Interesting Facts about Actor Jack Soo (Yemana) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JeffRuss1972 · 09-02-2005, 08:34 PM

According to the Imdb:

The cast of "Barney Miller" stepped out of character on a retrospective episode that aired in May of 1979 to offer a tribute to Jack, who had died a few months earlier (of cancer of the esophagus) during the show's fifth season. The episode recalled some of his best moments on the show.

In the late 40s he first met "Barney Miller" creator Danny Arnold while sharing the nightclub stages in the mid-West early in their show business careers.

Was interned in a camp for Japanese-Americans in Utah during WWII.

His last words to Hal Linden as he was being wheeled into the operating room before his death were "It must have been the coffee". This was a reference to the running gag of his character Nick Yemana from Barney Miller having the reputation for making horrible coffee.

Ireneparalegal · 09-03-2005, 12:34 AM

He was one funny man. I recall watching the news and they announced he died. I was so shocked. I watched the retrospective, it was very touching, sad and funny. How honored he would've been. BTW, I had back surgery several years ago and the anesthesiologist happened to resemble broadway actor Joel Grey. When I told him this he laughed and told me he was Jack Soo's anesthesiologist many, many years before and that Jack was coming out from the anesthesia, Jack looked at him and was somewhat coherent and told him, "Hey Joel, what are you doing here?" I was laughing so hard. The anesthesiologist was telling me other stories abt Jack and they were all funny. He said Jack was one of the nicest people he had ever met.

catlover79 · 05-05-2007, 01:15 PM

I also enjoyed Jack Soo in Flower Drum Song (now available on DVD). He got to dance and sing in that film. He passed on about 8 months before I was born but I totally love his work on Barney Miller. Yemana was one of my favorites, and I'm happy that the cast and crew put together a retrospective in his honor. BTW, thank you for sharing the touching story, Irene!!

LeeBlue · 05-06-2007, 12:03 AM

Jack Soo was one of my favorite actors -- he could do more with just one line than anyone else -- thanx for the information and the stories -- much appreciated.

catlover79 · 11-16-2007, 12:59 AM

Jack Soo was truly one of a kind...and is still missed!

09-02-2005, 08:34 PM	#1
JeffRuss1972 70s Sitcoms Rule!!! Eternal Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 11, 2005 Location: Villa Rica, GA Posts: 1,257	Interesting Facts about Actor Jack Soo (Yemana) According to the Imdb: The cast of "Barney Miller" stepped out of character on a retrospective episode that aired in May of 1979 to offer a tribute to Jack, who had died a few months earlier (of cancer of the esophagus) during the show's fifth season. The episode recalled some of his best moments on the show. In the late 40s he first met "Barney Miller" creator Danny Arnold while sharing the nightclub stages in the mid-West early in their show business careers. Was interned in a camp for Japanese-Americans in Utah during WWII. His last words to Hal Linden as he was being wheeled into the operating room before his death were "It must have been the coffee". This was a reference to the running gag of his character Nick Yemana from Barney Miller having the reputation for making horrible coffee.
	__________________ Previously JalanRuss for a SHORT time, but got my OLD Username Back! Hello Again

09-03-2005, 12:34 AM	#2
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	He was one funny man. I recall watching the news and they announced he died. I was so shocked. I watched the retrospective, it was very touching, sad and funny. How honored he would've been. BTW, I had back surgery several years ago and the anesthesiologist happened to resemble broadway actor Joel Grey. When I told him this he laughed and told me he was Jack Soo's anesthesiologist many, many years before and that Jack was coming out from the anesthesia, Jack looked at him and was somewhat coherent and told him, "Hey Joel, what are you doing here?" I was laughing so hard. The anesthesiologist was telling me other stories abt Jack and they were all funny. He said Jack was one of the nicest people he had ever met.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

05-05-2007, 01:15 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	I also enjoyed Jack Soo in Flower Drum Song (now available on DVD). He got to dance and sing in that film. He passed on about 8 months before I was born but I totally love his work on Barney Miller. Yemana was one of my favorites, and I'm happy that the cast and crew put together a retrospective in his honor. BTW, thank you for sharing the touching story, Irene!!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

05-06-2007, 12:03 AM	#4
LeeBlue Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 16, 2006 Location: NYS Posts: 871	Interesting Facts about Actor Jack Soo (Yemana) Jack Soo was one of my favorite actors -- he could do more with just one line than anyone else -- thanx for the information and the stories -- much appreciated.

11-16-2007, 12:59 AM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Jack Soo was truly one of a kind...and is still missed!