Here are 14 famous actors from Japan were born in 1936:
Tsutomu Yamazaki (December 2, 1936 Matsudo-) otherwise known as Yamazaki Tsutomu or Tsutomo Yamazaki is a Japanese actor. He has one child, Naoko Yamazaki.
Yamazaki began his career in the entertainment industry as a stage actor, before transitioning to television and film roles in the 1960s. He gained recognition for his versatile acting style and ability to embody a wide range of characters.
Throughout his career, Yamazaki has appeared in numerous films and TV dramas, including the internationally acclaimed film "Tampopo" (1985), directed by Juzo Itami. He has received several awards and nominations for his acting, including the Japan Academy Prize for Best Actor for his role in the film "Always: Sunset on Third Street" (2005).
In addition to his work on screen, Yamazaki has also lent his voice to various anime series and films, such as "Castle in the Sky" (1986) and "Grave of the Fireflies" (1988). He is also known for his work as a narrator and radio personality.
Yamazaki continues to be active in the entertainment industry, with recent appearances in TV dramas such as "Hanzawa Naoki" (2020) and "MIU404" (2020). He is considered a respected veteran actor in Japan and is admired by many for his longevity and contributions to the industry.
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Takeshi Aono (June 19, 1936 Asahikawa-April 9, 2012 Hachioji) also known as Aono Takeshi or Takesi Aono was a Japanese voice actor and actor.
He began his career in the 1960s, voicing characters in popular anime series such as "Gatchaman" and "Astro Boy". He became a prolific voice actor in the following decades, lending his voice to numerous characters in anime and video games including Piccolo in "Dragon Ball Z", Shiro Sanada in "Space Battleship Yamato", and Rasler Heios Nabradia in "Final Fantasy XII". Aono also acted in live-action dramas and films, including the internationally acclaimed movie "Tampopo". He received several awards for his voice acting work and was highly respected in the industry. Unfortunately, his career was cut short when he suffered a stroke in 2010, which led to his eventual passing in 2012 at the age of 75.
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Sandayū Dokumamushi (March 31, 1936 Tokyo-) also known as Dokumamushi Sandayū, Iyoshi Ishii, Ishii Iyoshi or Sandaiyuu Tanaka is a Japanese actor and tarento.
He started his career as an actor in 1955 and soon became a prominent figure in the Japanese entertainment industry. He appeared in various TV dramas and movies, showcasing his versatile acting skills. Some of his notable works include "Zatoichi the Fugitive," "Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi and the Chess Expert," and "The Human Condition."
In addition to his acting career, Sandayū Dokumamushi also ventured into the world of variety shows, becoming a popular tarento in the 1970s. He hosted his own show, "Dokumamushi no Otoko Dakara" and also appeared as a guest on other variety shows.
Throughout his long and successful career, Sandayū Dokumamushi has been recognized for his contribution to the Japanese entertainment industry. He has received various awards, including the Best Supporting Actor Award at the Japan Academy Awards and the Achievement Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
Even after retiring from the entertainment industry in 2011, Sandayū Dokumamushi remains a beloved figure in Japan and continues to inspire aspiring actors and entertainers.
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Kōji Wakamatsu (April 1, 1936 Wakuya-October 17, 2012 Shinjuku) a.k.a. Takashi Ito, Wakamatsu Kōji, Ito Takashi, Kôji Wakamatsu or Koji Wakamatsu was a Japanese film director, screenwriter, film producer and actor.
He was best known for his politically charged and controversial films that tackled themes of sex, violence, and social upheaval. Wakamatsu began his career in the film industry in the late 1950s as an assistant director, and by the 1960s, he had become a prominent figure in the Japanese New Wave movement. He co-founded the production company, Wakamatsu Productions, which became known for producing films that pushed the boundaries of censorship laws in Japan. Some of his notable films include "Violated Angels," "Ecstasy of the Angels," and "United Red Army." In addition to his work in film, he was also a prolific author and political activist. Wakamatsu died in 2012 at the age of 76 after sustaining injuries in a fall from a building.
