Robert Ito is a Canadian-born actor and dancer of Japanese descent, specifically a second-generation Japanese Canadian, also known as a Nisei. His journey in the performing arts began at the tender age of five when he won his first amateur tap dancing contest. As "little Bobby Ito", he continued to perform in singing competitions and talent revues throughout his childhood.
As an adult, Ito spent the first decade of his professional career as a dancer with the prestigious National Ballet of Canada. He then made the move to New York in 1960 to pursue a career on Broadway, where he became a part of the dancing ensemble in the musical production of Flower Drum Song. A decade later, he took on acting roles in the operetta Candide.
In the 1960s, Ito transitioned to Hollywood, where he became a prolific supporting player in episodic television. He often played characters of Asian ethnicity in popular shows such as Ironside, Kung Fu, Mannix, and The X-Files. During the 1970s, he gained widespread recognition for his recurring role as Sam Fujiyama, a clever forensic lab technician and trusted sidekick to Quincy, M.E. He also made memorable appearances in M*A*S*H, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Star Trek: Voyager.
On the big screen, Ito portrayed Commander Minoru Genda, a prominent figure in the Imperial Japanese Navy, in the World War II blockbuster Midway. His performance earned him a nomination for a Gemini Award as Best Supporting Actor for his role in the telemovie Trial at Fortitude Bay.
Since 1985, Ito has been a prolific voice actor, lending his voice to a wide range of animated series, including Rambo, The Smurfs, The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries, Justice League, and Avatar: The Last Airbender.
