Kei Suma (Japanese: すまけい; 4 September 1935 – 7 December 2013) was a Japanese film and television actor, whose career…Kei Suma (Japanese: すまけい; 4 September 1935 – 7 December 2013) was a Japanese film and television actor, whose career spanned 25 years. Born on Kunashir Island under Japanese rule, Suma began his acting career in 1985. He was best known for his roles in A Class to Remember (1993) and Pretty Woman (2003). Kei Suma died of liver cancer on 7 December 2013, aged 78, in Tokyo.
Nobuo Yana (Japanese: 八名信夫, Hepburn: Yana Nobuo; born 19 August 1935) is a Japanese film actor. He is most famous for…Nobuo Yana (Japanese: 八名信夫, Hepburn: Yana Nobuo; born 19 August 1935) is a Japanese film actor. He is most famous for playing villains. Before he started his acting career, he was a professional baseball player of Toei Flyer's. In 1956, he joined Toei Flyer's but in 1958, he retired because of an injury. He joined Toei film company and made his film debut in 1959. He debuted as a director with his film Dagashiya Koharu in 2018.
Etsushi Takahashi (高橋 悦史, Takahashi Etsushi; 2 August 1935 – 19 May 1996) was a Japanese actor from Kishiwada, Osaka…Etsushi Takahashi (高橋 悦史, Takahashi Etsushi; 2 August 1935 – 19 May 1996) was a Japanese actor from Kishiwada, Osaka Prefecture. Takahashi often worked with Kihachi Okamoto and Satsuo Yamamoto. After graduating from Rikkyo University, Takahashi joined NHK acting school. In 1964, he joined Bungakuza Theatre Company's acting school and became an official member in 1967. In the same year, he gave his film debut with Watashi Machigatterukashira?. He received the Elan d'or Award for Newcomer of the Year in 1968. He appeared in Onihei's Detective Records, although he was fighting against cancer, and the film became his final film appearance.
Kōji Takahashi (高橋幸治) (born 10 June 1935 in Tōkamachi, Niigata), is a Japanese actor, who attended Niigata Prefectural…Kōji Takahashi (高橋幸治) (born 10 June 1935 in Tōkamachi, Niigata), is a Japanese actor, who attended Niigata Prefectural Tōkamachi High School and later Toyo University.
Yoshitaka Satō (佐藤 良孝, Satō Yoshitaka; April 20, 1935 — June 28, 2007), known by the stage name Shinji Nakae (中江 真司…Yoshitaka Satō (佐藤 良孝, Satō Yoshitaka; April 20, 1935 — June 28, 2007), known by the stage name Shinji Nakae (中江 真司, Nakae Shinji), was a Japanese actor, voice actor, and narrator from Kōtō, Tokyo. He graduated from Kamakura Gakuen Senior High School, and was affiliated with Aoni Production at the time of his death. He was married with fellow voice actress Michiko Hirai, until her death. Nakae narrated numerous Nintendo commercials during 2006. He retired in 2007 due to his failing health; Hitoshi Kubota took over his role as the narrator of the Nintendo commercials, and Ryūzaburō Ōtomo took over his role as the narrator of the Hey! Spring of Trivia game show. Shinji Nakae died of hepatocellular carcinoma in a Koganei hospital on June 28, 2007. He was 72 years old.
Shūsei Nakamura (仲村 秀生,, Nakamura Shuusei; born Hideo Nakamura (仲村 秀男,, Nakamura Hideo); March 9, 1935 – July 30, 2014)…Shūsei Nakamura (仲村 秀生,, Nakamura Shuusei; born Hideo Nakamura (仲村 秀男,, Nakamura Hideo); March 9, 1935 – July 30, 2014) was a Japanese actor and voice actor. Throughout his career he was represented by 81 Produce and later Production Baobab. He has referred to both Tokyo and Nagano Prefecture as his hometown. He was most known for the roles of Tōru Rikiishi (Ashita no Joe) and Daisuke Shima (Space Battleship Yamato). After his retirement, Hideyuki Tanaka took up the role of Daisuke Shima for the PS2 Yamato game series. The role had previously been taken over for the film Final Yamato by Isao Sasaki, but this was before Nakamura's retirement. Nakamura died on July 30, 2014, at a Tokyo hospital.