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Sanji Hase (January 2, 1936 Tokyo-March 8, 2002 Toshima) a.k.a. Hirao Hase was a Japanese actor and voice actor. His child is called Arihiro Hase.
Sanji Hase had a prolific career in the entertainment industry. He started his acting career in 1958 and appeared in numerous theater productions, films, and television dramas. He was also a prolific voice actor, lending his voice to various anime series and films.
Some of his notable works include the anime series "Gatchaman" where he provided the voice for the character of Jinpei, and the film "Godzilla vs. Gigan" where he played the role of Shosaku Takasugi. He also appeared in popular Japanese drama series such as "Abarenbo Shogun" and "Daimajin Kanon".
Apart from acting, Sanji Hase also worked as a scriptwriter and director for television dramas. His talent and contributions to the industry were recognized when he was awarded the Best Supporting Actor award at the 18th Japan Academy Prize for his role in the film "A Class to Remember".
Sanji Hase passed away on March 8, 2002, at the age of 66 due to heart disease.
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Takeshi Watabe (March 21, 1936 Kōchi Prefecture-December 13, 2010 Japan) otherwise known as Watabe Takeshi, Masato Maeno or Takeshi Watade was a Japanese voice actor and actor.
He graduated from Nihon University College of Art and began his career in the entertainment industry in the 1960s. Watabe became well-known for his deep, commanding voice and his ability to play a wide range of characters from heroic to villainous. He starred in many popular anime series such as "Doraemon" and "Dragon Ball," as well as Japanese dubs of popular foreign films like "Star Wars" and "The Terminator." In addition to voice acting, he also appeared in numerous live-action movies and TV dramas. Watabe was highly respected in the industry and was recognized for his contributions with several awards, including the Kei Tomiyama Memorial Award in 2004. He passed away at the age of 74 due to pneumonia.
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Kōtarō Satomi (November 28, 1936 Fujinomiya-) a.k.a. Kunitoshi Sano, Kotaro Satomi, Koutaro Satomi, Kôtarô Satomi or Satomi, Kotaro is a Japanese actor. He has one child, Keisuke Sano.
Kōtarō Satomi is a prolific actor in Japan, having starred in numerous television dramas and films throughout his career. He began his acting career in the 1960s and quickly gained popularity, becoming a household name in Japan. He is known for his versatility as an actor, having played a wide range of roles from serious dramas to comedy films.
Outside of acting, Satomi is also a successful businessman, having founded and run his own talent agency. He has been recognized for his contributions to the entertainment industry, winning awards such as the Best Supporting Actor at the Japan Academy Prize for his role in the film "Gojo reisenki".
Satomi continues to act to this day and is considered a living legend in the Japanese entertainment industry. He has inspired and influenced many young actors and actresses, and his legacy will continue to be felt for generations to come.
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Hiroshi Masuoka (August 7, 1936 Iwatsuki-ku, Saitama-) also known as Masuoka Hiroshi is a Japanese voice actor and actor.
Masuoka began his career in 1962 as a stage actor and made his voice acting debut in 1975 as the character Kazuo Kiriyama in the anime film "Saraba Itoshiki Hitoyo." He went on to voice many iconic characters in anime, including Masaru Kato in "Giant Robo," Doctor Gori in "Getter Robo," Papa in "Chibi Maruko-chan," and Hades in "Saint Seiya."
Aside from voice acting, Masuoka has also appeared in various live-action television dramas, films, and stage productions. He is known for his roles in "Waratte Koraete!," "Aibou: Season 16," and "Dai Nipponjin." Additionally, Masuoka has lent his voice to video games, commercials, and even parodies.
Over the course of his career, Masuoka has won several awards, including the Samurai Award in 2011 and the Seiyu Award in 2014. He continues to work in the entertainment industry and is considered one of Japan's top veteran voice actors.
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Hiroshi Kawaguchi (August 22, 1936 Tokyo-November 11, 1987) also known as 川口浩 was a Japanese actor.
