Japanese movie stars born in 1939
Here are 13 famous actors from Japan were born in 1939:
Sonny Chiba
Sonny Chiba (January 23, 1939 Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-) also known as Sadaho Maeda, Shinichi Chiba, Justice Japan Sonny Chiba, Rindō Wachinaga, J.J. Sonny Chiba, Shinichi 'Sonny' Chiba, Shin'ici Chiba, Shin-ichi Chiba, Rindo Wachinaga, Shin'ichi Chiba, JJ Sonny Chiba, Sonny J. J. Chiba, Chiba Shin-Ichi, Sony Chiba, Rindô Wachinaga, Chiba Shin'ichi or Maeda Sadaho is a Japanese actor, film producer, martial artist, singer and film director. He has three children, Juri Manase, Gordon Chiba and J.J. Jr. Mackenyu.
Chiba started his career as a stuntman and eventually rose to fame in his home country of Japan for his roles in martial arts films such as "The Street Fighter" series. He later gained international recognition for his roles in Hollywood films such as "Kill Bill: Volume 1" and "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift". Besides acting, Chiba is also a trained martial artist and has earned multiple black belts in various disciplines. He is regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of martial arts cinema. In addition to his film career, Chiba is also a singer and has released multiple albums throughout his career.
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Masao Adachi
Masao Adachi (May 13, 1939 Fukuoka Prefecture-) a.k.a. Izuru Deguchi, Deru Deguchi, De Deguchi or Yoshiaki Ôtani is a Japanese film director, screenwriter, actor and film producer.
Adachi was a key figure in Japanese underground cinema during the 1960s and 1970s. He co-founded the film collective "Art Theater Guild" and directed several influential and controversial films such as "Gushing Prayer" and "Galaxy". In the 1970s, Adachi became involved with the Japanese Red Army and was arrested in Lebanon for his involvement in a hijacking. He spent several years in prison before being released and returning to Japan in the 2000s. Adachi continued to make films and became known for his avant-garde approach and politically charged content. Today, he is regarded as a pioneer of Japanese avant-garde cinema and a leading figure in radical filmmaking.
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Yuya Uchida
Yuya Uchida (November 17, 1939 Nishinomiya-) also known as Uchida, Yuya, Uchida Yūya or Yûya Uchida is a Japanese actor, singer and voice actor. He has one child, Yayako Uchida.
Yuya Uchida began his career in the entertainment industry in the early 1960s as the lead vocalist and guitarist for the popular Japanese rock band The Flowers. In addition to his musical success, he soon began appearing in films and television shows, building a reputation as a versatile and talented actor.
Over the years, Yuya Uchida has become a fixture in the Japanese entertainment industry, appearing in dozens of films and television shows. He is also well-known for his work as a voice actor, lending his voice to numerous animated series and feature films.
Despite his busy schedule, Yuya Uchida has remained active in the music world, continuing to perform and record music throughout his career. He has also worked as a producer, helping to launch the careers of several successful Japanese musicians.
With his talent and versatility, Yuya Uchida has become a beloved figure in Japanese entertainment, inspiring generations of fans and fellow performers alike.
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Toku Nishio
Toku Nishio (September 12, 1939 Gifu Prefecture-July 19, 2005) also known as Nishio Toku was a Japanese actor and voice actor.
He began his career as an actor in 1964 and appeared in numerous films and television dramas throughout his career. However, he is best known for his voice acting work, particularly in anime. He lent his voice to many popular anime series such as "Neon Genesis Evangelion," "Dragon Ball Z," and "One Piece." He also provided the voice for the character of Captain Hook in the Japanese dub of Disney's "Peter Pan." Nishio was known for his distinctive voice and his ability to bring depth and nuance to his performances. He passed away in 2005 at the age of 65.
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Ichikawa Ennosuke III
Ichikawa Ennosuke III (December 9, 1939 Tokyo-) a.k.a. Masahiko Kinoshi, Ichikawa Danko III, Omodakaya or Ichikawa En'ō II is a Japanese actor. His child is called Teruyuki Kagawa.
Ichikawa Ennosuke III is best known for his performances in kabuki theatre, where he has played a wide range of roles and garnered critical acclaim. He is also a recognized leader in the field of contemporary kabuki, working to update the traditional art form for modern audiences while still maintaining its historical integrity. In addition to his work in kabuki, Ennosuke has also appeared in numerous films and television shows, both in Japan and internationally. He has won several awards for his acting, including the Japan Academy Prize for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the film "Shinoda no Sakana" (1994). Ennosuke is also a prominent social activist, focusing on environmental issues and serving as the chairman of the Ikimono Club, a conservation organization focused on protecting wildlife habitats.
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Tetsuya Chiba
Tetsuya Chiba (January 11, 1939 Chūō-) also known as Taro Nami is a Japanese writer, actor and mangaka.
He is the creator of several popular manga series such as "Ashita no Joe", "Notari Matsutaro", and "Wounded Man". Chiba's manga often featured characters from the lower-class who are struggling to achieve their dreams and goals. In addition to his work as a mangaka, Chiba has also written several screenplays and acted in various films and TV dramas. He continues to be an influential figure in the world of manga and has received numerous awards for his contributions to the industry.
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Yoshisada Sakaguchi
Yoshisada Sakaguchi (October 2, 1939 Tokyo Prefecture-) a.k.a. Sakaguchi Yoshisada, Jeong Y. Sakaguchi or 坂口芳貞 is a Japanese actor, voice actor and professor.
