What race was James Coburn? Was he part Asian?

[Argent_Towers]

I need to bump this thread because I just read this on Coburn’s Wikipedia page:

Legendary film critic Pauline Kael remarked on Coburn’s unusual characteristics, stating that “he looked like the child of the liaison between Lt Pinkerton and Madame Butterfly”.

In other words, she thinks he looks half-Japanese. I am obviously not alone in my impression of his face.

[Arggg]

James Coburn was part Swedish. Scandinavians are largely descended from Southeast Asians who migrated northwest. They often share features with Asian people - smooth, golden skin, epicanthic eye folds, high cheekbones, prominent teeth.

Coburn looked like he could have been descended from Native Americans as well, although I never heard that he was.

[Tamerlane]

@Arggg

Scandinavians are largely descended from Southeast Asians who migrated northwest.

Southeast Asians? Be nice to see a cite for that.

[Siam_Sam]

So that’s why so many Swedes come to Thailand!

[Claverhouse]

I just always assumed Mr. Coburn could have played any race at all.

[DingoelGringo]

@lieu

I hate to just quote Wiki but it does say he was born in Nebraska and of Scots-Irish and Swedish descent. No reason to doubt that.

One thing that may be telling regarding any potential asian ancestry, both Coburn and Steve McQueen were students of Bruce Lee. Both told Lee that in Hollywood he’d never be able to gain either of their star status because Lee was Chinese.

Anybody can make up anything and add to wikipedia. I have two brothers who love doing that.

[terentii]

@Argent_Towers

That has got to be the ticket right there. Similar bone structure of the face too.

Bjork, who many people confuse for Asian, is probably also of this ancestry.

Or maybe Inuit? :dubious:

[Irishman]

@Argent_Towers

Eh, kind of, but nobody would ever cast that guy as a non-white character, whereas they obviously thought Durand was exotic enough to pull it off. Butterfly Effect. He was supposed to be a Mexican gangster, but really, to me he looks Japanese.

Movie magic can do wonders. Who would have thought this woman was Mexican? James Cameron did.

[Miller]

@Irishman

Movie magic can do wonders. Who would have thought this woman was Mexican? James Cameron did.

Actually, Jeanette Goldstein did. When she heard they were casting for a movie called “Aliens,” she thought it was a drama about illegal immigration, and showed up for the audition dressed like blue-collar Latina. Hudson’s joke at the beginning of the movie is a direct reference to this.