James Shigeta holds the distinction of being the only Asian American actor groomed as a romantic lead in pre-modern times. Born in Hawaii, the Nisei son of a Honolulu contractor, Shigeta was educated at New York University and served in the U.S. Marines. Cast as Wang Ta, the ultramodern eldest son of a conservative patriarch in Flower Drum Song, Shigeta gained instant international stardom for his boyish good looks and screen presence. Then came A Bridge to the Sun opposite Carroll Baker with a role that many consider to be his finest performance. Shigeta was again a romantic lead. It was a daring match because it paired an Asian man and a Caucasian woman. The story, set in Japan during World War II, was based on fact.