Roger Minami

Roger Minami is an American dancer and choreographer born on June 16, 1945, in Honolulu, Hawaii. A third-generation American of Japanese descent, he grew up during the final years of the Second World War. He later attended Long Beach State University, and before establishing himself in entertainment he worked as a soda jerk at C.C. Brown's.

Minami's performing career began in the mid-1960s, when he was among a group of resident dancers on the American variety television program Where the Action Is, a collective known as The Action Kids. His television work continued into the following years: in 1969 he appeared alongside Ann-Margret in her special From Hollywood With Love and also choreographed a television special for Frank Sinatra, Jr. From 1970 onward he became a regular presence in Las Vegas revues, earning multiple awards for his work in Bare Touch of Vegas at The Stardust Hotel.

In 1977 Minami took on the role of Arthur in The Act, a Broadway musical starring Liza Minnelli. He joined the production in Los Angeles during its out-of-town tryout and remained with it through its transfer to Broadway, where the New York Times included him in its annual guide to young talent. His professional relationship with Minnelli extended beyond the show; he subsequently appeared with her at Carnegie Hall and in her 1980 HBO special Standing Room Only.

Minami's screen credits include John Huston's 1982 film adaptation of Annie, in which he played the Asp and also contributed choreography. The following year he appeared in and choreographed the 1983 film Spring Break. In 1988 he traveled to Japan, and in 1989 he served as one of several choreographers for the Takarazuka Revue Company production Glitter, With Gusto at Radio City Music Hall. Through the mid-1990s he produced shows connected to Merv Griffin's Atlantic City ventures. Minami retired from entertainment in 1996 and subsequently pursued a career as a painter.