Japanese movie stars born in 1903
Here are 12 famous actors from Japan were born in 1903:
Chiezō Kataoka
Chiezō Kataoka (March 30, 1903 Ota-March 31, 1983) a.k.a. Chiezo Kataoka, Masayoshi Ueki, かたおか ちえぞう, うえき まさよし, 植木 正義, Ueki Masayoshi, 片岡 千恵蔵, 片岡 千惠藏, 植木 進 or うえき すすむ was a Japanese actor. He had two children, Yoshiharu Ueki and Chie Ueki.
Kataoka began his acting career in 1925 and became a popular leading man in films during the 1930s and 1940s. He appeared in over 200 films throughout his career, often playing samurai or yakuza characters. He was known for his strong and stoic performances, as well as his mastery of sword fighting scenes. Despite being drafted into the military during World War II, he continued to act in films throughout the war. After the war, he transitioned to television, appearing in numerous samurai series. Kataoka was awarded the Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon in 1975 and retired from acting in 1977. He passed away in 1983 at the age of 80.
Yoshio Kosugi
Yoshio Kosugi (September 15, 1903 Nikko-March 12, 1968) was a Japanese actor. His child is called .
Yoshio Kosugi was born in Nikko, Japan on September 15, 1903. He began his career in the entertainment industry as an actor and was known for his roles in various films and television dramas. His notable works include "Tora no o wo fumu otokotachi" (Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail), "The Three Treasures" and "Meiji taishô roman sandogasa".
Kosugi was married and had a son named Koji Kosugi, who also pursued a career in the entertainment industry. Yoshio Kosugi passed away in Tokyo, Japan on March 12, 1968, at the age of 64. His legacy lives on as one of the pioneers of the Japanese film industry.
Kanjūrō Arashi
Kanjūrō Arashi (December 8, 1903 Kyoto-October 21, 1980 Kyoto) also known as Kanjuro Arashi, Chosaburo Arashi, Chôsaburô Arashi, Teruichi Takahashi, Arakan, Arashi Kanjūrō, Arashi Nagasaburo, 嵐 寛壽郎, たかはし てるいち, あらし ながさぶろう, 嵐 長三郎, 嵐 徳太郎, Arashi Wakadayu, あらし とくたろう, Nagasaburo Arashi, 嵐 和歌太夫, Tokutaro Arashi, 高橋 照一, 嵐 寛寿郎, Takahashi Teruichi, Arashi Tokutaro, あらし わかだゆう, 天狗のおじさん, アラカン or Arashi Kanjuro was a Japanese actor.
He was best known for his roles in jidaigeki, historical dramas set in feudal Japan, and yakuza films. Arashi began his acting career in the 1920s, but it wasn't until the 1950s that he became a prominent figure in the film industry. He appeared in over 200 films during his career, often playing tough, no-nonsense characters. Arashi was also a martial arts expert, having trained in judo, kendo, and karate. He was a member of the Japan Action Club, an organization founded by legendary martial arts actor Sonny Chiba, and served as a mentor to actors such as Toshiro Mifune and Ken Takakura. Arashi received numerous awards for his contributions to Japanese cinema, including the Order of the Rising Sun, 4th Class, Gold Rays with Rosette in 1977.
Kyoji Sugi
Kyoji Sugi (July 8, 1903 Fukuoka-September 1, 1975) also known as Kyôji Sugi, Teisuke Sugi or Tadashi Shinsuke was a Japanese actor.
He appeared in over 200 films throughout his career which spanned four decades. Sugi was known for his versatility as an actor, playing a wide range of roles including samurai, police detectives, and villains. He began his acting career in 1925 and quickly rose to prominence, becoming one of the most sought-after actors in Japanese cinema. Some of his notable films include "Seven Samurai" (1954) directed by Akira Kurosawa and "Tokyo Twilight" (1957) directed by Yasujiro Ozu. Aside from acting, Sugi was also a skilled calligrapher and his work was highly regarded in Japan. He passed away in 1975 at the age of 72.
Kataoka Nizaemon XIII
Kataoka Nizaemon XIII (December 15, 1903 Tokyo-) also known as 片岡仁左衛門 (13代目), Kataoka Chiyonosuke, 片岡仁左衛門, かたおか にざえもん, Kataoka Nizaemon, かたおか ちよのすけ, 片岡 千代之助, じゅうさんだいめ かたおか にざえもん, 十三代目 片岡 仁左衛門, Chiyonosuke Kataoka or 四代目 片岡我當 is a Japanese actor. He has four children, Kataoka Nizaemon, Gato Kataoka V, Hidetaro Kataoka II and Shizuka Kataoka.
Kataoka Nizaemon XIII was born into a family of kabuki actors, with his father and grandfather also being famous kabuki performers. He began his acting career in the late 1910s and took on the stage name Kataoka Chiyonosuke. He became known for his roles in historical dramas and was particularly acclaimed for his portrayal of Yoshitsune, a historical figure from the 12th century. Throughout his career, Kataoka Nizaemon XIII has won many awards, including the prestigious Order of Culture from the Japanese government in 1971. He has also acted in films and television dramas, and has been recognized for his contributions to Japanese culture both domestically and internationally. Today, he is considered one of the greatest kabuki actors of the 20th century.
