Maeda Beverly

Maeda was born to an American father and Japanese mother; the name "Beverly" comes from her paternal grandmother. She studied ballet as a child, and after joining Toho following a music competition, made her film debut in 1964. In 1966, at age 18, she became the face of Shiseido Cosmetics.

She is perhaps best known to international audiences for her role as the island girl Saeko in Son of Godzilla (1967).

In 1968, she married fellow singer Mike Maki and traveled with him to the United States. Their busy touring schedule strained their relationship and they divorced in 1976, after which Maeda returned to Japan.

Upon her return, she revitalized her career on the stage. She practiced dancing for three months to land the role of Sheila in the Japanese production of A Chorus Line in 1979. She followed this with appearances in numerous musicals, including Gone with the Wind, West Side Story, Cabaret, Les Miserables, and Mamma Mia!.