Japanese movie stars born in 1931
Here are 17 famous actors from Japan were born in 1931:
Ichikawa Raizō VIII
Ichikawa Raizō VIII (August 29, 1931 Kyoto-July 17, 1969 Tokyo) also known as Yoshiya Ota, Yoshio Takeuchi, 八代目 市川 雷蔵 Hachidaime Ichikawa Raizō, Yoshiya Ōta, Ichikawa Raizō or Raizô Ichikawa was a Japanese actor.
He was born in Kyoto, Japan on August 29, 1931. He was the eighth actor to take the name Ichikawa Raizō, following in the footsteps of his father, who was also an actor. From a young age, Raizō VIII showed a talent for acting and made his stage debut at the age of just five.
Raizō VIII went on to become one of the most prominent actors in Japanese cinema during the 1950s and 1960s. He starred in a wide range of films, from historical dramas to action movies, and was known for his intense performances and striking physical presence.
Despite his success, Raizō's personal life was plagued by tragedy. He suffered from health problems throughout his career, and was diagnosed with leukemia in 1966. He continued to act even as his health deteriorated, but passed away on July 17, 1969, at the age of just 37.
Raizō VIII's legacy lived on after his death, with many of his films still regarded as classics of Japanese cinema. He was also posthumously awarded the prestigious Order of the Rising Sun, one of Japan's highest honors, in recognition of his contributions to the arts.
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Kōichi Kitamura
Kōichi Kitamura (December 18, 1931 Osaka Prefecture-October 2, 2007 Shinjuku) a.k.a. Koichi Kitamura, Kôichi Kitamura, 木村 一, Hajimu Kimura, 北村 弘一, Kimura Hajimu, Kitamura Kōichi or Kouichi Kitamura was a Japanese voice actor and actor.
Kōichi Kitamura started his career as an actor in the 1950s and starred in numerous Japanese films and television dramas. He began lending his voice to animated characters in the 1960s and became a prominent voice actor, voicing characters such as Doctor Eggman in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise and Doraemon in the anime series of the same name. Kitamura was also a prolific narrator and lent his voice to various documentary films and television shows. In addition to his voice acting and acting work, Kitamura was also a published author and wrote several novels and essays throughout his career. He passed away on October 2, 2007 due to liver cancer at the age of 75.
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Ken Takakura
Ken Takakura (February 16, 1931 Kitakyushu-November 10, 2014) also known as Gouichi Oda, Goichi Oda, Takakura Ken, The Japanese Clint Eastwood or Oda Gōichi was a Japanese actor.
Takakura was a prolific actor who appeared in over 200 films throughout his career. He was best known for his tough-guy roles in yakuza films, such as Street Mobster (1972) and The Yakuza (1974), as well as in cop dramas like The Bullet Train (1975) and Black Rain (1989). He also starred in several international films, including Mr. Baseball (1992) and Rush Hour 2 (2001). In addition to his work in film, Takakura also appeared in television dramas and lent his voice to numerous anime films. He was known for his stoic presence on screen and was regarded as one of the most important actors in Japanese cinema history.
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Chosuke Ikariya
Chosuke Ikariya (November 1, 1931 Sumida, Tokyo-March 20, 2004 Minato) also known as Choichi Ikariya, Chō-san, Chōichi Ikariya, Ikariya Chōsuke, Chôsuke Ikariya or The Drifters was a Japanese comedian and actor. He had one child, .
Ikariya found his success in the entertainment industry as one of the founding members of the legendary Japanese comedy group, The Drifters in 1955 which also consisted of Koji Nakamoto, Akira Akasaka, Samu Miyazato and Shizuo Yamauchi. In addition to his successful comedy career, Ikariya also acted in numerous films and television dramas throughout his life. He was a talented musician and played the bass guitar for the Drifters. He was known for his unique style and charisma that made him a beloved figure in the entertainment industry of Japan for more than five decades. Ikariya's death in 2004 was a great loss to the entertainment industry and his many fans.
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Yonehiko Kitagawa
Yonehiko Kitagawa (June 9, 1931 Tokyo Prefecture-) a.k.a. Kunihiko Takeda, Kitagawa Yonehiko, Takeda Kunihiko, Kunihiko Kitagawa or Kitagawa Kunihiko is a Japanese voice actor and actor.
He is best known for his voice acting work in anime and video games, including the roles of Dr. Kuseno in "One-Punch Man", Professor Ochanomizu in "Astro Boy", and Dr. Light in "Mega Man". He has also appeared in numerous live-action films and television dramas, such as "Monsters, Inc." and "Black Rain". Additionally, he has served as a dubbing director for foreign films and television shows in Japan, including "Dallas" and "Dynasty". Kitagawa has received several awards for his contributions to the entertainment industry, including the Best Supporting Actor award at the 11th Japan Academy Prize ceremony for his role in "Black Rain". He continues to work as a voice actor and actor to this day.
