Japanese movie stars born in 1938
Here are 17 famous actors from Japan were born in 1938:
Makio Inoue
Makio Inoue (November 30, 1938 Yamanashi Prefecture-) a.k.a. Inoue Takao, Takao Inoue, Inoue Makio, Emaki Inou or Inou Emaki is a Japanese voice actor and actor.
He graduated from Yamanashi Prefectural Kofu High School, and originally wanted to be a teacher before pursuing a career as a voice actor. Inoue has had a prolific career, voicing characters in many popular anime series such as "Galaxy Express 999," "Space Battleship Yamato," "Legend of the Galactic Heroes," and "Captain Harlock." He is also known for his dubbing work, having voiced characters in Hollywood movies such as "The Godfather" and "Back to the Future." In addition to his voice acting work, Inoue has also acted in numerous stage plays and television dramas. He has received several accolades for his work, including the Merit Award at the 13th Seiyu Awards in 2019.
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Akira Kobayashi
Akira Kobayashi (November 3, 1938 Setagaya-) otherwise known as Kobayashi Akira, Maitogai, mighty guy, マイトガイ, 小林 旭, Kobayashi, 小林旭 or 고바야시 아키라 is a Japanese actor.
He started his acting career in the late 1950s and has since appeared in over 200 films and television dramas. Kobayashi gained popularity for his roles in yakuza films, notably his performance in the film series, "Battles Without Honor and Humanity" (1973-1974). He also starred in the TV drama "Oshin" (1983-1984), which was a huge hit in Japan and several other countries. In addition to acting, Kobayashi has also released several singles and albums as a singer. He has won multiple awards for his work, including the Japan Academy Prize for Best Actor twice. Kobayashi continues to act today and has become a legend in the Japanese entertainment industry.
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Nachi Nozawa
Nachi Nozawa (January 13, 1938 Tokyo Prefecture-October 30, 2010 Tokyo) also known as Yasutomo Nozawa, Shuji J. Nozawa, Shuji J.Nozawa, Nara Nozawa, Nozawa Nachi or Nozawa Yasutomo was a Japanese theatre director, voice actor and actor. He had one child, Soh Nozawa.
Nachi Nozawa was best known for his work in voice acting, having lent his voice to numerous anime characters throughout his career. Some of his most memorable roles include Inspector Zenigata in the Lupin III franchise, Doctor Hell in Mazinger Z, and Captain Hook in the Japanese dub of Disney's Peter Pan. Nozawa was also a prolific stage director, having worked on productions all over Japan and in other countries as well. In addition to his work in theatre and voice acting, Nozawa appeared in several films, including Akira Kurosawa's "Kagemusha" and Yoji Yamada's "Twilight Samurai." He was also known for his deep, distinctive voice, which garnered him a large fan following in Japan and around the world. Nozawa passed away in 2010 at the age of 72 due to a heart attack.
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Kei Tomiyama
Kei Tomiyama (October 31, 1938 Anshan-September 25, 1995 Shinjuku) also known as Kunichika Tomiyama, Tomiyama Kunichika, Tomiyama Kei or Toyama, Kei was a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator.
He is best known for his voice acting in popular anime series and films such as Space Battleship Yamato, Lupin III, and Mobile Suit Gundam. Tomiyama was a pioneer in the field of anime voice acting and was known for his distinct voice and range of character portrayals. He began his career as a stage actor in the 1960s before entering the world of voice acting in 1963. In addition to his work in anime, Tomiyama also lent his voice to numerous video games and television commercials. He passed away in 1995 at the age of 56 due to lung cancer. Despite his untimely death, his legacy in the anime industry lives on and he continues to be remembered as one of the most talented voice actors in Japanese entertainment history.
