Ernest Abuba (August 25, 1947 – June 21, 2022) was an American actor, playwright, and theatre director of Filipino descent. He appeared on stage and on film, with more than one hundred stage appearances,[1] and was the co-founder of the Pan Asian Repertory Theatre.[2]
Ernest Abuba | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 25, 1947 |
| Died | June 21, 2022 (aged 74) New York City, U.S. |
| Spouse | Tisa Chang (divorced) |
| Children | 1 |
| Website | www |
Early life edit
Born in Honolulu to Filipino parents, Abuba was raised in San Diego and Texas.[3] He trained at the Actors Studio.[4]
Career edit
Abuba received an Obie Award in 1983 for his portrayal of Kenji Kadota in Yellow Fever.[5] His Broadway credits include: Pacific Overtures, Loose Ends, Zoya's Apartment, and Lincoln Center Theatre's The Oldest Boy, which was his final Broadway role. Among the highlights of his long Off-Broadway career is that he was the first Asian-American in the role of Sakini in Teahouse of the August Moon, and the first Asian-American as MacBeth in Shogun Macbeth. On screen he was known for 12 Monkeys, Call Me, Forever Lulu and many more roles.[1] As a playwright, he was known for 2013's Dojoji.[6]
Abuba was on the theatre faculty at Sarah Lawrence College.[2]
Personal life edit
Abuba and Tisa Chang married in 1976 and had one son before divorcing.[7] Abuba died in New York City on June 21, 2022.[8]
Filmography edit
Film edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Forever, Lulu | Mugger #1 | |
| 1988 | Call Me | Boss | |
| 1990 | King of New York | 'King Tito' Salvador | |
| 1992 | Article 99 | Ikiro Tenabe | |
| 1995 | 12 Monkeys | Engineer | |
| 1997 | Hamlet, Prince of Denmark | The King | |
| 1997 | Tuff Luk Klub | Red's butler | Also associate producer |
Television edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Pacific Overtures | Samurai / Adams / Noble | Television film |
| 1986 | Adderly | Col. Doc Thieu | Episode: "Adderly with Eggroll" |
| 1990 | The Cosby Show | George Parker | Episode: "Getting the Story" |
| 1990 | Vestige of Honor | Thai Official | Television film |
| 1991 | Counterstrike | Chang | Episode: "Night of the Black Moon" |
| 1992 | Ghostwriter | Karate Instructor | Episode: "To Catch a Creep: Part 3" |
| 1993 | Kung Fu: The Legend Continues | Tan | 3 episodes |
| 1995 | New York News | Dr. Yamagucci | Episode: "A Question of Truth" |
| 1996–97 | New York Undercover | Sonny Fung | 3 episodes |
References edit
- ^ a b Rabinowitz, Chloe (2022-06-21). "Pan Asian Repertory Theatre Announces Passing of Founding Member Ernest Abuba". Retrieved 2022-06-21.
- ^ a b Ang, Walter (2018-11-08). "Pan Asian Rep honors Fil-Am actor-director-playwright". Retrieved 2022-06-21.
- ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "Pan Asian Repertory Theatre Announces Passing of Founding Member Ernest Abuba". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
- ^ "Ernest Abuba's Resume". www.ernestabuba.com. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ "Ernest Abuba to be King of La MaMa's Lier Rex, Sept. 24-Oct. 11". Playbill. 1998-09-24.
- ^ Rocco, Claudia La (2013-05-27). "Now Resurfacing, the Myth of the Serpent Scorned". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-06-21.
- ^ "Tisa Chang Married Here to Ernest Abuba". The New York Times. 1976-01-26. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
- ^ "In Memoriam, Summer 2022". SAG-AFTRA. p. 60. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
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