Children (first marriage): son Marlon and daughter Serena.
Her father was a secretary to the Japanese ambassador to Canada. It was while living in Ottawa, Canada's capital, when Nobu was born.
In 1989, she was selected to replace Mako and served as artistic director of the East West Players until 1993.
In later years, she had arthritis that sometimes made her move in a way that made her look older than she was.
Played the title role in a stage production of "The World of Suzie Wong" opposite John Smith in 1965.
She is survived by two children from her first marriage, Marlon of Monrovia and Serena of Northern California and three brothers.
She trained at the Pavlova School of Ballet in Kamakura, Japan, from 1947 to 1953, sang with choral groups on stage and radio, and became a successful model.
Twice played the love interest of Pat Morita. First in "Happy Days: Arnold's Wedding (#3.24)" (1976) and then, later, in The Karate Kid, Part II (1986).
Was discovered by a talent agent while shopping in the Little Tokyo section of Los Angeles.
Won Miss Tokyo beauty pageant.