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Sab Shimono

Sab Shimono

Actor · Born July 31, 1937 (89) · Sacramento, California, United States

Saburo "Sab" Shimono (born July 31, 1937) is an American actor. He began his career on stage on Broadway and in regional theaters, starring in musicals like Mame, Lovely Ladies, Kind Gentlemen, and Pacific Overtures. He has appeared in dozens of films, including Midway (1976), Gung Ho (1986), Presumed Innocent (1990), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993), Waterworld (1995), Southland Tales (2006), and Old Dogs (2009). He also has extensive television credits including episodes of M*A*SH, Quincy, M.E., Remington Steele, The X-Files, Seinfeld, Mad Men, and The Blacklist. Shimono's voice roles include Uncle Chan in Jackie Chan Adventures, the Emperor in Samurai Jack, and Monk Gyatso in Avatar: The Last Airbender.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 31, 1937 (89)
From
Sacramento, California, United States
Works as
Actor
Titles
54 on MovieCove · 83 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 64 days to Oct 27Down 21% in 30 days

What are Sab Shimono's films like?

Across their 15 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 43rd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Animation2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 84th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Animation movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 58th percentile
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
29%
Morality
18%
Self
16%
Survival
13%
Society
13%
Power
11%
Family bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeTradition vs change3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 14 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 5 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 5

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 1 · Charged 9 · Intense 4

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 3 · Shifting 11 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 8 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 8 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 6 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 2

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 7 · Affecting 4 · Heavy 3

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 10 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

6 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 3 of 6 analyzed roles.

Mentor
3 of 6
Hero
2 of 6
Threshold guardian
1 of 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
7
Thrilling
8
Dread
4
Contemplative
5
Melancholic
5
Other
14

How their films linger

Fun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet9
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Sab Shimono's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 37 of their 54 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (13).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Sab Shimono's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

83 credits, 54 with a MovieCove page.

  • The Activated Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Mr. Hideyoshi

  • Operation Othello (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Brabantino

  • Magnum P.I.(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as George Nakamura

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • The Terror(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Kazu

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Samurai Jack: The Premiere Movie(2001)

    as The Emperor (voice)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • The Watcher(2016)

    as Wendell

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Flaked(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Wild Bill

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Legends of Tomorrow(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Ichiro Yamashiro

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • The Blacklist(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Daniel Nakamoto

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Family Gathering (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Actor

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Murakami (voice)

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Longmire(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Francis Igawa

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • The Arcadian(2011)

    as Moto

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Hawaii Five-0(2010)

    Show 2 episodes · as Uncle Keako

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Old Dogs(2009)

    as Yoshiro Nishamura

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Half Kenneth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Takahiro

  • Scooby-Doo and the Samurai Sword(2008)

    as Mr. Takagawa (voice)

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Sensei (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Taki Nakano

  • Ben 10: Race Against Time(2007)

    as Old Man

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Southland Tales(2006)

    as Hideo Takehashi

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Mad Men(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Ichiro Kimura

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Legion of Super Heroes(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as K3NT (voice)

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Americanese (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Wood Ding

  • Avatar: The Last Airbender(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Additional Voices (voice) · as Gyatso (voice) · as Master Yu (voice) · as Master Yu / Additional Voices (voice)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Justice League Unlimited(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Monk (voice)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Two and a Half Men(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Hiroshi

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Robot Stories (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as John

  • Par 6 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Mr. Watsabi

  • Samurai Jack(2001)

    Show 2 episodes · as Emperor (voice)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Ice Planet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Karteez Rumla

  • Jackie Chan Adventures(2000)

    Show 95 episodes · as Uncle (voice)

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Jack & Jill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Tanaka

  • Life Tastes Good(1999)

    as Harry

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • The Big Hit(1998)

    as Jiro Nishi

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Paradise Road(1997)

    as Colonel Hirota

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Steve Harvey Show(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Bobby Wong

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • Waterworld(1995)

    as Elder

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • ER(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Okida

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • All-American Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Sammy

  • The Shadow(1994)

    as Dr. Roy Tam

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • 3 Ninjas Kick Back(1994)

    as Koga

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Suture (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Dr. Max Shinoda

  • The X-Files(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Gung Bituen

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III(1993)

    as Lord Norinaga

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Silent Cries (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Natsume

  • Come See the Paradise(1990)

    as Mr. Kawamura

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Hiroshima: Out of the Ashes(1990)

    as Dr. Fujita

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Presumed Innocent(1990)

    as 'Painless' Kumagai

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • The Simpsons(1989)

    Show 3 episodes · as Master Sushi Chef (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Seinfeld(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Executive #1

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Dear John (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Charlie Moura

  • The Wash (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Sadao

  • Blind Date(1987)

    as Mr. Yakamoto

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Gung Ho (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 9 episodes · as Mr. Saito

  • Gung Ho(1986)

    as Saito

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Airwolf(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Ko

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

  • Where the Toys Come From (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Kenji

  • Newhart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Sunatra

  • Remington Steele(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Kenji Ito · as Sam Kuromatsu

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Knight Rider(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Hito Osaka

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Tales of the Gold Monkey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Challenge(1982)

    as Toshio Yoshida

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Cagney & Lacey(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as Cunningham

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Conan the Barbarian(1982)

    as Subotai (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • American Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Sadao · as Takahashi Hosoume

  • Modesty Blaise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Weng

  • Nice Dreams(1981)

    as Oriental Bus Boy

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Palmerstown, U.S.A. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Knots Landing(1979)

    Show 2 episodes · as Pharmacist

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • When Hell Was in Session(1979)

    as Cao

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Hart to Hart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Mandrake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Ho

  • Rabbit Test (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Chinese Leader

  • And the Soul Shall Dance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Murata

  • Quincy, M.E. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Governor Tokamo · as Ito · as Tokamo

  • Pacific Overtures(1976)

    as Manjiro

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Midway(1976)

    as Lt. Tomonaga

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Pueblo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as North Korean Officer

  • M*A*S*H(1972)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • The Waltons(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Parades (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Togo

  • The Hospital(1971)

    as Operating Room Staff Member (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Loving(1970)

    as Byron

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 83 titles from 1970 to 2024; peak year 1994.

Biggest box office

The Shadow (1994)

$48M worldwide

Highest rated

Samurai Jack: The Premiere Movie (2001)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Jackie Chan Adventures (2000)

Film career

19702024

Peak 1994 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 2 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting83 of 83: 83 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score62nd

By decade

1970s15 · acting1980s20 · acting1990s17 · acting2000s17 · acting2010s13 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 0% of 18 roles
829297

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Sab Shimono's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 48th percentile, the median of all 27; across their 14 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 46th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Approval · how many liked their films

47thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Reach · how many have seen their films

77thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Midcredits score across 54 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up22
  • 50th to 74th12
  • 25th to 49th14
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

21 of their 54 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved11
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser21
  • Broadly Agreed5
  • Mixed16

Most divisive · actor

The Arcadian (2011)

82nd percentile spread · 15% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Samurai Jack: The Premiere Movie (2001)

Midcredits 99th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 61/100 in their films, across 13 reviewed titles; fans 71, detractors 31. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Sab Shimono's work okay for kids?

Across up to 5 MovieCove titles with content scores, 1 of the 3 categories sits near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 41 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity5 titles14–44 · median 30 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 29 · mildMedian of all films: 36

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Sab Shimono work with?

People who share at least 2 of Sab Shimono's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Mako shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Composers