Mikio Narita (Japanese: 成田三樹夫, Hepburn: Narita Mikio; 31 January 1935 – 9 April 1990) was a Japanese actor. He was most…Mikio Narita (Japanese: 成田三樹夫, Hepburn: Narita Mikio; 31 January 1935 – 9 April 1990) was a Japanese actor. He was most famous for playing villains, and often worked with Kinji Fukasaku. Narita graduated from Haiyuza Theatre Company acting school and joined Daiei Film. His career as a screen actor started in 1963. His film debut was the 1963 film Kōkō Sannensei. He gradually won fame by playing the role of the villains. In 1971, Narita left Daiei and became a freelance actor. As a freelance actor he appeared in many yakuza films produced by Toei film company. In Japan he is best known for his role in Tantei Monogatari (TV series). He is also well known for his part in Fukasaku's Battles Without Honor and Humanity series. He also portrayed the evil character in Mito Kōmon (3rd season). He died of linitis plastica on 9 April 1990. His final film role was in the 1990 film Jipangu.
Yūjirō Ishihara (石原 裕次郎, Ishihara Yūjirō; December 28, 1934 – July 17, 1987) was a Japanese actor and singer born in…Yūjirō Ishihara (石原 裕次郎, Ishihara Yūjirō; December 28, 1934 – July 17, 1987) was a Japanese actor and singer born in Kobe. His elder brother was Shintaro Ishihara, an author, politician, and the Governor of Tokyo between 1999 and 2012. Yujiro's film debut was the 1956 film Season of the Sun, based on a novel written by his brother. He was beloved by many fans as a representative youth star in the films of postwar Japan and subsequently as a macho movie hero. His early death from liver cancer was a major public event in Japan.
Susumu Taira (平良進, Taira Susumu; 18 December 1934 – 27 January 2024) was a Japanese actor. He was born in Okinawa, and…Susumu Taira (平良進, Taira Susumu; 18 December 1934 – 27 January 2024) was a Japanese actor. He was born in Okinawa, and his credits include Nabbie's Love (1999), and Churasan. Taira was born in the former city of Hirara, Okinawa which was merged with other settlements in 2005 to become the city of Miyakojima, Okinawa. Taira was married to actress Tomi Taira. He died at his home in Ginowan, Okinawa, on 27 January 2024, at the age of 89.
Kantarō Suga (菅貫太郎, Suga Kantarō; born December 12, 1934, in Yuzawa, Akita - died March 22, 1994, in Yokohama) was a…Kantarō Suga (菅貫太郎, Suga Kantarō; born December 12, 1934, in Yuzawa, Akita - died March 22, 1994, in Yokohama) was a leading Japanese actor. His film credits span three decades, from 1960 to 1990. One of his prominent appearances was in the lead role in Pastoral: To Die in the Country. Suga also appeared in The Gate of Youth, Sword of the Beast, and Theater of Life. He also portrays Souichiro Akizuki- the father of Nobuhiko, Kyoko and also the foster father of the protagonist Kotaro Minami in the tokusatsu series Kamen Rider Black. A frequent television guest star, Suga acted in jidaigeki and contemporary shows. Twenty appearances on Abarenbō Shōgun, thirteen on Zenigata Heiji, eleven on Momotarō-zamurai, nine on Ōoka Echizen, seven on Edo o Kiru, and numerous guest roles on various programs in the Mito Komon and Hissatsu series top his list of roles.
Shunji Fujimura (藤村 俊二, Fujimura Shunji; December 8, 1934 – January 25, 2017) was a Japanese actor from Kamakura…Shunji Fujimura (藤村 俊二, Fujimura Shunji; December 8, 1934 – January 25, 2017) was a Japanese actor from Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan. He appeared in the second series of Monkey as the horse. He appeared in the Death Note live-action movie as Quillsh Wammy A.K.A. Watari.
Yasutaka Tsutsui (筒井 康隆, Tsutsui Yasutaka; born September 24, 1934 in Osaka) is a Japanese novelist, science fiction…Yasutaka Tsutsui (筒井 康隆, Tsutsui Yasutaka; born September 24, 1934 in Osaka) is a Japanese novelist, science fiction author, and actor. His Yumenokizaka bunkiten won the Tanizaki Prize in 1987. He has also won the 1981 Izumi Kyoka award, the 1989 Kawabata Yasunari award, and the 1992 Nihon SF Taisho Award.
