Born in Nanaura, Chiba, Japan. Forced to abandon plans for a naval career because of a partial loss of hearing, he turned to the Japanese stage and joined a troupe directed by an uncle. Shortly after, at age 19, he came to the US and enrolled at the University of Chicago. Returning to Japan, he formed the Japanese Imperial Company, with which he toured the American West in 1913. He was seen by Thomas H. Ince, who offered him a film contract. Exotic, expressive and "different," Hayakawa was an instant success as a screen personality. After his triumph in THE TYPHOON (1914), in which he co-starred with his wife, Tsuru Aoki, his fan mail was as abundant as that of any big Hollywood star of the era. The following year he impressed critics with his restrained performance as a lecherous villain in Cecil B. De Mille's THE CHEAT (1915), which stood in marked contrast to the exaggerated gestures of actors of the silent screen. Hayakawa's acting has since been described as a blend of "the Method" and Zen. Playing both exotic heroes and charming villains, he remained in Hollywood until 1923, then left for Europe, where he starred in many films, mostly French, and made occasional sojourns to Japan. In the late 1940s he made a Hollywood comeback in character parts. In 1957 he was nominated for an Oscar® for his portrayal of a Japanese officer in THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI (1957). Hayakawa also wrote a novel, a play, and the screenplay for THE SWAMP (1921).  Nominated Supporting Actor 1957: THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI 1 nomination