Japanese movie stars born in 1911
Here are 11 famous actors from Japan were born in 1911:
Ishirō Honda
Ishirō Honda (May 7, 1911 Asahi-February 28, 1993 Tokyo) also known as Ishiro Honda, Inoshiro Honda, Ishirô Honda, ishiro, inoshiro or Inoshirô Honda was a Japanese film director, screenwriter, actor and television director.
He is best known for directing and co-writing the Godzilla movie franchise, starting with the original "Godzilla" (1954), which he co-wrote with screenwriter Takeo Murata. Honda's work in the Godzilla series and other kaiju films (giant monster movies) earned him the title "Godfather of Godzilla".
Prior to his work in science fiction, Honda studied film in France and worked as an assistant to legendary director Akira Kurosawa. He was also a member of the Japanese army during World War II, and was captured by the Chinese army and held as a prisoner of war.
In addition to his work in film, Honda also directed several episodes of the Japanese television series "Ultra Q" and its spin-off "Ultraman". He received numerous awards for his contributions to Japanese cinema, including the Order of the Sacred Treasure from the Japanese government in 1992.
Daisuke Katō
Daisuke Katō (February 18, 1911 Asakusa, Tokyo-July 31, 1975) also known as Tokunosuke Katō, Katô Daisuke, Katō Tokunosuke, Ichikawa Enji, Daisake Kato or Gyû-chan was a Japanese actor. He had one child, Haruyuki Katō.
Daisuke Katō made his acting debut in 1927 with the Makino film company and went on to appear in over 500 films in his career. He became known for his roles in jidaigeki (period dramas), notably in the popular Zatoichi film series. He also had a successful career in television, appearing in several popular programs such as "Abarenbō Shōgun" and "Saiyūki". In addition to his acting career, Katō was also a well-known sumo wrestling commentator. He was posthumously awarded the Order of the Rising Sun in 1975.
Masayuki Mori
Masayuki Mori (January 13, 1911 Shiroishi-ku, Sapporo-October 7, 1973 Tokyo) otherwise known as Yukimitsu Arishima, Mori Masayuki, Arishima Yukimitsu, ありしま ゆきみつ, もり まさゆき, 有島 行光 or 森 雅之 was a Japanese actor. He had two children, Aoi Nakajima and Junkichi Arishima.
Masayuki Mori began his career as an actor in 1931 in the Shochiku Kamata film studio. He appeared in a number of films during the 1930s, including Yasujiro Ozu's "The Only Son" (1936). With the outbreak of World War II, Mori was drafted into the army and served in the Philippines. After returning to Japan, he picked up his acting career once again and became known for his work in films by directors such as Akira Kurosawa and Kenji Mizoguchi, including "Ugetsu" (1953) and "Rashomon" (1950). Mori was also a prolific stage actor, performing in productions of Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, and Arthur Miller. He won the Blue Ribbon Award for Best Actor in 1954 and 1959, and the Japan Academy Prize for Best Actor in 1965. Mori passed away in 1973 at the age of 62 from liver cancer.
Kôtarô Bandô
Kôtarô Bandô (May 7, 1911 Tokyo-November 28, 1981) also known as Kenjiro Honma was a Japanese actor.
He began his career as a stage actor in Japan and eventually transitioned to film. Bandô appeared in over 150 films and played a variety of roles ranging from samurai to yakuza. He was known for his intense and powerful performances, often playing complicated and conflicted characters. In addition to his work in film and stage, Bandô was also a successful voice actor, lending his voice to characters in anime and video games. He received numerous awards throughout his career, including the Kinuyo Tanaka Award for his contributions to Japanese cinema.
Akitake Kôno
Akitake Kôno (October 8, 1911 Shimabara-March 17, 1978 Itō) a.k.a. 河野秋武, 山崎進蔵 or Akitake Kono was a Japanese actor.
Akitake Kôno began his acting career in the 1930s and went on to become a prominent actor in the Japanese film industry. He appeared in over 200 films throughout his career, working with some of the biggest names in Japanese cinema. Kôno was known for his versatility as an actor and was equally adept at playing dramatic and comedic roles. He was particularly noted for his performances in period films and his portrayal of samurai warriors. Kôno also worked in television in the later years of his career. He passed away in 1978 at the age of 66.
Nakajirô Tomita
Nakajirô Tomita (November 1, 1911 Tokyo-November 15, 1990) was a Japanese actor.