Tokihiko Okada
Tokihiko Okada (February 18, 1903 Tokyo-January 16, 1934) a.k.a. Kurao Nora or Eiichi Takahashi was a Japanese actor. He had one child, Mariko Okada.
Okada made his acting debut in 1924, and went on to star in many popular films throughout his career. He was best known for his roles in Yasujiro Ozu's films, including "I Was Born, But..." (1932) and "Passing Fancy" (1933). Okada's career was tragically cut short when he died at the young age of 30 from tuberculosis. Despite his short career, he left a lasting impact on Japanese cinema and is remembered as one of the greatest actors of his time.
Arata Shibata
Arata Shibata (June 16, 1903 Hakodate-) also known as Yûnoshin Kawakami is a Japanese actor.
He started his career in the entertainment industry in 1922 and appeared in over 200 films. Shibata's notable film roles include Hayamizu no Uta (1933), Mejiro Kaito-shi (1936) and Jigoku no Kagami (1948). He was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, 4th Class, Gold Rays with Rosette, for his contributions to the Japanese film industry. Shibata continued to act well into his 80s, and his last film appearance was in 1985.
Sumao Ishihara
Sumao Ishihara (May 1, 1903 Kobe-) is a Japanese actor.
Ishihara started his career as a stage actor before transitioning to film. He appeared in over 150 films, including Akira Kurosawa's "Rashomon" (1950) and "The Seven Samurai" (1954). Ishihara was also a prominent voice actor and contributed to many Japanese dubs of popular foreign films. In addition to his acting work, he was a judge for the prestigious Kinema Junpo awards. Ishihara's legacy in Japanese cinema has made him a respected figure in the industry.
Kenjiro Ishiyama
Kenjiro Ishiyama (October 10, 1903 Hiroshima-May 10, 1976) a.k.a. 石山健二郎, Ishiyama Kenjirō, 石山繁一 or Ishiyama Shigeichi was a Japanese actor. He had two children, Ritsu Ishiyama and Nobuko Ishiyama.
Ishiyama began his acting career in the 1920s as a member of the renowned Bungakuza theatre company. He made his film debut in 1929 and went on to appear in over 200 films throughout his career. Ishiyama was known for his versatility as an actor, appearing in a variety of genres ranging from action films to comedies to historical dramas. He also worked as a voice actor, lending his voice to animated films and television shows. In addition to his acting work, Ishiyama was also a writer and director, having written several screenplays and directed a few films. He received several awards for his contributions to Japanese cinema, including the Blue Ribbon Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film "Sword for Hire" in 1951. Ishiyama continued to work in the film industry until his death in 1976 at the age of 72.
Roppa Furukawa
Roppa Furukawa (August 13, 1903 Tokyo City-January 16, 1961 Hongō) also known as Ikuo Furukawa, Furukawa Roppa, Robba Furukawa, Roppa or Ikurō Furukawa was a Japanese actor, comedian, film critic and writer.
He was known for his unique style of acting and his versatility on stage and screen. Furukawa started his career in the entertainment industry as a stage actor in the 1920s, and later transitioned to film in the 1930s. He appeared in over 500 films throughout his career and became one of Japan's most beloved actors. His notable works include roles in films like "Bakumatsu Taiyoden" (1957), "The Human Condition" (1959), and "Yojimbo" (1961). Furukawa was also a prominent film critic, and he wrote several books and articles on film theory and history. He received numerous awards in his lifetime, including the Mainichi Film Award for Best Actor in 1957.
Ryushi Sanyutei
Ryushi Sanyutei (December 1, 1903-May 19, 1961) was a Japanese comedian and actor.
He was born as Tatsuo Satō in Kōbe, Japan, and later became famous under his stage name Ryushi Sanyutei. He was a prominent figure in rakugo, a form of traditional Japanese comedic storytelling. Sanyutei was known for his energetic and dynamic performances, as well as his skill in portraying a wide range of characters. Apart from his work in rakugo, he also appeared in numerous movies and television shows, solidifying his status as a beloved entertainer in Japan. Despite his success, Sanyutei lived a tragic life, plagued by financial difficulties and personal struggles. He ultimately died by suicide in 1961, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest rakugo performers of all time.
Sôji Kiyokawa
Sôji Kiyokawa (November 1, 1903 Saitama-December 18, 1984) otherwise known as Eiji Kiyokawa was a Japanese actor.
He began his career in the film industry during the silent film era and continued acting in films well into the 1980s. Kiyokawa was known for his versatile acting skills and appeared in a variety of genres such as drama, action, and comedy. Some of his notable films include "Tokyo Twilight" (1957), "The Human Condition" (1959), and "Kwaidan" (1964). Kiyokawa was also a popular voice actor and lent his voice to various anime films and television series. In addition to his acting career, he was a founding member of the Japan Actors Union and was instrumental in the establishment of better working conditions for actors in Japan.