Gorō Mutsumi (睦五朗 or 睦五郎, Mutsumi Gorō; also credited as Goro Mutsu, September 11, 1934 – June 5, 2021 (claimed)) was a…Gorō Mutsumi (睦五朗 or 睦五郎, Mutsumi Gorō; also credited as Goro Mutsu, September 11, 1934 – June 5, 2021 (claimed)) was a Japanese actor with more than 30 films to his credit. He has also appeared in numerous television shows, especially jidaigeki, in which he specializes in villains, and in tokusatsu. In addition, he is a stage and voice actor with prominent roles in narration, dubbing, and anime.
Kazuya Tatekabe (たてかべ和也, Tatekabe Kazuya; July 25, 1934 – June 18, 2015) was a Japanese actor, voice actor, and talent…Kazuya Tatekabe (たてかべ和也, Tatekabe Kazuya; July 25, 1934 – June 18, 2015) was a Japanese actor, voice actor, and talent manager from Kimobetsu, Hokkaidō. He was represented by Kenyu Horiuchi's Kenyu Office until the time of his death. Until 1977, he performed under his birth name Kazuya Tatekabe (立壁 和也, Tatekabe Kazuya). He is most known for the roles of Takeshi "Gian" Gōda (Doraemon), Warusa (Time Bokan), and Tonzura (Yatterman).
Masakane Yonekura (Japanese: 米倉 斉加年; 7 October 1934 – 26 August 2014) was a Japanese stage director, actor, author, and…Masakane Yonekura (Japanese: 米倉 斉加年; 7 October 1934 – 26 August 2014) was a Japanese stage director, actor, author, and illustrator who was one of the central members of the Gekidan Mingei theatre company.
Akira Takarada (Japanese: 宝田 明, Hepburn: Takarada Akira; April 29, 1934 – March 14, 2022) was a Japanese actor best…Akira Takarada (Japanese: 宝田 明, Hepburn: Takarada Akira; April 29, 1934 – March 14, 2022) was a Japanese actor best known for his roles in the Godzilla film series.
Makoto Satō (佐藤允, Satō Makoto; 18 March 1934 – 6 December 2012) was a Japanese film actor. He appeared in more than one…Makoto Satō (佐藤允, Satō Makoto; 18 March 1934 – 6 December 2012) was a Japanese film actor. He appeared in more than one hundred films from 1953 to 2008.
Hiroyuki Nagato (長門裕之, Nagato Hiroyuki; 10 January 1934 – 21 May 2011), stage name of Akio Kato (加藤晃夫), was a Japanese…Hiroyuki Nagato (長門裕之, Nagato Hiroyuki; 10 January 1934 – 21 May 2011), stage name of Akio Kato (加藤晃夫), was a Japanese actor. He starred in Season of the Sun, Endless Desire, My Second Brother, Stolen Desire, and Sukeban Deka, and Yo-Yo Girl Cop.
Kiyoshi Kodama (児玉 清, Kodama Kiyoshi; real name: Kiyoshi Kitagawa (北川 清), born as Kiyoshi Kodama (小玉 清), 1 January 1934…Kiyoshi Kodama (児玉 清, Kodama Kiyoshi; real name: Kiyoshi Kitagawa (北川 清), born as Kiyoshi Kodama (小玉 清), 1 January 1934 – 16 May 2011) was a Japanese TV personality and actor. He hosted the Asahi Broadcasting Corporation quiz show Panel Quiz Attack 25 continuously for thirty-six years from its start in April 1975 until he was forced to step down due to poor health at the end of March 2011. His signature catchphrase on the show is "Attack Chance!" An avid reader, Kodama hosted a TV book review show. He also published his own books. He was a voice actor for the voice of Robert Stephenson in the Japanese version of the 2004 animated movie Steamboy. Kodama died of stomach cancer at a hospital in Chuo, Tokyo on 16 May 2011.
Joe Shishido (宍戸 錠, Shishido Jō; December 6, 1933 – January 18, 2020) was a Japanese actor recognizable for his…Joe Shishido (宍戸 錠, Shishido Jō; December 6, 1933 – January 18, 2020) was a Japanese actor recognizable for his intense, eccentric yakuza film roles. He appeared in some 300 films but is best known in the West for his performance in the cult film Branded to Kill (1967). In Japan, he is also known by the nickname Joe the Ace (エースのジョー, Ēsu no Jō) for his popular role in the Western Quick Draw Joe (1961).
