Those years were full of reinvention. He taught English, performed weekly as a singer-guitarist, once appeared on Japanese TV, and even translated comic books for Kodansha. “As my Japanese got better, other opportunities came up,” he wrote.
Worked as a flight attendant
When the family returned to the U.S. in 1985, Eimen worked grueling jobs aboard factory trawlers in the Bering Sea before transitioning to a major law firm. Then a chance opportunity appeared — Northwest Airlines was hiring Japanese-speaking flight attendants. Eimen joined in 1995 and spent the next 25 years flying international routes.
Despite all his adventures, Eimen’s memories of his child-actor days remained overwhelmingly positive. He was grateful for the experiences and even more grateful that he avoided the darker paths many child stars faced. “I’m so happy that wasn’t me!!!” he reflected.
John Eimen is survived by his wife of 51 years, Midori; sons Daniel and Chris; and grandsons Lucas and Oliver. A memorial service is being planned.
For fans who grew up watching Leave It to Beaver and classic ’50s and ’60s TV, his passing marks the end of a chapter — but the warmth, innocence, and nostalgia he brought to screens lives on in every rerun.
