In the dazzling world of Hollywood, where stars are often molded and myths are carefully constructed, the story of Donna Kei Benz offers a refreshing detour. A Japanese-American actress with an undeniably exotic allure, Benz found herself on a unique journey for her role in the movie ‘The Challenge’ – traveling to Tokyo to, in her words, learn “how to be Japanese.”
A second-generation American, born and raised in Hawaii, Donna Kei Benz defied easy categorization. Her appearance wasn’t stereotypically Japanese, nor did it fit neatly into any conventional Asian mold. Instead, she possessed a captivating, ambiguous beauty. With dusky skin, striking features, and an air of mystery, Benz was the embodiment of exoticism. One could easily imagine her gracing the shores of a South Seas island, a vision of untamed beauty.
Her most striking features included large, luminous brown eyes and long, straight black hair that flowed down to her waist. Her lips were full and sensuous, her cheekbones high and pronounced, contributing to an image that was both alluring and enigmatic. She was, in essence, a living, breathing fantasy.
However, beneath the exotic facade lay a life far more grounded. Donna Kei Benz was a dentist’s wife, a mother of two, residing in the suburban landscape of the San Fernando Valley. Yet, her roots ran deep into Japanese soil. She was a full-blooded Japanese woman, her family lineage tracing back seven generations to Kyoto, the very city where ‘The Challenge’ was set.
Director John Frankenheimer, in a move that defied typical Hollywood casting, chose Donna Kei Benz to star alongside Scott Glenn and the legendary Toshiro Mifune. He had initially considered casting a native Japanese actress but ultimately prioritized flawless English fluency. This led him to pass over Yoko Shimada, the acclaimed actress from ‘Shogun,’ in favor of Benz’s unique blend of heritage and language proficiency.
This decision propelled Donna Kei Benz into an immersive four-month experience in Japan, during the winter and spring leading up to filming. Her mission: to delve into the nuances of Japanese womanhood. This was no small feat for a woman educated at the University of Michigan, who, ironically, did not speak Japanese.
“I had to learn how modern Japanese women walk and talk,” Donna explained, highlighting the cultural subtleties she needed to master. “They have distinct mannerisms and body language different from ours.” Beyond posture and gait, she also had to grasp specific Japanese phrases for the film’s dialogue, adding another layer of authenticity to her performance.
While she was familiar with chopsticks from childhood, formal Japanese table etiquette presented a new challenge. “The most difficult thing was learning to wear a kimono and carry myself as Japanese,” she admitted. The traditional garment, far from being merely clothing, dictated movement and posture. “Eight layers of clothes are worn under kimonos,” she elaborated. “They fit so tightly you can’t take large steps. They shuffle and mince along pigeon-toed.” This physical constraint became a key element in embodying the character.
Donna observed the fascinating dichotomy in Kyoto, where tradition and modernity coexisted. She was struck by the number of women still embracing the traditional kimono, a stark contrast to the blue-jeaned and t-shirted modern women populating the city streets. This visual contrast mirrored the themes explored in ‘The Challenge’ itself.
In ‘The Challenge,’ Donna’s wardrobe reflected this cultural duality. The film, described as a sophisticated “chop-sockie” action movie, explored the tension between ancient and contemporary Japanese society, a theme embodied in Donna’s character and costumes.
Reflecting on her upbringing, Donna expressed a tinge of regret that her parents hadn’t taught her Japanese as a child. She revealed a poignant detail about her mother’s assimilation after the Pearl Harbor attack. “Mother was ashamed of being Japanese after Pearl Harbor and became as westernized as possible,” Donna shared. “She even changed her name.” Her mother’s marriage to a Jewish man named Benz further distanced the family from their Japanese heritage.
“I was taught modesty and to hold in my emotions which is a Japanese trait,” Donna acknowledged, recognizing the subtle ways Japanese culture had permeated her upbringing despite her mother’s efforts to westernize. “But that was the extent of the Japanese influence in my life for 18 years.”
Her time in Japan became a period of deliberate cultural immersion and personal discovery. “I did my best to unlearn my American instincts during the four months in Japan,” she said. Her experience also offered insights into Japanese societal norms. “I also discovered how chauvinistic the Japanese men are. Japanese women are really second-class citizens,” she observed, gaining a deeper understanding of the cultural context she was portraying.
Adding another dimension to her preparation, Donna dedicated time to mastering martial arts. “While I was learning to be Japanese, I spent a great deal of time mastering some of the martial arts,” she stated. “I’m not a black belt or anything, but I can handle myself with taekwondo, tae kuan do, aikido, kenjutso and kendo.” These skills were not merely for show; they were integral to her role in the action-packed film. “I used all of them in the picture which gets pretty rough in some places,” she confirmed.
Despite her Japanese heritage, Donna encountered a surprising aspect of her identity in Japan. “My biggest surprise in Japan was not seeing a single soul who looked like me,” she revealed. Even in major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, she was mistaken for various ethnicities. “Even in Tokyo and Kyoto people mistook me for Filipino, Polynesian or Eurasian. My skin is much darker than the average Japanese.” This experience underscored the complexity of her identity and the fluidity of racial perceptions.
Ultimately, Donna Kei Benz’s unique appearance became a defining asset in her acting career. “My appearance enhances my acting career,” she affirmed. Her resume boasted a diverse range of roles, showcasing her chameleon-like ability to embody different ethnicities. “I played a black dancer in ‘Stir Crazy,’ a Chinese dragon lady in ‘Hart to Hart’ and an Hawaiian in an episode of ‘Hawaii-Five O.'”
Her versatility extended beyond Asian roles. “Most of the parts I play call for Orientals, but I can play American Indians and dozens of other ethnic roles — I guess just about anything except for the idealized blonde, blue-eyed all-American girl.” Donna Kei Benz carved a niche for herself in Hollywood by embracing her unique, multi-faceted identity, proving that being “exotic” was not a limitation, but a powerful source of strength and opportunity in the world of acting.
