Japanese movie stars born in 1902
Here are 6 famous actors from Japan were born in 1902:
Ken Mitsuda
Ken Mitsuda (April 29, 1902 Tokyo-November 28, 1997) a.k.a. Kenji Mitsuda was a Japanese actor.
Ken Mitsuda began his career as a stage actor in Japan and acted in over 200 films throughout his career. His career spanned several decades, starting in the 1920s and lasting until the 1980s. He is best known for his roles in classic Japanese films such as "The Life of Oharu" (1952), "Tokyo Twilight" (1957), and "Sanjuro" (1962). Mitsuda also appeared in several American films, including "The Yakuza" (1974) and "Shogun" (1980), where he played the role of a daimyo. In addition to his acting career, Mitsuda was also a prolific voice actor, dubbing foreign films into Japanese. He was awarded the Japanese Academy Prize for Best Supporting Actor in 1981 for his performance in the film "The Gate of Youth." Mitsuda continued to act in films until his death in 1997 at the age of 95.
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Ganjirō Nakamura
Ganjirō Nakamura (February 17, 1902 Osaka-April 13, 1983) also known as Ganjirô Nakamura, Noburo Nakamura, Yoshio Hayashi, Tamataro Jitsukawa, Nakamura Ganjirō II, Hayashi Yoshio, Ganjiro Jitsukawa or Ganjiro Nakamura was a Japanese actor. He had two children, Sakata Tōjūrō IV and Tamao Nakamura.
Ganjirō Nakamura was considered to be one of Japan's greatest kabuki actors, and his career spanned six decades. He made his debut at the age of 17 in Osaka, and later moved to Tokyo to join the Kawarasaki-za theater. He was known for his expressive acting style and his ability to seamlessly switch between male and female roles.
Nakamura's career was temporarily put on hold during World War II, when he was drafted into the Japanese army. After the war, he returned to the stage and became a major star, receiving numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. He was designated a Living National Treasure in 1953, and was awarded the Order of Culture by the Japanese government in 1981.
In addition to his work in kabuki, Nakamura also appeared in a number of films, both in Japan and internationally. He was particularly well-known for his roles in the films of director Akira Kurosawa.
Nakamura died in 1983 at the age of 81, leaving behind a legacy as one of Japan's greatest actors.
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Kajirō Yamamoto
Kajirō Yamamoto (March 15, 1902 Kyōbashi-September 21, 1974 Japan) also known as Kajiro Yamamoto or Kajirô Yamamoto was a Japanese film director, screenwriter, actor and film producer.
Yamamoto began his career in the film industry as an actor, appearing in films such as Yasujirō Ozu's "Tokyo Chorus" (1931). However, it was his work behind the camera that earned him the most recognition. He directed over 50 films during his career, including the critically acclaimed "The Grand Hotel" (1936) and "Humanity and Paper Balloons" (1937).
Yamamoto was also known for his collaboration with the legendary filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. He produced Kurosawa's debut film "Sanshiro Sugata" (1943) and went on to produce several of his later works, including "Ikiru" (1952) and "Seven Samurai" (1954).
In addition to his work in the film industry, Yamamoto was also a member of the Japanese parliament from 1953 to 1958. He passed away in 1974 at the age of 72.
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Ryūnosuke Tsukigata
Ryūnosuke Tsukigata (March 18, 1902 Misato-August 30, 1970) a.k.a. 月形 龍之介, 門田 潔人, 月形 竜之介, 月形 龍之助, 中村 東鬼蔵, 門田 東鬼蔵, 月形 陽候, つきがた はるさぶろう, Tokizo Nakamura, Nakamura Tokizo, Kiyoto Monden, Monden Tokizo, Harusaburo Tsukigata, Tokizo Monden, Tsukigata Ryūnosuke, Monden Kiyoto, Tsukigata Harusaburo or Ryunosuke Tsukigata was a Japanese actor. He had one child, Tetsunosuke Tsukigata.
Ryūnosuke Tsukigata was born in Misato, Hiki-gun, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. He began his acting career in 1927, with his debut film "Gunchō Tsuma Kurabe". He appeared in more than 300 films during his career which spanned over four decades. Tsukigata was known for his versatile acting skills, and he played a wide range of roles from samurai to police officers. He was particularly renowned for his performances in jidaigeki (period dramas) and yakuza films. One of his most famous roles was as the ruthless Police Detective Tajima in Akira Kurosawa's "Stray Dog" (1949).
Tsukigata was also a director, and he directed a few films in the 1950s. He was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon, the Order of the Sacred Treasure (5th class), and the Order of the Rising Sun (4th class) for his contributions to Japanese cinema. He passed away on August 30, 1970, at the age of 68.
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Eisuke Takizawa
Eisuke Takizawa (September 6, 1902 Mita, Minato, Tokyo-November 29, 1965) also known as Eiichi Nariyama, Kinpachi Kajiwara, Ken Takizawa or Takizawa Eisuke was a Japanese film director, screenwriter and actor.
He began his career in the film industry as a scriptwriter, but quickly gained recognition for his unique directorial style. His early works, such as "The Typhoon" (1932) and "The Night Before (1933)", showcased his ability to blend drama and intrigue with stunning cinematography.
During World War II, Takizawa served as a propaganda film director for the Japanese government, producing films that supported the war effort. However, after the war, he openly criticized the government's actions and changed his name to Eiichi Nariyama as a form of protest.
He later returned to filmmaking, producing a number of successful films in the 1950s and 1960s. Takizawa was known for his ability to bring out powerful performances from his actors and his innovative use of camera angles and lighting. Some of his most notable works include "Hunting Rifle" (1957), "The Sands of Kurobe" (1960), and "Yojimbo" (1961).
Takizawa's contributions to the Japanese film industry were recognized with numerous awards, including the Best Director prize at the Cannes Film Festival for his work on "Hymn to a Tired Man" (1960). Despite his successes, he remained humble and committed to his craft until his death in 1965.
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Ureo Egawa
Ureo Egawa (May 7, 1902 Yokohama-May 20, 1970) otherwise known as Furetsu Nishiyama or Willy was a Japanese actor and film director.
He began his acting career in the early 1920s and quickly gained popularity for his performances in a number of silent films. As he progressed in his career, Egawa transitioned to directing and went on to direct several successful films, including "The Lady Pioneers" and "The Sister of Mercy".
In 1937, Egawa was drafted into the Japanese Imperial Army and served as a captain in World War II. After the war, he continued working in the film industry and also became a television personality. Egawa died in 1970 at the age of 68. His contributions to the film industry in Japan have earned him a place in the country's cinema history as one of its greatest stars.
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