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Sessue Hayakawa (早川 雪洲, Hayakawa Sesshū, June 10, 1889 – November 23, 1973) was a Japanese and American Issei (Japanese immigrant) actor who starred in American, Japanese, French, German, and British films. He was as well known and popular as Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks. Hayakawa was the first and one of the few Asian actors to find stardom in the United States as well as Europe. He became the most popular heartthrob of early cinema and is referred to as the first male sex symbol of Hollywood before Rudolph Valentino. Often typecast as a sinister villain, coupled with... MORE

Sessue Hayakawa (早川 雪洲, Hayakawa Sesshū, June 10, 1889 – November 23, 1973) was a Japanese and American Issei (Japanese immigrant) actor who starred in American, Japanese, French, German, and British films. He was as well known and popular as Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks. Hayakawa was the first and one of the few Asian actors to find stardom in the United States as well as Europe. He became the most popular heartthrob of early cinema and is referred to as the first male sex symbol of Hollywood before Rudolph Valentino. Often typecast as a sinister villain, coupled with his brooding good looks led to millions of American women swooning for an affair with Hayakawa. His popularity, sex appeal and extravagant lifestyle angered the whites and blacks of American society, resulting in discriminatory stereotypes being created to make Asian men appear less appealing, fuelled with the belief of yellow peril. Many of these negative stereotypes continue to this day. He was one of the highest paid stars of his time; making $5,000 a week in 1915, and $2 million a year via his own production company during the 1920s. He starred in over 80 movies and has two films in the U.S. National LESS