In the decade prior to WWII, the Asian American dance duo Toy and Wing sold out theaters in New York and England, and were featured in three films. While most Asian roles were performed by white actors in yellowface, Toy and Wing broke through barriers constructed by the white entertainment industry and stunned audiences with their undeniable talent.
Actress and artistic director of East West Players.
A talented dancer and actress, Reiko Sato (1931–81) gained visibility as a performer on Broadway and in Hollywood and had some success fighting racial typecasting.
Versatile Nisei performer and literary artist who made her mark in mainstream circles in New York during the postwar era.
Minneapolis-born Cora Johnstone Best achieved international success as a mountaineer during the 1920s. She was a pioneer in the sport, becoming a licensed guide at a time when women were rarely given the opportunity to be lead climbers.
Civil rights activist Hilda Simms became a national celebrity for her leading role in the first all-Black performance of the Broadway show Anna Lucasta. Frustrated by her struggling career and the lack of roles for Black actors, Simms worked as the creative director for the New York State Human Rights Commission to address racial discrimination in the entertainment industry.
German-Mexican actress, researcher and academic
Argentine storyteller who became a Mexican citizen, playwright, theater director, musician, and professor of literature and acting at the Autonomous University of Nuevo León (UANL)
Yolande Moreau is a Belgian comedian, actress and director.
Tracy Rector is a storyteller, educator, filmmaker, coordinator, co-founder of Longhouse Media non-profit organization, multi-media artist, and a 2016 Stranger Genius.