Japanese movie stars born in 1924
Here are 6 famous actors from Japan were born in 1924:
Kihachi Okamoto
Kihachi Okamoto (February 17, 1924 Yonago-February 19, 2005 Tama-ku, Kawasaki) a.k.a. Kihachiro Okamoto was a Japanese film director, screenwriter and actor. His child is called Mami Okamoto.
Okamoto was known for his unique and versatile style, often blending elements of action, drama, and comedy in his films. He began his career in the film industry in the 1950s, working as an assistant director before directing his first feature, "Desperado Outpost," in 1959.
One of Okamoto's most famous films is "Sword of Doom" (1966), which is widely considered one of the greatest samurai films ever made. He also directed "Kill!" (1968), a satirical take on the samurai genre, and "Battle of Okinawa" (1971), a war film based on his own experiences as a soldier during World War II.
In addition to his work in film, Okamoto also wrote several books, including an autobiography in which he reflected on his experiences as a soldier during the war. He continued to work in the film industry until his death in 2005 at the age of 81.
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Rikidōzan
Rikidōzan (November 14, 1924 Hongwon County-December 15, 1963 Tokyo) a.k.a. ももた みつひろ, キム・シルラク, 力道山, りきどうざん, 역도산, Father of Puroresu, 金 信洛, Yeokdosan, Momota Mitsuhiro, Mitsuhiro Momota, 百田 光浩 or Kim Sin-rak was a Japanese sumo wrestler, actor and wrestler. His children are called Mitsuo Momota and Yoshihiro Momota.
After retiring from sumo wrestling, Rikidōzan played a pivotal role in the development of professional wrestling in Japan. He founded the Japan Wrestling Association in 1953, which later became the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance (JWA). He was considered the father of puroresu, a style of professional wrestling in Japan that combines elements of traditional Japanese wrestling and American-style professional wrestling.
Rikidōzan's popularity in Japan was immense, and he was one of the most well-known and respected celebrities in the country in the 1950s and early 1960s. He frequently appeared on television and in movies, and his matches drew huge crowds.
Tragically, Rikidōzan's life was cut short when he was stabbed in a nightclub in Tokyo in 1963. He died the following day due to complications from the injury. His death was a shock to the nation, and he is still remembered today as one of Japan's greatest athletes and cultural icons.
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Kōji Tsuruta
Kōji Tsuruta (December 6, 1924 Hamamatsu-June 16, 1987 Japan) also known as Kōji Tsuruta, Tsurata Koji, おの えいいち, Ono Eiichi, 鶴田 浩二, 小野 榮一, Eiichi Ono or Koji Tsuruta was a Japanese actor and singer.
He became popular in the post-World War II era, starring in numerous films and television shows. Tsuruta was known for his tough-guy persona and often played the lead in yakuza (Japanese mafia) movies. He was also a skilled singer and released several albums throughout his career. Tsuruta won several awards for his acting, including a Blue Ribbon Award for Best Actor in 1965. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1987 at the age of 62 due to liver cancer. Despite his untimely death, Tsuruta's legacy continues to live on through his memorable performances in Japanese cinema.
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Yoichi Numata
Yoichi Numata (July 19, 1924 Yubara-April 29, 2006 Tokorozawa) a.k.a. Mikamo Masaharu, Y. Numata, Masaharu Mikamo, ぬまた よういち, 美甘 正晴, 沼田 曜一 or みかも まさはる was a Japanese actor.
He was born in Yubara, Okayama Prefecture, Japan. Numata started his acting career in 1947 and appeared in over 200 films and TV shows throughout his career, which spanned nearly six decades.
Numata was best known for his roles in samurai films, particularly those directed by Akira Kurosawa. He appeared in Kurosawa's films "Seven Samurai," "Throne of Blood," "The Hidden Fortress," "Yojimbo," and "Sanjuro." He was also known for his versatile acting style, which allowed him to portray a wide range of characters, from villains to comedic sidekicks.
In addition to his acting career, Numata was also a prolific voiceover artist. He provided the Japanese dubbing for many foreign films, including "The Wizard of Oz" and "Gone with the Wind." He also provided the voice of the character Gojira in the Japanese version of the original "Godzilla" film.
Numata received numerous awards throughout his career, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Japanese Academy in 2000. He passed away in 2006 at the age of 81 due to pneumonia.
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Saburo Date
Saburo Date (March 27, 1924 Osaka-September 12, 1991) also known as Saburô Date, 伊達 三郎, だて さぶろう, Date Saburo, Sakura Shuntaro, だて たけし, 伊達 岳志, Takeshi Date, さくら しゅんたろう, 桜 春太郎, Shuntaro Sakura or Date Takeshi was a Japanese actor.
He began his acting career in 1947, starring in the film "Love Letter." Date went on to appear in numerous films and television dramas, including "Sword for Hire" and "The Makioka Sisters." He was often cast in samurai roles, and became known for his skilled sword fighting abilities on screen.
In addition to his acting career, Date was also a prolific writer and published several novels throughout his life. He was particularly interested in historical fiction and samurai stories, and drew on his experiences as an actor to create vivid, action-packed scenes.
Date's career spanned several decades, and he remained active in the entertainment industry until his death in 1991 at the age of 67. He left behind a legacy as one of Japan's most talented actors and writers, and his work continues to be celebrated by fans around the world.
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Akira Kume
Akira Kume (February 8, 1924 Tokyo-) also known as Kume Akira is a Japanese actor and voice actor. He has three children, Shusaku Kume, Daisaku Kume and Nanako Kume.
Akira Kume began his acting career in the 1940s and has since appeared in numerous films and television dramas. He has also lent his voice to a vast number of anime series, including classic titles like "Astro Boy" and "Speed Racer". Kume is known for his versatility as an actor, having played a wide range of characters from serious roles to comedic ones. He has won several awards including the Special Award at the 5th Seiyu Awards in 2011. Kume is also a writer and has published several books, including "The Voice Actor's Handbook" and "Akira Kume's Talking About Acting and Acting".
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