He began his acting career in 1932 and appeared in over 150 films throughout his career. Tomita was best known for his performances in period dramas and samurai films. He worked with some of the most renowned directors in Japanese cinema, including Yasujirô Ozu, Akira Kurosawa, and Masaki Kobayashi. In addition to his work in film, Tomita also acted in several TV dramas and was a popular voice actor in anime. He received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to Japanese cinema throughout his career.
Tokue Hanasawa
Tokue Hanasawa (October 18, 1911 Tokyo Prefecture-March 7, 2001 Shibuya) a.k.a. 花沢 徳衛, Hanasawa Tokue, 花澤 徳衛 or Tokue Hanazawa was a Japanese actor.
He began his acting career in the 1930s and appeared in over 300 films throughout his lifetime. He was known for his versatile skills and ability to portray various characters, from villains to comedic roles. Hanasawa is best known for his performances in the films "Kagemusha" and "Ran", both directed by Akira Kurosawa. He was also a frequent collaborator with director Yasujirō Ozu, appearing in several of his films including "Late Spring" and "Tokyo Twilight". Hanasawa was honored with the Best Supporting Actor award at the 22nd Japan Academy Prize for his performance in the film "Eijanaika" in 1982. He passed away at the age of 89 in Shibuya, Tokyo.
Kôkichi Takada
Kôkichi Takada (November 7, 1911 Hyōgo Prefecture-May 19, 1998 Kyoto) a.k.a. Kokichi Takada or Takeichi Kaijura was a Japanese actor. His child is called Miwa Takada.
Throughout his career, Kôkichi Takada appeared in numerous films and television dramas, earning recognition for his memorable performances. Some of his notable works include the films "Jigokumon" (1953), "The Human Condition" (1959-1961), and "Kawaita hana" (1964), and the television dramas "Mito Kōmon" (1969-2011) and "Hissatsu Shigotonin" (1979-1987). Takada was also known for his versatility as an actor, being able to play a wide range of characters with ease. Apart from acting, he also worked as a voice actor and narrator. Takada continued to act until his passing in 1998 at the age of 86.
Fuyuki Murakami
Fuyuki Murakami (December 23, 1911 Tokuyama, Yamaguchi-April 5, 2007) a.k.a. Murakami Saishū was a Japanese actor.
He began his career in the entertainment industry as a comedian in the 1930s, working in Tokyo's famed Asakusa district. In the 1940s, he transitioned to acting in films and quickly gained popularity for his roles in jidaigeki, or historical dramas. Murakami became known for his versatility and ability to portray a wide range of characters, from samurai to businessmen.
After World War II, he continued to act in films, television shows, and stage productions. He was particularly renowned for his work in the films of director Akira Kurosawa, with whom he collaborated on numerous occasions. In addition to his acting work, Murakami was also a respected calligrapher and poet.
Throughout his career, Murakami received numerous awards and accolades, including the Japan Academy Prize for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the film "Kagemusha" (1980). He remained active in the entertainment industry well into his later years and continued to be a beloved figure in Japanese popular culture until his passing in 2007.
Yutaka Sada
Yutaka Sada (March 30, 1911 Tokyo-) is a Japanese actor.
He started his career in the entertainment industry in the 1930s and appeared in numerous films, most notably in the critically acclaimed movie "The Human Condition" (1959). Sada has also starred in several famous TV dramas in Japan, including "Oshin" (1983-84) and "Tokugawa Ieyasu" (1983). In recognition of his contribution to Japanese cinema, he was awarded the Medal with Blue Ribbon in 1977. Sada retired from acting in 1984 but made a brief return to the screen in 1996 for the film "Sharaku." He is regarded as one of the most talented and versatile actors of his generation.
Kinshirô Iwao
Kinshirô Iwao (September 24, 1911 Tokyo-December 30, 1994 Koshigaya) was a Japanese voice actor and actor.
Iwao started his career in the entertainment industry as a stage actor during the 1930s. He made his debut as a voice actor in a radio drama in 1931 and soon became one of the most distinguished voice actors in Japan. Iwao lent his voice to many iconic characters in Japanese animation, including Inspector Zenigata in the "Lupin III" series, Shogun Yoritomo in "Kaze no Naka no Shougun", and Captain Nemo in "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea". He continued to work as a voice actor until the 1990s, and was also a mentor to many of the top voice actors in Japan today. In addition to his voice acting, Iwao also acted in several live-action films, including "The Seven Samurai" and "Throne of Blood" directed by Akira Kurosawa. Iwao received several awards during his career, including the Meritorious Service Award at the 3rd Seiyu Awards in 2009.