Mikijirō Hira (平 幹二朗, Hira Mikijirō; 21 November 1933 – 23 October 2016) was a Japanese actor. Starting as a stage…Mikijirō Hira (平 幹二朗, Hira Mikijirō; 21 November 1933 – 23 October 2016) was a Japanese actor. Starting as a stage actor in the 1950s, he also worked in film and television and was active until the time of his death. From the 1970s he starred in several of Yukio Ninagawa's productions, including an acclaimed role as Macbeth. Described as "Japan's best Shakespearean actor", Hira received several awards throughout his career, including an excellence award at the 2011 National Arts Festival hosted by the Japanese government's Agency for Cultural Affairs.
Jūkei Fujioka (藤岡 重慶, Fujioka Jūkei; 19 November 1933 – 23 July 1991) was a Japanese actor. He is known as an actor who…Jūkei Fujioka (藤岡 重慶, Fujioka Jūkei; 19 November 1933 – 23 July 1991) was a Japanese actor. He is known as an actor who often played villains, but is famous for playing the role of detective Daisaku Tani in the detective drama Seibu Keisatsu. Fujioka started his acting career at the Haiyuza Theatre Company. His film debut was in the 1961 film A New Wind Over the Mountain Pass directed by Seijun Suzuki. Following year, he signed his contract with Nikkatsu film company. In May 1991, while performing at the New Kabukiza in Osaka, he complained of poor health and was hospitalized at Kitasato University East Hospital in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture. At 7:06 a.m. on July 23 of the same year, he died due to intracerebral hemorrhage (died at the age of 57).
Chikara Hashimoto (橋本 力, Hashimoto Chikara; 20 October 1933 – 11 October 2017), also erroneously called Riki Hashimoto…Chikara Hashimoto (橋本 力, Hashimoto Chikara; 20 October 1933 – 11 October 2017), also erroneously called Riki Hashimoto (はしもと りき, Hashimoto Riki), was a Japanese professional baseball player and actor. Hashimoto played baseball for Mainichi Orions in the 1950s. He was forced to retire in 1958 following an injury, and then joined Daiei Studios. As an actor, he is known for his roles as Daimajin in the 1966 film trilogy and as Hiroshi Suzuki in the 1972 Bruce Lee film, Fist of Fury.
Bunta Sugawara (Japanese: 菅原 文太, Hepburn: Sugawara Bunta; August 16, 1933 – November 28, 2014) was a Japanese actor who…Bunta Sugawara (Japanese: 菅原 文太, Hepburn: Sugawara Bunta; August 16, 1933 – November 28, 2014) was a Japanese actor who appeared in almost 200 feature films. Dropping out of Waseda University, he worked as a model before entering the film industry in 1956. After years of work, Sugawara finally established himself as a famous actor at the age of 39, with the lead role of Shozo Hirono in the Battles Without Honor and Humanity series (1973–1976) of yakuza films. He quickly found additional success starring as the truck driver Momojiro Hoshi in the comedic Torakku Yarō series (1975–1979). In 1980, Sugawara won the Japan Academy Prize for Best Supporting Actor for his role as a detective in the satirical Taiyō o Nusunda Otoko (1979).
Juzo Itami (伊丹 十三, Itami Jūzō), born Yoshihiro Ikeuchi (池内 義弘, Ikeuchi Yoshihiro; May 15, 1933 – December 20, 1997)…Juzo Itami (伊丹 十三, Itami Jūzō), born Yoshihiro Ikeuchi (池内 義弘, Ikeuchi Yoshihiro; May 15, 1933 – December 20, 1997), was a Japanese actor, screenwriter and film director. He directed eleven films (one short and ten features), all of which he wrote himself. He is the namesake of the Juzo Itami Award, founded in 2009 to honor his legacy.
Kiyoshi Kobayashi (小林 清志, Kobayashi Kiyoshi; January 11, 1933 – July 30, 2022) was a Japanese actor, voice actor and…Kiyoshi Kobayashi (小林 清志, Kobayashi Kiyoshi; January 11, 1933 – July 30, 2022) was a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator from Tokyo. He was attached to the Tokyo Actor's Consumer's Cooperative Society. He was a graduate of the arts department of Nihon University. He was best known for his role as Daisuke Jigen in the Lupin the Third series, voicing the character for over 50 years. He also voiced roles in Humanoid Monster Bem (as Bem), the Droopy cartoons (as the Wolf) and Shazzan (as Shazzan); Kobayashi was the official dub-over voice of James Coburn and Lee Marvin for Japan.