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Sakyo Komatsu
Sakyo Komatsu (January 28, 1931 Nishi-ku, Osaka-July 26, 2011 Minoh) also known as Minoru Komatsu, Sakyô Komatsu or Sakyō Komatsu was a Japanese screenwriter, writer and actor.
He was best known for his science fiction works, including the novel "Japan Sinks", which was adapted into a popular film in 1973. Komatsu was a prolific writer, with over 60 books and numerous screenplays to his name. He won several awards throughout his career, including the prestigious Seiun Award for science fiction in 1973 and the Tanizaki Prize for literature in 1992. In addition to his writing, Komatsu also worked as a television host and actor, appearing in several Japanese dramas and films. He was a prominent figure in the Japanese entertainment industry and his works continue to be celebrated today.
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Takeshi Kusaka
Takeshi Kusaka (February 24, 1931 Toshima-) also known as Kusaka Takeshi is a Japanese actor, voice actor and businessperson.
He began his acting career in the late 1950s and went on to appear in numerous films and television dramas, including the acclaimed film "Kwaidan" and the popular NHK historical drama "Mito Kōmon". Kusaka is also known for his voice acting work, particularly in anime, where he has provided the voice for characters in series such as "Mobile Suit Gundam" and "Detective Conan". In addition to his acting and voice work, Kusaka is a successful businessperson and has owned and operated several companies throughout his career. He has been recognized for his contributions to the entertainment industry with numerous awards, including the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2004.
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Junpei Takiguchi
Junpei Takiguchi (April 17, 1931 Funabashi-August 29, 2011 Tokyo) also known as Kouhei Takiguchi, Junpei Taniguchi, Kōhei Takiguchi, Takiguchi Kōhei or Takiguchi Junpei was a Japanese actor and voice actor.
Junpei Takiguchi had an extensive career in both live-action and animation. He appeared in many popular TV dramas and films in Japan, including "The Unfaithful Wife," "Black Rain," and "Conflagration." He was also a prolific voice actor, lending his voice to many iconic anime characters such as Dracula in "Captain Tsubasa," Don Patch in "Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo," and Mr. Satan in "Dragon Ball Z." In addition to his acting work, Takiguchi was also a successful narrator, providing voiceovers for documentaries and other programs. He was known for his deep, distinctive voice and his ability to portray strong, authoritative characters. Despite suffering from ill health in his later years, Takiguchi continued to work in the entertainment industry until his death in 2011 at the age of 80.
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Masaaki Hatsumi
Masaaki Hatsumi (December 2, 1931 Noda-) is a Japanese actor.
In addition to being an actor, Masaaki Hatsumi is primarily known for his mastery in the martial art of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. He is the founder and grandmaster of Bujinkan, which combines nine traditional Japanese martial arts schools. Hatsumi began his martial arts training at a young age and went on to study under numerous renowned instructors. He has taught martial arts to people from around the world and is highly respected for his skill and knowledge. Hatsumi has also authored several books on martial arts and philosophy. In addition to his martial arts accomplishments, he has acted in several Japanese films and television shows.
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Shintaro Katsu
Shintaro Katsu (November 29, 1931 Chiba Prefecture-June 21, 1997 Kashiwa) also known as Katsu, Shintarou, Katsu-shin, Toshio Okumura, Katsu Shintarō, Katsutoshi Gatsu, Okumura Toshio, Shintarô Katsu or Katsumaru Kineya was a Japanese film producer, actor, singer, television director, screenwriter, film director and musician. His children are called Ryu Gan and Masami Okumura.
Katsu is best known for his role as the blind swordsman Zatoichi in a film series of the same name, which he also produced. He appeared in 26 Zatoichi films from 1962 to 1989, and the character became a cultural icon in Japan. Katsu also worked on other film series, including the Hanzo the Razor trilogy and the Hoodlum Soldier series. In addition to acting and producing, Katsu was a prolific musician, recording over 100 albums. He also directed several films and TV shows later in his career. Katsu was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1988 for his contributions to Japanese culture. He passed away in 1997 from throat cancer at the age of 65.
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Sakata Tōjūrō IV
Sakata Tōjūrō IV (December 31, 1931 Kyoto-) also known as Nakamura Ganjirō III, Nakamura Senjaku II, Narikomaya Yamashiroya, Senjaku Nakamura, Kōtarō Hayashi, Hirotarō Hayashi, Sakata Yondaime or Yondaime Sakata Tōjūrō is a Japanese actor. His children are called Hirotaro and Tomotaro.
