Goro Suzuki (Soo, Jack)

1916 - Goro Suzuki, born on the 28th of October in Oakland, California. A genial, laidback, slumber-eyed character player especially adept at the relaxed wisecrack or dry comment, Japanese-American actor.

1958 - In the post-WWII years he entertained as a stand-up performer in nightclubs and had made a reasonable dent on the Midwest circuit by the time he earned his big break playing Sammy Fong in the Rodgers and Hammerstein hit Broadway musical "Flower Drum Song".

1961 - Won the honor of transferring his role to film and decided to settle in Hollywood.

1963 - 1968 - A few other films including Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed?, the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie, and John Wayne's controversial pro-Vietnam War The Green Berets.

1970 - He is probably best remembered for his smart-aleck Detective Sgt. Nick Yemana on "Barney Miller," one of the more popular sitcoms, alongside Hal Linden and Abe Vigoda.

1971 - A typical lack of roles for Asian-Americans, he managed to find a niche for his hip, deadpan demeanor on TV.

1979 - He died of cancer during the show's fifth season on the 11th of January at the height of his popularity.