Katsuhiko Iwata (岩田 克彦, Katsuhiko Iwata; 10 January 1933 – 27 January 2026), also known as Kei Taguchi (田口 計, Kei…Katsuhiko Iwata (岩田 克彦, Katsuhiko Iwata; 10 January 1933 – 27 January 2026), also known as Kei Taguchi (田口 計, Kei Taguchi), was a Japanese actor. He is most famous for playing villains and appeared in many jidaigeki and detective television dramas as a guest. He is also known as voice actor. Taguchi graduated from University of Tokyo.His career as a screen actor started in 1955. His first film appearance was in the 1955 film Aisureba Koso directed by Satsuo Yamamoto. His son Kazuki Iwata is also actor. Taguchi died on 27 January 2026, at the age of 93.
Masashi Ishibashi (石橋雅史, Ishibashi Masashi; January 4, 1933 – December 19, 2018), was a Japanese karateka and actor. A…Masashi Ishibashi (石橋雅史, Ishibashi Masashi; January 4, 1933 – December 19, 2018), was a Japanese karateka and actor. A 7th dan black belt in Kyokushin Karate, he was an early instructor of the style under Mas Oyama, with notable students including Sonny Chiba and Terutomo Yamazaki. As an actor, Ishibashi had an extensive career in Japanese television, where was famous as portraying villains in historical dramas. He had significant presence in television productions like NHK's Taiga drama series, The Unfettered Shogun, and the Hissatsu series. He also had frequent roles in various 1970s and 1980s tokusatsu series, most notably in Super Sentai series. His movie career was mostly specialized in martial arts movies and crime dramas, including many with his longtime student Chiba.
Tatsuya Nakadai (仲代 達矢, Nakadai Tatsuya; born Motohisa Nakadai; December 13, 1932 – November 8, 2025) was a Japanese…Tatsuya Nakadai (仲代 達矢, Nakadai Tatsuya; born Motohisa Nakadai; December 13, 1932 – November 8, 2025) was a Japanese actor. Widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in the history of cinema, he collaborated extensively with many of Japan's best-known and acclaimed directors. In his over seven decade career, he appeared in more than 160 films, and received numerous accolades. He was honored with a Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1996 and Japan's Order of Culture in 2015. Discovered on the streets of Tokyo by director Masaki Kobayashi, Nakadai rose to prominence starring in Kobayashi's films, with his breakthrough being in the epic anti-war trilogy The Human Condition (1959–1961). He won the Blue Ribbon Award for Best Actor for his performance as the vengeful ronin in Harakiri (1962), a role he considered his finest. Nakadai collaborated on eleven films with Kobayashi—including Kwaidan (1964) and Samurai Rebellion (1967)—and five with Akira Kurosawa, most notably as the doomed warlord in Ran (1985), a performance that earned global acclaim. His other notable credits include Seven Samurai (1954), Conflagration (1958), When a Woman Ascends the Stairs (1960), Yojimbo (1961), Sanjuro (1962), High and Low (1963), The Sword of Doom, The Face of Another (both 1966), Kill! (1968), Goyokin (1969), Kagemusha (1980), and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013). A lifelong stage actor, he founded the acting school Mumeijuku in 1975 and continued performing on stage into his nineties.
Kunie Tanaka (Japanese: 田中 邦衛, Hepburn: Tanaka Kunie; November 23, 1932 – March 24, 2021) was a Japanese actor. Tanaka…Kunie Tanaka (Japanese: 田中 邦衛, Hepburn: Tanaka Kunie; November 23, 1932 – March 24, 2021) was a Japanese actor. Tanaka first made a name for himself as the lecherous antagonist of the Wakadaishō series (1961–1981) of films. He is also well-known for his roles in Kinji Fukasaku's yakuza films, namely the Battles Without Honor and Humanity series (1973–1974), and for starring in the Kita no Kuni Kara (1981–2002) television series. Tanaka was nominated for five Japanese Academy Awards, winning Best Supporting Actor for Gakko in 1993. He also won the Blue Ribbon Award for Best Supporting Actor for Nogare no Machi and Izakaya Chōji in 1983, and the Blue Ribbon Award for Best Actor for Uhohho Tankentai in 1986. For his contributions to the arts, the Japanese government decorated Tanaka with the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1999 and the Order of the Rising Sun in 2006.