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Sadanoyama Shinmatsu
Sadanoyama Shinmatsu (February 18, 1938 Nagasaki-) a.k.a. 佐田乃山 晋松, さだのやま しんまつ, 佐田ノ山 晋松, Shinmatsu Sasada, Sasada Shinmatsu, Ichikawa Shinmatsu, Shinmatsu Ichikawa, 境川 尚, 出羽海 智敬, 中立 尚, 佐田乃山 照也, ささだ しんまつ, Shinmatsu Dewanoumi, でわのうみ ともたか, Sho Sakaigawa, Dewanoumi Shinmatsu, なかだち しょう, 佐田の山 晋松, Shinmatsu Sadanoyama, いちかわ しんまつ, さかいがわ しょう, Teruya Sadanoyama, 出羽海 晋松, Dewanoumi Tomotaka, Tomotaka Dewanoumi, でわのうみ しんまつ, Sho Nakadachi, Nakadachi Sho, さだのやま てるや, Sakaigawa Sho, Sadanoyama Teruya or 市川 晋松 is a Japanese sumo wrestler and actor.
Sadanoyama Shinmatsu was a successful sumo wrestler, who began his professional career in 1954. He was promoted to the top makuuchi division in just four years and became a ōzeki in 1960. However, he was never able to attain the rank of yokozuna despite being ranked at sekiwake or komusubi for a record 87 tournaments. He retired from sumo in 1968 and became an actor, appearing in over 30 films and TV dramas. He was also a successful sumo coach, training Yokozuna Takanohana Kenshi and other top wrestlers. He was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.
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Masaaki Tsukada
Masaaki Tsukada (December 16, 1938 Kawasaki-January 27, 2014 Yokohama) a.k.a. Tsukada Masaaki or Masa'aki Tsukada was a Japanese actor and voice acting in japan.
He started his career in the entertainment industry in the 1960s, where he appeared in numerous television dramas, films, and stage productions. In the 1970s, Tsukada began his voice acting career and became one of the most prominent voice actors in Japan.
Tsukada was known for his distinctive deep voice, which he used to great effect in his roles. He voiced many popular characters in anime, including Admiral Okita in "Space Battleship Yamato," Monkey D. Garp in "One Piece," and Dr. Hell in "Mazinger Z," among others.
Aside from his voice acting work, Tsukada was also a prolific narrator, lending his voice to many documentaries and educational programs. He was awarded the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 2nd Seiyu Awards in 2008 for his role in "Shion no Ō."
Tsukada's contributions to the Japanese entertainment industry were recognized posthumously when he was awarded the Merit Award at the 8th Seiyu Awards in 2014.
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Saburo Kamei
Saburo Kamei (April 3, 1938 Hokkaido-) is a Japanese voice actor and actor.
He graduated from Waseda University's School of Law and made his debut as a voice actor in 1964 in the anime series "Sazae-san" as Masuo Fuguta. Kamei has worked on various popular anime series such as "Cyborg 009," "Tiger Mask," and "Ashita no Joe." He is also known for his work as a live-action actor, appearing in films like "The Human Bullet" (1968) and "Lady Snowblood" (1973). In addition to his acting career, Kamei also teaches at the Toho Gakuen College of Drama and Music in Tokyo. He has received the Kei Tomiyama Memorial Award and the Merit Award at the Seiyuu Awards for his contribution to the voice acting industry in Japan.
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Hiroaki Aoki
Hiroaki Aoki (October 9, 1938 Tokyo-July 10, 2008 New York City) also known as Rocky Aoki was a Japanese actor. His children are called Devon Aoki, Steve Aoki, Kyle N. Aoki, Kana Grace Nootenboom, Kevin Y. Aoki, Echo V. Aoki and Jenifer Crumb.
Hiroaki Aoki was not only an actor, but also a successful businessman and the founder of the popular Japanese restaurant chain Benihana. After immigrating to the United States in the 1950s, he initially worked as a wrestler before opening the first Benihana restaurant in New York City in 1964. Aoki's unique concept of an interactive dining experience where diners could watch their meals being prepared on a teppanyaki grill by a chef has since become a popular trend in Japanese cuisine and an international franchise. In addition to his business venture, Aoki was a philanthropist and dedicated much of his time and resources to various charities and non-profit organizations.
