James Shigeta in Die Hard (1988). Photo: 20th Century Fox

Actor James Shigeta, best known for his roles in Die Hard, and Flower Drum Song, has died, a representative for the actor said. He was 81.

Shigeta, who was born in Hawaii and has Japanese ancestry according to film database IMDB, died peacefully in his sleep in Los Angeles, his agent Jeffrey Leavitt said.

The actor rose to prominence in the 1960s with a series of film and television roles, and won a Golden Globe for most promising male newcomer. He played the leads in 1961’s musical film Flower Drum Song and Bridge to the Sun, and a vice admiral in 1976’s World War II film Midway.

In 1988, the actor was a key supporting cast member in Die Hard alongside Bruce Willis.

The actor is survived by three brothers and one sister, Leavitt said.