Genzō Wakayama (若山 弦蔵, Wakayama Genzō; September 27, 1932 — May 18, 2021) was a Japanese actor, voice actor and DJ. He…Genzō Wakayama (若山 弦蔵, Wakayama Genzō; September 27, 1932 — May 18, 2021) was a Japanese actor, voice actor and DJ. He moved to Sapporo, Hokkaido as a youth and graduated from Sapporo South High School. Due to his low bass voice, Wakayama often voiced villainous or calm characters. He is the official Japanese dub-over artist of actors Sean Connery, Gene Barry, Raymond Burr, Hugh O'Brian and John Bromfield. Also, He was the first dub-over artist of Lee Marvin in his early days. As a disc jockey, Wakayama hosted a program on TBS Radio from 1973 to 1995 that ran for 5,700 installments. Wakayama also narrated over 800 episodes of the television jidaigeki The Unfettered Shogun from 1978 to 2003. He died due to heart failure on May 18, 2021. A private service was held by his family.
Yasuo Yamada (山田 康雄, Yamada Yasuo; 10 September 1932 – 19 March 1995) was a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator.…Yasuo Yamada (山田 康雄, Yamada Yasuo; 10 September 1932 – 19 March 1995) was a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator. His most well known and famous role was portraying Arsène Lupin III in the Lupin III series from 1971 to 1995. He was also the official Japanese dubbing voice actor of Clint Eastwood and Jean-Paul Belmondo.
Asei Kobayashi (小林 亜星, Kobayashi Asei; 11 August 1932 – 30 May 2021) was a Japanese composer. He was also a lyricist…Asei Kobayashi (小林 亜星, Kobayashi Asei; 11 August 1932 – 30 May 2021) was a Japanese composer. He was also a lyricist, actor, and multi-tarento. He could also sing songs and advertisement songs. Kobayashi was represented by Astro Music. He was the director of the Japan Songwriters Association (J-scat). Kobayashi served as the first president of the Dai Nihon Piman-sha Renmei (Dai Pi Ren). His songs are used in advertisements and television themes. Asei also composed the music for the 1991 Famicom video game Niji no Silkroad. A soundtrack CD was later released titled Rainbow Silkroad Image Album WINDY ROAD. He also composed The TV Asahi song in 1977 when the television station changed its name to its current name.
Yukio Aoshima (青島 幸男, Aoshima Yukio; 17 July 1932 – 20 December 2006) was a Japanese politician who served as Governor…Yukio Aoshima (青島 幸男, Aoshima Yukio; 17 July 1932 – 20 December 2006) was a Japanese politician who served as Governor of Tokyo from 1995 to 1999. He is also well known as a TV actor, novelist, film director, screenwriter and songwriter.
Kenji Sahara (佐原 健二, Sahara Kenji; born 14 May 1932) is a Japanese retired actor. He was born in Kawasaki City…Kenji Sahara (佐原 健二, Sahara Kenji; born 14 May 1932) is a Japanese retired actor. He was born in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa as Masayoshi Kato (加藤 正好, Katō Masayoshi). Initially, Sahara used the professional name Tadashi Ishihara before changing it when he secured the lead role in Rodan (1956).
Nobuo Kawai (川合伸旺, Kawai Nobuo; 18 April 1932 – 24 June 2006) was a Japanese actor. He is most famous for playing…Nobuo Kawai (川合伸旺, Kawai Nobuo; 18 April 1932 – 24 June 2006) was a Japanese actor. He is most famous for playing villains and appeared in many jidaigeki and detective television dramas as a guest. He was a member of Yukio Mishima's Roman Gekijo Theatre Company. He died of cerebral infarction at the age of 74.
Kenji Imai (今井健二, Imai Kenji; 31 March 1932) is a Japanese actor. He is most noted for playing villains and appeared in…Kenji Imai (今井健二, Imai Kenji; 31 March 1932) is a Japanese actor. He is most noted for playing villains and appeared in many jidaigeki and detective television dramas as a guest. After graduating from Meiji University, he signed a contract with Toei Company. He made his film debut with Yarodomo Omotee Dero. His hobby is fishing , and in 1983 he wrote an introductory book on fishing, "The Book That Makes Fish Bite on Their Own Will" (Shodensha Non-Book), which received a recommendation from Takakura Ken.