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Fumio Demura
Fumio Demura (September 15, 1938 Yokohama-) a.k.a. Sensei, Shihan, 出村 文男 or Demura Fumio is a Japanese martial arts instructor, actor and stunt performer.
He is best known for popularizing traditional Okinawan karate in the United States, especially the Shito-ryu style. Demura began studying martial arts when he was just nine years old, and by age 12 he was already teaching at his dojo. He moved to California in the 1960s and opened his own dojo, where he trained many notable martial artists. In addition to his martial arts career, Demura has appeared in various films and television shows as a martial arts stunt performer and actor. He is perhaps most famous for his work on the Karate Kid film series, in which he served as a technical advisor and stunt double for Pat Morita's character, Mr. Miyagi. Throughout his career, Demura has earned numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the martial arts world.
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Shotaro Ishinomori
Shotaro Ishinomori (January 25, 1938 Tome-January 28, 1998 Tokyo) a.k.a. Shotaro Onodera, Shōtarō Ishinomori, Shotaro Ishimori, Shôtarô Ishinomori or Shôtarô Onodera was a Japanese mangaka, screenwriter, actor and film director. He had two children, Jou Onodera and .
His career as a manga artist began in 1956, and he quickly gained popularity with his work on the series "Cyborg 009". Throughout his career, Ishinomori created numerous other popular manga series, including "Kamen Rider" and "Super Sentai" which would later become the basis for the "Power Rangers" franchise in the West. He was known for his contributions to the tokusatsu genre, which combines live-action actors with special effects.
In addition to his work in manga and film, Ishinomori was also involved in social and political causes, including the anti-nuclear movement and the preservation of traditional Japanese culture. He was also a prolific writer and contributed articles to various magazines and newspapers throughout his lifetime.
Ishinomori passed away in 1998 at the age of 60, leaving behind an impressive legacy in the world of manga and tokusatsu. His impact on pop culture in Japan and around the world continues to be felt to this day.
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Mickey Curtis
Mickey Curtis (July 23, 1938 Tokyo-) also known as Brian Kachisu, Igarashi Shinjiro, Mikkî Kâchisu or Shinjirô Igarashi is a Japanese actor, singer and musician. His children are called , and .
Mickey Curtis started his career as a musician in the 1950s and became a part of the "Tokyo Rockers" movement. He was known for his unique sound and image which led him to become one of the top musicians in the country. In addition to his music career, he also acted in many films and television dramas. He played a significant role in popularizing "Group Sounds", a genre of music in Japan in the 1960s. He continued to sing and act throughout his career, and his contributions to the Japanese entertainment industry have been recognized with several awards, including the Order of the Rising Sun in 2008. Apart from his professional achievements, he is also known for his philanthropic work and has actively supported various social causes in Japan.
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Katsuo Nakamura
Katsuo Nakamura (April 23, 1938 Minato-) otherwise known as Katsuo Ogawa, Ogawa Katsuo or Nakamura Katsuo is a Japanese actor.
He is widely known for his performances in various films and television dramas, including "Shinobi no Mono", "Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno", and "Ieyasu Toku-gan: Uwasa no Tokugawa Yome". Nakamura has also appeared in numerous stage productions, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
Nakamura's acting career spans over five decades, during which he has received various accolades for his work. In 1996, he was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon by the Emperor of Japan for his contribution to the arts. In addition, he has been recognized with numerous awards such as the Japan Academy Prize for Best Supporting Actor and the Mainichi Film Award for Best Actor.
Aside from his acting career, Nakamura has also served as the chairman of the Nihon Eiga Actor's Association and is actively involved in promoting the welfare of actors in Japan. He is also a prolific writer, having published several books on his experiences in the entertainment industry, including "Katsuo Nakamura no Eiga Jinsei" and "Shinjuku Shouwa Monogatari".
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Peter Miles
Peter Miles (April 1, 1938 Tokyo-August 3, 2002 Los Angeles) also known as Gerald Perreau, Gerald Perreau-Saissine, Gerald Richard Perreau-Saussine or Richard Miles was a Japanese writer and actor.
