Born and raised in Hollywood, CA, Yuji Okumoto began his acting career over 25 years ago. After graduating from Hollywood High, Yuji attended Cal State University in Fullerton, where he took his first acting class. While performing in the Arthur Kopit play Indians, he was approached and signed by an agent. His first acting job was on the CBS soap, The Young and the Restless. His big break came in 1985 when he was cast to play Ralph Macchio's nemesis in The Karate Kid, Part II. Yuji has worked on over 30 films, and has made over 30 television appearances. His feature film credits include Pearl Harbor, Johnny Tsunami, Contact, The Game, The Truman Show, Better Off Dead, Real Genius and True Believer. His upcoming films include Big Momma's House 2, Endgame, and The Stranger. Yuji will be heading to the Philippines in February 2006 to work on his next film, The Pearl of the Orient.

Yuji recently had the privilege of reuniting with his Karate Kid, Part II co-stars, Pat Morita and Tamlyn Tomita for the World War II film Only the Brave, which now holds the distinction of being Morita's last film. The sacrifices made by the men of the all-Japanese 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 522nd Field Artillery Battalion, and the MIS are celebrated in this powerful film and should never be forgotten. Hopefully this film will continue to remind all of us the debt of gratitude owed to these individuals.

Yuji currently resides in Seattle, Washington where he owns and operates Kona Kitchen, inspired by his years spent visiting friends and family in Hawai'i, including his uncle who owned a Hawai'ian style restaurant.