Japanese movie stars born in 1923
Here are 8 famous actors from Japan were born in 1923:
Seijun Suzuki
Seijun Suzuki (May 24, 1923 Nihonbashi-) also known as Seitaro Suzuki, Suzuki Seitarō, Suzuki Seijun, 鈴木 清太郎 or 鈴木 清順 is a Japanese film director, writer, television director, actor and screenwriter.
He was born and raised in Tokyo, and began his career in the film industry in the 1940s. Suzuki became known for his stylish and unconventional approach to filmmaking, and is considered a cult iconoclast in the world of Japanese cinema. He directed over 40 films, including the critically acclaimed "Branded to Kill" and "Tokyo Drifter". Suzuki's work often featured elements of film noir and yakuza, and he was known for his use of vibrant colors and bold visual imagery. After a dispute with his studio, he was blacklisted from the Japanese film industry for several years, but later enjoyed a resurgence in popularity and critical acclaim. He continued to work well into his 80s, and was awarded multiple lifetime achievement awards for his contributions to Japanese cinema.
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Rentarō Mikuni
Rentarō Mikuni (January 20, 1923 Ota-April 14, 2013 Inagi) a.k.a. Masao Sato, Rentarô Mikuni, Mikuni Rentarō or Sato Masao was a Japanese actor. He had one child, Kōichi Satō.
Mikuni was born as Masao Sato in Ota, Tokyo, Japan. After graduating from high school, he pursued a career in acting and made his debut on stage in 1940. He began his film career in 1951 and quickly became a prolific and renowned actor in Japan. He starred in over 160 films throughout his career, including several films directed by acclaimed director Akira Kurosawa. In addition to his film work, Mikuni also appeared on television and in stage productions. Mikuni was a recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including the Order of the Rising Sun, the highest honor given by the Japanese government to individuals who have made significant cultural contributions to Japan. He passed away on April 14, 2013, at the age of 90, in Inagi, Tokyo, Japan.
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Isao Kimura
Isao Kimura (July 22, 1923 Hiroshima-July 4, 1981 Tokyo) also known as Ko Kimura, Kimura Isao? or Kō Kimura was a Japanese actor.
He began his career in entertainment as a child actor in the 1930s and went on to star in over 200 films. Kimura became known for his roles in samurai and yakuza movies, but also appeared in dramas and comedies.
In 1952, he formed his own production company, Isao Productions, and began producing and directing films. He was also a accomplished stage actor, performing in theater productions throughout his career.
Kimura was widely recognized for his talent and contributions to the Japanese film industry. He received numerous awards for his acting, including the prestigious Blue Ribbon Award for Best Actor in 1955 and 1959.
Despite his success on screen, Kimura struggled with personal issues throughout his life. He was known to be a heavy drinker and had a tumultuous love life. Kimura passed away in 1981 from liver cancer at the age of 57.
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Eiji Funakoshi
Eiji Funakoshi (March 17, 1923 Tokyo-March 17, 2007 Shizuoka) a.k.a. Eijiro Funakoshi, Funakoshi Eiji or Eijirō Funakoshi was a Japanese actor. He had one child, Eiichiro Funakoshi.
Eiji Funakoshi began his acting career in 1942 with the movie "Gokuraku zakura" and went on to appear in over 100 films throughout his career. He was known for his roles in samurai films such as "Chushingura" and "The Tale of Zatoichi." He also appeared in international films such as "The Yakuza" and "Black Rain." Funakoshi was a dedicated actor, often performing his own stunts and continually honing his craft. In addition to his work in film, he also appeared in several television dramas and stage productions. Eiji Funakoshi was a beloved figure in the Japanese acting community, and his contributions to the industry will not be forgotten.
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Nobuo Kaneko
Nobuo Kaneko (March 27, 1923 Taitō-January 20, 1995 Chiyoda, Tokyo) also known as Kaneko Nobuo was a Japanese actor.
Kaneko Nobuo started his career in theatres during the World War II but later found his passion in acting in the film industry. He made his film debut in 1947 with "Utamaro and His Five Women". Throughout his career, he appeared in more than 130 films and TV dramas. He was known for his versatility and played a wide range of roles from villains to comedic characters. Kaneko Nobuo also worked as a voice actor and dubber in a number of foreign films that were released in Japan. In 1969, he won the Japan Academy Prize for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "Kiga Kaikyo". He continued to act until his death in 1995 due to lung cancer.
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Kō Nishimura
Kō Nishimura (January 25, 1923 Sapporo-April 15, 1997 Tokyo) a.k.a. Ko Nishimura, Akira Nishimura, Nishimura Kō or 西村 晃 was a Japanese actor.
He started his acting career in 1952 with a small role in the film "Life of a Horse Trader". During his career, he appeared in over 200 films and TV dramas, often playing roles of authority figures such as politicians or police officers.
One of his most famous roles was in the classic Japanese film "Seven Samurai" directed by Akira Kurosawa, where he played the role of the samurai warrior Kyuzo. He also appeared in other Kurosawa films such as "Yojimbo" and "Sanjuro".
In addition to his acting career, Nishimura was also a talented calligrapher, creating works that were exhibited in galleries in Japan and internationally. He was also a co-founder of the Japan Calligraphy Education Foundation.
Nishimura passed away in 1997 due to liver cancer at the age of 74.
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Tomio Aoki
Tomio Aoki (October 7, 1923 Yokohama-January 24, 2004 Setagaya) also known as 突貫小僧, Aoki Tomio, Tokkan Kozō, 青木 富夫, Tokkan Kozo, Tokkan Kozou, Tokkan-Kozou, Tokkankozo, Tokkankozô, Tokankozô, Tokkan-kozô or Kozo Tokkan was a Japanese actor.
Tomio Aoki was best known for his role as the mischievous and streetwise title character in the 1932 silent film "Chimney Tongue" (煙突責任者, Entotsu sekininsha). He started his acting career at age 3 and was one of the most popular child actors in Japan during the 1920s and 1930s. After his success in "Chimney Tongue," Aoki appeared in several other films before retiring from acting in 1935. He later worked as a writer and illustrator and was also involved in the animation industry. Throughout his life, Aoki was dedicated to promoting the welfare of child actors and improving their working conditions. He wrote several books on the subject and was instrumental in establishing the Japan Children's Film Association in 1953.
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Jun Negami
Jun Negami (September 20, 1923 Nakano, Tokyo-October 24, 2005 Shinjuku) also known as Fujio Mori or Negami Jun was a Japanese actor.
He began his career as a stage actor, but eventually transitioned into film and television. Negami is best known for his roles in popular Japanese dramas and films such as "Oshin" and "Nemuri Kyoshiro." He also appeared in several Hollywood productions, including "Empire of the Sun" and "Black Rain." In addition to his acting career, Negami was also involved in music and released several albums during his lifetime. He was a highly respected figure in the Japanese entertainment industry and was awarded the Purple Ribbon Medal of Honor for his contributions to the arts in 1996.
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