Filipina American actress leaves legacy for actors

SUMI HARU - not exactly a household name in America - is one of those actresses who (behind the scenes) fought long and hard for more roles - substantive roles - for Asian actors and paved the way for a new generation of Asian actors to get better roles.

Sumi Sevilla Haru

Born Mildred Sevilla in New Jersey, she died in Los Angeles Oct. 16 at the age of 75.

It seems she spent more time as an activist than she did in front of the camera. In her leadership role with the Screen Actors Guild or marching in picket lines protesting the stereotypical roles handed out to Asian American actors, she was adamant about not settling for the stereotypical roles Hollywood envisioned for her and other Asian actors.  

Here's the story that appeared in the Los Angeles Times about her passing.

I remember interviewing Sumi Haru for an article for the San Francisco-based Philippine News in the late 1970s. She told me then that she took on the name Sumi Haru to make sure the casting directors and producers knew they were hiring an Asian actress. With the name of Sevilla, it would have been easy to be mistaken for a Latina actress. Besides, she said with a smile letting me in on the joke, there were zero roles for Fililpinas.

Here's a video of her explaining why she changed her name from Mildred (Mimi) Sevilla to the more exotic Sumi Haru. 

Ironically, through the Internet, we have a lot of footage of her. We're fortunate to have her work placed on Youtube for historical purposes, particularly this month which is Filipino American Historical Month. Even after all of her advocacy, it is still difficult for Hollywood to see Asian Americans as fully-fleshed out individuals with interesting, significant, heart-rending or action-pounding stories of their own.

Later in her career, she added back her maiden name so she became Sumi Sevilla Haru.

For all you budding Asian American actors and actresses, you are indebted to her. It would be to your benefit to hear Haru's story - her Filipina American story. 

RIP, Mimi SEVILLA. Thank you!

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