Sakata Tōjūrō IV is widely considered one of the best kabuki actors of the 20th century, with a career spanning over 60 years. He is renowned for his skillful interpretations of both male and female roles in kabuki, as well as for his dynamic stage presence and powerful vocal delivery. In addition to his work in traditional theater, Sakata has also appeared in films and television dramas, and has been recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout his career. Outside of his theatrical work, Sakata is also known for his philanthropic endeavors, particularly his efforts to support organizations working with people living with disabilities. Despite his age, Sakata continues to perform regularly, and is widely regarded as a living legend of Japanese theater.
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Ken Utsui
Ken Utsui (October 24, 1931 Koto, Tokyo-March 14, 2014 Nagoya) was a Japanese actor. He had one child, .
Ken Utsui was a well-known actor in Japan, best known for his roles in the popular superhero film franchise, "Super Giant." He played the title character in the films, which were produced by Shintoho from 1957 to 1959. Utsui also appeared in numerous other films and television dramas throughout his career. He was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1994 for his contributions to Japanese culture. In addition to his acting work, Utsui was also known for his philanthropy, particularly his efforts to support people with disabilities. He founded the "Ken Utsui Smile Safari" program in 1987, which took children with disabilities on trips to various locations around Japan. He continued to work as an actor until his death in 2014 at the age of 82.
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Naoki Sugiura
Naoki Sugiura (December 8, 1931 Okazaki-September 21, 2011 Tokyo) a.k.a. Sugiura Naoki was a Japanese actor.
He began his acting career in the 1950s and gained fame for his roles in films like "Nichiren to Mōko Daishūrai" (1958) and "Sengoku Yarō" (1963). Sugiura was also a prolific TV actor, appearing in popular series such as "Monkey", "Kita no kuni kara" and "Ikebukuro West Gate Park". He was the recipient of the Best Actor award at the 7th Japan Academy Prize for his performance in the film "Humanity and Paper Balloons" (1959). In addition to acting, Sugiura was also a writer and director, having published several books and directed a number of films.
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Shinsuke Mikimoto
Shinsuke Mikimoto (May 22, 1931 Kanazawa-August 5, 2002 Setagaya) a.k.a. Mikimoto Shinsuke was a Japanese actor.
He began his acting career in 1951 when he appeared in the movie "Ushimitsu no mura". Mikimoto appeared in over 100 films and Television dramas throughout his career. Some of his notable works include the films "The War of the Gargantuas" (1966), "Branded to Kill" (1967), and "Black Rain" (1989). He also appeared in the TV series "Zenigata Heiji" and "Mito Kōmon". Mikimoto was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Japan Academy Prize for his role in the 1991 film "My Sons". He passed away in 2002 at the age of 71 due to lung cancer.
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Minoru Yada
Minoru Yada (April 27, 1931 Tokyo Prefecture-) a.k.a. Yada Minoru is a Japanese actor, voice actor and singer.
He was a prolific voice actor known for lending his voice to many popular characters in anime such as Doctor Slump and Dragon Ball. Yada started his career in the entertainment industry in the 1950s as an actor in live-action films and television dramas. In the 1960s, he began doing voice work for anime and tokusatsu productions. He won the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 1st Seiyu Awards for his work in the anime series Berserk. Yada continued to work up until his death, with his final role being the narrator in the anime film, Dragon Ball Super: Broly. In addition to his acting and voice work, Yada recorded and released several songs throughout his career.
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Koichi Chiba
Koichi Chiba (August 13, 1931 Iwate Prefecture-November 9, 2001) also known as Kôichi Chiba was a Japanese actor and voice actor.
He began his acting career in the 1950s and appeared in over 100 films and television dramas throughout his career. He was known for his work in action films, often playing tough or villainous characters. Chiba also lent his voice to numerous anime series and films, including Mobile Suit Gundam and Dragon Ball Z. In addition to acting, Chiba was a skilled martial artist and held a fifth-degree black belt in karate. He passed away at the age of 70 due to kidney failure.
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Takanobu Hozumi
Takanobu Hozumi (July 20, 1931 Ohito-) a.k.a. Suzuki Takanobi or Takanobu Suzuki is a Japanese actor and voice actor. He has one child, Yukari Hozumi.
Hozumi started his career in the entertainment industry as an actor, often appearing in television dramas and movies. In the 1970s, he transitioned into voice acting and became a prominent figure in the industry. He is best known for his roles in popular anime series such as "Captain Harlock," "Saint Seiya," and "Dragon Ball Z."
Aside from his work in entertainment, Hozumi has also been involved in various charity activities. He served as the chairman of the Japan UNICEF Association from 1997 to 2003 and was also a goodwill ambassador for the organization.
In recognition of his contributions to the entertainment industry, Hozumi has received several awards throughout his career, including the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 5th Japan Academy Prize ceremony for his role in the film "The Beast to Die."
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