Jack Soo was a former Japanese American actor & singer. He left his stamp on television history. Jack Soo was beyond just an actor. He was a pioneer of firm ideas. This article includes Jack Soo net worth and a complete financial breakdown, including other personal and family details.
Introduction
Jack Soo was a leading Japanese American actor and singer. He grew up in the city of Oakland. Goro Suzuki was born on October 28, 1917. Interestingly, some reports say he was born on a ship in the Pacific Ocean.
He started his career as a nightclub entertainer. Jack got married to Jan Zdelar in 1945. He is most known for his role as the funny and laid-back Detective Nicholas Yemana.
Jack Soo Net Worth
Jack Soo’ exact worth is not publicly confirmed. He has worked in cinema and television for over two decades. At the time of his death in 1979, Jack soo net worth was about $1.1 million.
His Main Income Sources Include:
- Film Acting
- Television Movies
- Broadway Theater
- Music Recording

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Jack Soo Wife & Children
Jack soo married a model, Jan Zdelar, in 1945. Their marriage lasted more than thirty years. Together, they had three children.
Child's Name | Additional Information |
---|---|
Jayne | Led a very private life. |
Richard | Maintained a low public profile. |
James | Dedicated family man. |
Jack Soo Last Words
He died on January 11, 1979, at the age of 61. His death was the result of consequences from esophageal cancer. Jack Soo’s dying remarks were delivered to his Barney Miller co-star, Hal Linden.
“It must have been the coffee.”
In his final sentence on the Barney Miller, he delivered the ironic phrase: ➖ “I have nothing to add.” This program played two months and a few days before to his death.
Jack Soo’s final comments, both in reality and on film, reflect his humor and expertiseb and his capacity to sustain humor.
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A Challenging Start
Jack Soo came into the world in a unique way. In Oakland, California, his parents resided. They wanted their firstborn kid to be born in Japan, so they traveled there. Jack grew raised in Oakland after the family moved back there.
He grew into an intelligent young man. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in English. World War II destroyed his American life. Executive Order 9066 was signed by the government. Jack and hundreds of other Japanese Americans were taken into internment camps as a result of this edict.
He was sent to the Topaz War Relocation Center in Utah by the authorities. This experience could break a person’s spirit. Not Jack Soo.
Becoming Jack Soo
Following the war, Jack looked for a career in entertainment. He began as a stand-up comedian and vocalist. He mostly performed in nightclubs in the Midwestern United States. Talent always discovers a way. Jack Soo was working in San Francisco. He then took on the greater role of Sammy Fong.
He performed the same part in the 1961 film adaption, alongside Nancy Kwan. Jack even had a brief but successful recording career. He joined with Motown Records in 1965. Soo recorded a ballad version of “For Once in My Life” before Stevie Wonder popularized it. He even had a brief but successful recording career.
A Lasting Legacy
In 1975, Jack Soo won his most famous role. He joined the cast of ABC’s comedy Barney Miller. He appeared as detective Nick Yemana. Yemana was a relaxed, smart, and wonderfully humorous presence in the 12th Precinct squad room. He provided some of the show’s most memorable deadpan remarks.
He also gained popularity for a running joke. His character produced the most terrible, unpalatable coffee. His peers were always complaining about it. This joke became an iconic component of the show’s brand. Soo’s performance was remarkable. He played a fully developed American character who happened to be of Asian origin.
Biography at a Glance
Category | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Goro Suzuki (stage name: Jack Soo) |
Birth | October 28, 1917 (born aboard a ship in the Pacific Ocean) |
Net Worth | Estimated $1.1 million (at time of death, 1979) |
Death | January 11, 1979 (aged 61, due to esophageal cancer) |
Personal Life | Married Jan Zdelar (1945); children: Jayne, Richard, James |
Nationality | American |
Education | University of California, Berkeley (Degree in English) |
Career Start | Nightclub performer |
Breakthrough Role | Sammy Fong in Flower Drum Song (Broadway, 1958; Film, 1961) |
Most Famous Role | Detective Nick Yemana in Barney Miller (1975–1979) |
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Conclusion
Jack Soo, a former Japanese American actor and singer, was a pioneer of strong beliefs and a key player in television history. Soo was born in Oakland, California, in 1917, and began his career as a nightclub comedian before marrying model Jan Zdelar in 1945. He was best recognized for his portrayal as Detective Nicholas Yemana in the ABC sitcom Barney Miller. Jack Soo net worth is around $1.1 million at the time of his death in 1979.