Kei Tani (谷啓, Tani Kei) (born Yasuo Watanabe (渡部 泰雄, Watanabe Yasuo); 22 February 1932 – 11 September 2010) was a…Kei Tani (谷啓, Tani Kei) (born Yasuo Watanabe (渡部 泰雄, Watanabe Yasuo); 22 February 1932 – 11 September 2010) was a Japanese comedian, actor and musician. Born in Tokyo, he learned to play the trombone and, while a student at Chuo University, began playing in jazz bands performing for American soldiers during the Occupation of Japan. He quit university and joined the City Slickers with Frankie Sakai in 1953. In 1956, he joined the comic-jazz band The Crazy Cats with Hajime Hana and Hitoshi Ueki. He came to fame when the Crazy Cats started appearing on television, especially through their variety show "Shabondama Holiday," and in movies, through comedy series such as the "Irresponsible" (Musekinin) series at Toho. Some of his nonsense one-word gags, such as "gachon" became buzzwords imitated throughout the nation. He also appeared alone in dramatic roles on film and television, was a regular in the "Tsuribaka Nisshi" film series, and continued to be a popular figure on variety TV. His real name was Yasuo Watanabe, but his stage name, especially with the Japanese name order "Tani Kei," was based on a pun on the name Danny Kaye. He died of a brain contusion on 11 September 2010 after falling down the stairs in his Mitaka home.
Toshiya Fujita (藤田 敏八, Fujita Toshiya; January 16, 1932 – August 30, 1997), also known as Shigeya Fujita (藤田繁矢, Fujita…Toshiya Fujita (藤田 敏八, Fujita Toshiya; January 16, 1932 – August 30, 1997), also known as Shigeya Fujita (藤田繁矢, Fujita Shigeya), was a Japanese film director, film actor, and screenwriter. He is well-regarded in Japan for his youth films but is best known abroad for Lady Snowblood and Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance, films not typical of his usual style.
Naoki Sugiura (杉浦直樹, Sugiura Naoki) (8 December 1931 – 21 September 2011) was a Japanese actor. He began his career on…Naoki Sugiura (杉浦直樹, Sugiura Naoki) (8 December 1931 – 21 September 2011) was a Japanese actor. He began his career on stage, beginning his film career in 1957.
Shintaro Katsu (Japanese: 勝 新太郎, Hepburn: Katsu Shintarō; 29 November 1931 – 21 June 1997) was a Japanese actor…Shintaro Katsu (Japanese: 勝 新太郎, Hepburn: Katsu Shintarō; 29 November 1931 – 21 June 1997) was a Japanese actor, singer, and filmmaker. He is known for starring in the Akumyo series, the Hoodlum Soldier series, the Hanzo the Razor series, and the Zatoichi series.
Chōsuke Ikariya (いかりや長介, Ikariya Chōsuke; November 1, 1931 – March 20, 2004) was a Japanese comedian and film actor…Chōsuke Ikariya (いかりや長介, Ikariya Chōsuke; November 1, 1931 – March 20, 2004) was a Japanese comedian and film actor, and leader of the comedy group The Drifters. His nickname was "Chō-san" (長さん).
Ken Utsui (宇津井健, Utsui Ken) (24 October 1931 – 14 March 2014) was a Japanese actor who worked on stage, film, and…Ken Utsui (宇津井健, Utsui Ken) (24 October 1931 – 14 March 2014) was a Japanese actor who worked on stage, film, and television from the 1950s to the 2010s.
Yoshiyuki Fukuda (福田 善之, Fukuda Yoshiyuki; Kōnosu Taizō (鴻巣 泰三), 21 October 1931 – 21 August 2025) was a Japanese…Yoshiyuki Fukuda (福田 善之, Fukuda Yoshiyuki; Kōnosu Taizō (鴻巣 泰三), 21 October 1931 – 21 August 2025) was a Japanese playwright, screenwriter and director. Remembered as one of the founding figures of the Angura ("underground") theatre movement in Japan, Fukuda also served as chairman of the Japan Directors Association from 2003 to 2007.