Eileen Saki

Eileen Saki
Born
Minako Eileen Sasaki

(1943-11-18)November 18, 1943
Jerome, Arkansas, U.S.
DiedMay 1, 2023(2023-05-01) (aged 79)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1972–2016
Notable workM*A*S*H
Splash
SpouseBob Borgen

Minako Borgen (November 18, 1943 – May 1, 2023), born Minako Eileen Sasaki and known by her acting name Eileen Saki,[1] was a Japanese-American actress.

Minako Sasaki was born at the Jerome War Relocation Center in Arkansas in 1943 during the World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans. She was later transferred to the camp at Tule Lake.[2]

Borgen was the final and longest-running actress to play Rosie, proprietor of Rosie's Bar in the television series M*A*S*H. She also had a small but memorable role in the season 5 premiere episode as the head Madam of a coquettish group of prostitutes. The switching of actresses in the role of Rosie mimics the actual handing over of the real-life Rosie's Bar during the Korean War from mother to daughter. Alan Alda became aware of this when he received a letter in the early 1980s from the real Rosie Jr. about the incident, a copy of which is available in the book The Last Days of M*A*S*H, written by Alan and Arlene Alda.

Death

Saki died from pancreatic cancer in Los Angeles on May 1, 2023, at the age of 79.[1][3]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1974 Policewomen Kim
1979 Meteor Siberian Woman
1981 History of the World, Part I Slave - The Roman Empire
1984 Splash Dr. Fujimoto

References

  1. ^ a b Tinoco, Armando (May 2, 2023). "Eileen Saki Dies: 'M*A*S*H' Actor Who Played Rosie Was 79". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2 May 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  2. ^ "Ireizo: The Book of Names". Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  3. ^ Franklin, McKinley (May 2, 2023). "Eileen Saki, Bar Owner Rosie on 'M*A*S*H,' Dies at 79". Variety. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
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