Aki Aleong

Not only has Aki Aleong built a successful career as an actor, writer, producer, and singer, he has held multiple leadership roles in entertainment organizations, including the National Board of Directors of the Screen Actors Guild. But before his impressive career began, he lived a modest life. After growing up in Trinidad, he moved to New York with his mother, where he attended Boys High School and Brooklyn College. His start in entertainment came when he auditioned for the Broadway production "Teahouse of the August Moon" in 1954. Aleong then started in television by appearing on NBC's "Producers' Showcase" in 1956. The following year, he broke into films by playing a chef in "Motorcycle Gang." His career was unstoppable after that, as he appeared in everything from the 1963 wartime flick "Operation Bikini" to the 1996 dark comedy "The Cable Guy" with Jim Carrey.

While he also acted in more than 200 TV shows, Aleong may be best known for his brief stint as Senator Hidoshi on sci-fi series "Babylon 5." When Aleong wasn't acting, he found time for a sideline in singing, even scoring a hit with the tune "Trade Winds," and working as a promotions manager for Capitol Records. Aleong also produced, wrote, and directed a few later films, including "I Am Somebody: No Chance in Hell" in 2008 and "Shish Kabob" in 2011.