  • 1981 The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (TV Series) as Miss Cummings
  • 1978-1980 Hawaii Five-O (TV Series) as Margo Lawrence / Riah Barlow
    • The Moroville Covenant (1980) ... Margo Lawrence
    • Invitation to Murder (1978) ... Riah Barlow
  • 1979 The Ordeal of Patty Hearst (TV Movie) as Wendy Yoshimura
  • 1979 Quincy M.E. (TV Series) as Dr. Helen Matsuro
    • A Question of Death (1979) ... Dr. Helen Matsuro
  • 1971-1977 Days of Our Lives (TV Series) as Kim Douglas
    • Episode #1.2859 (1977) ... Kim Douglas
    • Episode #1.2857 (1977) ... Kim Douglas
    • Episode #1.2771 (1976) ... Kim Douglas
    • Episode #1.2763 (1976) ... Kim Douglas
    • Episode #1.2754 (1976) ... Kim Douglas
    • 72 episodes
  • 1976 Most Wanted (TV Series) as Miko
    • The Torch (1976) ... Miko
  • 1975-1976 Baretta (TV Series) as Nancy / Kim
    • The Ninja (1976) ... Nancy
    • Woman in the Harbor (1975) ... Kim
  • 1976 I Will... I Will... For Now as Miss Ito
  • 1974-1975 Sanford and Son (TV Series) as Japanese Masseuse / Miss Funai
    • Sanford and Rising Son (1975) ... Japanese Masseuse (uncredited)
    • Home Sweet Home (1974) ... Miss Funai
  • 1975 Matt Helm (TV Series) as Lin
    • Dead Men Talk (1975) ... Lin
  • 1973 M*A*S*H (TV Series) as Betty Lou
    • The Incubator (1973) ... Betty Lou
  • 1973 The Young and the Restless (TV Series) as Sumiko (1980)
  • 1972 Gidget Gets Married (TV Movie) as Minnie Chan
  • 1970-1972 Marcus Welby, M.D. (TV Series) as Waitress / Joyce
    • The Basic Moment: Part 1 (1972) ... Waitress
    • To Get Through the Night (1970) ... Joyce
  • 1971 Bonanza (TV Series) as Lim Toy
    • Rock-A-Bye Hoss (1971) ... Lim Toy
  • 1971 Josie's Castle as Jennifer
  • 1971 My Three Sons (TV Series) as Tracy Lee
    • After the Honeymoon (1971) ... Tracy Lee
  • 1970 The Bill Cosby Show (TV Series) as Miss Hillard
    • Teacher of the Year (1970) ... Miss Hillard
  • 1970 Mission: Impossible (TV Series) as Nobu Kellem
  • 1970 Somerset (TV Series) as Lai Ling (1975-1976)
  • 1969 Gidget Grows Up (TV Movie) as Minnie Chan
  • 1969 The Red Skelton Hour (TV Series) as Woman / Chinese Drama
    • Why the Show Must Go On or The History of Opening Night (1969) ... Woman / Chinese Drama
  • 1969 Mannix (TV Series) as Joy Suk
    • Shadow of a Man (1969) ... Joy Suk
  • 1968 It Takes a Thief (TV Series) as Lori Chan
    • The Lay of the Land (1968) ... Lori Chan
  • 1968 Bewitched (TV Series) as Stewardess
    • A Majority of Two (1968) ... Stewardess
  • 1967 Gomer Pyle: USMC (TV Series) as Japanese Girl
    • A Child Shall Lead Them (1967) ... Japanese Girl
  • 1967 The Wild Wild West (TV Series) as Japanese Maiden
  • 1967 Gunn as Japanese Twin (uncredited)
  • 1966-1967 The Dean Martin Show (TV Series) as Dancer
    • Episode #2.18 (1967) ... Dancer (uncredited)
    • Episode #2.14 (1966)
  • 1966 Murderers' Row as the Bath Attendant (uncredited)
  • 1966 A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum as Tintinabula
  • 1966 Our Man Flint as Sakito
  • 1966 I Spy (TV Series)
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