Peter Miles, born in Tokyo in 1938, was an accomplished writer and actor famous for his work in the entertainment industry. He also went by various other names, including Gerald Perreau, Gerald Perreau-Saissine, Gerald Richard Perreau-Saussine, and Richard Miles. As a writer, he authored several acclaimed books, including "The Making of a Japanese Peruvian" and "Five Tastes of Japan: Recipes from Tokyo's Top Restaurants."
Alongside his writing career, Miles was also a talented actor, appearing in several films and TV shows from the 1950s through the 1980s. Some of his notable acting credits include roles in "Mutiny on the Bounty," "The Adventures of Robin Hood," and "The Twilight Zone." He was also known for his voice work in animated projects such as "Star Blazers" and "Battle of the Planets."
Miles passed away in Los Angeles in 2002, leaving behind a rich legacy in both the literary and entertainment worlds.
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Go Kato
Go Kato (February 4, 1938 Haibara District, Shizuoka-) also known as Katô Gô, Gô Katô or 加藤 剛 is a Japanese actor. He has two children, Sanshiro Rai and Ryo Natsuhara.
Go Kato's career in acting spanned over 50 years, and he appeared in over 200 films and television dramas. He is known for his roles in movies such as "Shogun's Samurai", "The Bullet Train", and "Zatoichi the Outlaw". He won the Best Actor Award at the 19th Blue Ribbon Awards for his performance in "Daikanbu". In addition to acting, Kato also worked as a director and screenwriter. He was also a professor at Tokyo's Tama Art University, where he taught acting. Kato passed away on June 18, 2018, at the age of 80.
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Shingo Yamashiro
Shingo Yamashiro (November 10, 1938 Kyoto Prefecture-August 12, 2009 Machida) also known as Yasuji Watanabe or Watanabe Yasuji was a Japanese actor.
He started his acting career when he joined the Bungakuza theater group in 1960. He later became a reputed actor, appearing in various television dramas, stage productions, and films. His notable appearances in Japanese television dramas include "Taiyō ni Hoero!" and "Shiroi Kyotō".
In 1991, he won the Best Supporting Actor award at the Japan Academy Prize ceremony for his role in the film "Freeze Me". He also received recognition for his excellent acting skills in the theater productions of "Caligula" and "The Threepenny Opera".
Aside from his acting career, Yamashiro was also a skilled singer and musician. In 1983, he formed the band "Yamashiro Shingo no Tamashii no Uta" and released several singles and albums.
He passed away in 2009 at the age of 70 due to respiratory failure brought about by heart failure. His contributions to the Japanese entertainment industry have left a significant mark and his legacy continues to inspire aspiring actors and musicians in Japan.
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Nobuyuki Katsube
Nobuyuki Katsube (May 23, 1938 Tokyo City-) a.k.a. Katsube Nobuyuki is a Japanese actor and voice actor.
He started his career in the entertainment industry in the 1960s and has since appeared in many movies, TV dramas, and theatrical productions. Katsube is known for his deep and distinctive voice, which has earned him numerous roles in voice-over work for animated series, films, and video games. Some of his most popular voice acting roles include Dr. Wily in the Japanese version of the Mega Man video game series and Admiral Kizaru in the anime series One Piece. In addition to his work as an actor and voice actor, Katsube has also appeared on various TV programs and commercials throughout his career.
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Takeshi Miura
Takeshi Miura (April 2, 1938-December 9, 2013) was a Japanese actor.
He was best known for his roles in Japanese television dramas and movies, and was considered one of the most prominent actors of his generation. Miura began his career in the entertainment industry in the early 1960s, and quickly gained popularity for his exceptional acting skills and commanding screen presence. Throughout his career, he starred in over 100 films and television series, earning numerous awards and critical acclaim. Some of his most notable works include "The Yakuza," "Shogun's Samurai," and "The Gate of Youth." In addition to acting, Miura was also a very accomplished stage actor, and was highly respected by his peers in the theater industry. He passed away at the age of 75 after a long battle with lung cancer.
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