Members of the Huang family in “Fresh Off the Boat” weren’t the first Asian-American characters to appear on network comedies. But watching predecessors didn’t always make a positive impression. Here are five that stood out — for better or worse.
Kealani Kellye (Kellye Nakahara)
The show: “M*A*S*H,” 1973-83
Although she appeared in more episodes than Trapper John, the nurse never got much screen time. The episode in which she demands respect from Hawkeye was a rare exception. Nakahara died Sunday at 72.
Wince factor (scale of 1 to 10): 1
“Arnold” Takahashi (Pat Morita)
The show: “Happy Days,” 1974-77; 82-84
The drive-in owner’s accent was overcooked, but his quick wit and business savvy made him cool-a-mundo.
