Meet Danny Fujikawa’s Parents, Ron Fujikawa and Melissa Linehan

Danny Fujikawa’s parents led careers outside the entertainment industry, though they became affiliated with many Hollywood stars through familial and romantic connections. Although the couple divorced when Danny and his brothers were young, they led fulfilling lives separately, with new loves, and within blended families.

Danny Fujikawa, the former frontman and guitarist of the rock band Chief, drew his first breath in Los Angeles on June 10, 1968. The 54-year-old was attending New York University — studying music — when he dropped out and formed the now-disbanded music group with his brother, Michael, and former college mates in the late 2000s.

Chief released its EP “The Castle Is Gone” in 2009 and its only studio album “Modern Rituals” in 2010, before going separate ways in June 2011. Danny, a father of one with fiancée Kate Hudson, later founded his label Lightwave Records in 2013. His chosen work field differed starkly from his parents’ careers.

Danny Fujikawa and Kate Hudson pose at the Baby2Baby 10-Year Gala presented by Paul Mitchell on November 13, 2021, in West Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images

The late Ron Fujikawa and Melissa Linehan opted to join more conventional industries centered around social responsibility, and they both notably succeeded. The former couple welcomed three sons, including Danny, during their union. Sometime down the line, however — though it’s unclear when — Ron and Melissa later separated.

Kate and Danny Named Their Daughter after Ron Fujikawa, Danny Fujikawa’s Father

Ron drew his first breath in Mount Vernon, Missouri, on April 6, 1948. He was born to Alice Mae Aoki, a pianist and epicurean, and Dr. Yoshihiko Fred Fujikawa, a thoracic surgeon. He grew up in Long Beach, California, with his siblings. Ron graduated from Stanford Law School, where he actively participated in baseball and football.

After working for the Gibson, Dunn firm, he co-founded another with his colleagues. He married Melissa in 1980, and the couple had sons Michael, Danny, and Braden. After their divorce, Ron moved on to Rebecca Dyer. Rebecca was married to longtime musician David Foster (now married to Katharine McPhee), with whom she shares daughters Sara, Erin, and Jordan Foster.

She and Ron remained together for a decade until his dying breath in 2012. In 2018, Danny welcomed his first child with Kate, and the couple (engaged since 2021) announced they had named their daughter Rani (pronounced Ronny) after the late lawyer. Ron had met his future daughter-in-law long before he died, and the two shared a sweet bond.

Melissa Linehan Is Danny Fujikawa’s Mother, and She Has a Moniker

Melissa worked for thirty years as an educator. Now that she has retired, the mother of three has geared her focus toward her family. She developed a loving relationship with Kate and her granddaughter Rani, with whom she often throws mini-dance parties while gardening in her home.

Melissa, who also goes by Moo Moo, extended her role of grandmother to Kate’s sons, Ryder Robinson and Bingham Hawn Bellamy. In 2022, her future daughter-in-law surprised her with a stunning renovation on the reality show “Celebrity IOU.” Speaking about Melissa, whose Instagram page currently remains private, the actress gushed:

“I’m forever indebted to Melissa. She’s the most selfless woman.”

Danny Fujikawa Is Proud of His Half-Japanese Ethnicity

In June 2017, the bi-ethnic entrepreneur said Mother’s and Father’s Day were his favorite Instagram days, as he looked forward to making his contribution. He wrote about waking up from a dream in which he walked side-by-side with his late father, as he recalled:

“[…] My dad was healthy and happy and perfectly peaceful and he didn’t say a word to me but as we walked side by side just the two of us, there was so much love and an understanding that all was ok.”

In December 2012, the former singer shared a throwback wedding photo of his grandparents, along which he cleverly quipped, “Ojisan and obachan… That’s grandpa and grandma for all the round eyes.” His grandfather, Dr. Yoshihiko, was among the first Japanese-Americans to enroll in medical school. He specialized in chest surgery for over 40 years.

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