Born in Tokyo in 1936, Hiroshi Kawaguchi grew up to become a popular actor in Japan. He started his acting career in the 1950s and appeared in a number of films and TV dramas throughout the 1960s and 70s. He was known for his charming and versatile performances, and was considered one of Japan's most talented actors of his generation. Kawaguchi was also involved in the production of several films and TV shows, and was highly respected in the Japanese entertainment industry. He passed away in 1987 at the age of 51, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and contributions to Japanese film and television.
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Kōsei Tomita (February 4, 1936 Tokyo Prefecture-) a.k.a. Kōkichi Tomita, Kôsei Tomita, Kousei Tomita, Kosei Tomita, Tomita Kōsei or Tomita Koukichi is a Japanese voice actor, entrepreneur, actor and narrator.
He started his career as a voice actor in 1960, and has since become known for his distinctive voice and versatile acting skills. Tomita has provided the voices for a wide variety of characters in anime, video games, and Japanese-dubbed films, including the character of Hades in the Japanese version of Disney's "Hercules". He has also appeared in over 100 films and television dramas, and has won numerous awards throughout his career. Tomita is also a successful entrepreneur, having founded his own talent agency, which represents some of Japan's most famous actors and voice actors.
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Kazuo Umezu (August 3, 1936 Kōya, Wakayama-) also known as Kauzo Umezu or Kazuo Umezz is a Japanese author, actor, musician, artist, writer and visual artist.
He is best known for his horror manga works such as "The Drifting Classroom" and "Cat Eyed Boy". Umezu started his career as a manga artist in the 1950s and became one of the pioneers in Japan's horror manga genre. His works often dealt with themes of supernatural horror, psychological terror, and the macabre. In addition to manga, Umezu has also written novels, screenplays, and produced artwork, which has been exhibited in galleries throughout Japan. He has won numerous awards for his contributions to Japanese literature and pop culture, including the Shogakukan Manga Award and the Special Prize at the Japan Cartoonists Association Awards. Despite his success, Umezu has remained a private figure, rarely giving interviews or making public appearances.
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Hisashi Igawa (November 17, 1936 Shenyang-) a.k.a. Igawa Hisashi is a Japanese actor.
Igawa Hisashi started his acting career in the 1960s and has since then appeared in numerous films, television dramas, and stage productions. He is known for his versatile acting skills and has played a wide range of characters ranging from serious dramatic roles to comedic ones.
Some of Igawa's notable performances include his role in the critically acclaimed film "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" (1983) directed by Nagisa Oshima and his role as the father in the popular television drama "Shomuni" (1998-2002). Igawa has received several awards for his contribution to the Japanese entertainment industry, including the prestigious Order of the Rising Sun decoration in 2009.
Apart from acting, Igawa is also known for his other artistic pursuits. He is a skilled calligrapher and has held exhibitions of his work in Japan and overseas. Igawa is also a respected stage director and has directed several productions of the celebrated Japanese playwright Yukio Mishima.
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Akira Kubo (December 1, 1936 Tokyo-) is a Japanese actor.
He started his acting career in 1955 in the film "Bakumatsu taiyoden" and went on to appear in over 100 films throughout his career. Kubo became known for his role in the 1965 film "Frankenstein Conquers the World" and his performances in Japanese science fiction films. He also appeared in several popular television dramas, including "Zenigata Heiji" and "Mito Komon." In addition to his acting career, Kubo has worked as a voice actor and has lent his voice to several animated films and television series. He retired from acting in 2001, but still makes occasional appearances at film festivals and other events.
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Tadanori Yokoo (June 27, 1936 Hyōgo Prefecture-) is a Japanese artist, film director, actor, screenwriter, cinematographer and film editor.
He is considered one of Japan's leading pop artists and graphic designers. Yokoo's surreal and psychedelic style was heavily influenced by European and American avant-garde movements, as well as traditional Japanese art. In the 1960s, he gained international recognition for his posters, album covers, and advertisements for leading Japanese brands, such as Coca-Cola and Shiseido. He later transitioned into film, directing and starring in several experimental works, such as "I Will Buy You" (1968) and "The Affair" (1967). Yokoo's unique style continues to influence contemporary artists and designers in Japan and around the world.
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