He is best known for his voice acting roles in popular anime series such as "Dragon Ball Z" where he played the character Shenron, "Naruto" where he played the character of Chiyo, and "One Piece" where he played the character of Dr. Kureha. Sakaguchi has also acted in various television dramas and films throughout his career. Aside from his work in the entertainment industry, he is also a professor at Tama Art University in Tokyo where he has taught acting since 2000. Additionally, Sakaguchi is a former national rugby player and still actively participates in the sport by coaching and serving as an ambassador for the sport in Japan.
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Susumu Kurobe
Susumu Kurobe (October 22, 1939 Kurobe-) a.k.a. Kurobe Susumu, Yoshimoto Takashi or Takashi Yoshimoto is a Japanese actor. He has one child, Takami Yoshimoto.
Susumu Kurobe is best known for his role as Shin Hayata in the Japanese tokusatsu television series "Ultraman" (1966-1967). He reprised his role in several Ultraman spin-offs and films, including "Ultraman: The Adventure Begins" (1987) and "Ultraman Ginga S the Movie: Decisive Battle! The 10 Ultra Warriors!!" (2015). In addition to his acting career, Kurobe has also done voice-over work for Japanese dubs of foreign films and TV shows. He has received several awards for his contributions to the entertainment industry, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Shinagawa Ward in Tokyo in 2016.
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Shin Kishida
Shin Kishida (October 17, 1939 Asagaya-December 28, 1982 Tokyo) a.k.a. Shin Akekawa, Akekawa Shin, Kishida Shin or Mori Kishida was a Japanese actor, voice actor, playwright and theatre director.
Kishida began his acting career in the early 1960s and eventually became a prominent figure in the Japanese entertainment industry. He starred in several movies and television dramas, including the popular period drama "Mito Kōmon". In addition to his acting work, Kishida was also a playwright and theatre director, known for his avant-garde productions. He founded his own theatre company, called Shin Kishida Theatre, and produced a number of plays throughout his career. Kishida also worked as a voice actor, lending his voice to several anime and film productions. His life was tragically cut short when he died of cancer at the age of 43.
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Gō Wakabayashi
Gō Wakabayashi (September 5, 1939 Nagasaki-) also known as Hisaaki Moritake, Moritake Hisaaki, わかばやし ごう, もりたけ ひさあき, 森武久明, Wakabayashi Gō or 若林 豪 is a Japanese actor. He has one child, Hisaya Wakabayashi.
Gō Wakabayashi is best known for his work in the film and television industry in Japan. He started his acting career in the early 1960s and went on to appear in several popular films and TV dramas. Some of his notable works include "The Warped Ones" (1960), "The Human Vapor" (1960), "Red Peony Gambler" (1968), "Key Hunter" (1968–1973), and "Abarenbō Shōgun" (1978–2004).
Apart from acting, Gō Wakabayashi has also worked as a voice actor and has lent his voice to several anime series and films such as "Mazinger Z" (1972–1974) and "Galaxy Express 999" (1978). In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, he has also served as a judge on the cooking competition show "Iron Chef Japan".
Gō Wakabayashi's contributions to the entertainment industry in Japan have earned him several awards and honors, including the Best Supporting Actor award at the 13th Japan Academy Prize ceremony in 1990. In 2012, he was decorated with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, for his contribution to promoting Japanese culture.
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Taichirō Hirokawa
Taichirō Hirokawa (February 15, 1939 Tokyo Prefecture-March 3, 2008 Shibuya) otherwise known as Shinjirou Hirokawa was a Japanese voice actor, actor, presenter, disc jockey and narrator.
He started his career as a voice actor in the early 1970s and became well-known for his roles in popular anime series such as "Saint Seiya," "Dragon Ball," and "Mobile Suit Gundam." In addition to his voice acting work, Hirokawa was also a popular disc jockey for a Japanese radio show called "All Night Nippon" and served as a presenter for various television programs. He was also known for his work as a narrator, providing voiceovers for documentaries and commercials. Despite his successful career, Hirokawa was known for being very humble and down-to-earth. He remained active in the entertainment industry until his sudden passing in 2008 at the age of 69. Hirokawa is remembered as a talented performer and an important figure in the world of Japanese entertainment.
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Atsushi Ii
Atsushi Ii (January 1, 1939 Tokyo-) is a Japanese voice actor and actor.
He began his career in the entertainment industry as a stage actor before transitioning to voice acting in the 1970s. Throughout his career, he has voiced a wide range of characters in anime, video games, and other media.
Some of his most notable roles include Kaname Ohgi in Code Geass, Saint Shun in Saint Seiya, and Doctor Iwamoto in Detective Conan. He has also provided voice work for popular video games such as Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Yakuza 0, and Street Fighter V.
In addition to his voice acting work, Atsushi Ii has also appeared in various live-action films and TV dramas. He has demonstrated versatility in his acting abilities by playing both comedic and dramatic roles.
Despite being in his eighties, Atsushi Ii continues to work in the entertainment industry and is highly respected by his peers and fans alike.
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Hidy Ochiai
Hidy Ochiai (September 27, 1939 Japan-) otherwise known as Hidehiko Ochiai is a Japanese actor and martial artist.
He is best known for introducing the martial art of tae kwon do to the United States in the 1960s. Ochiai began his martial arts training at the age of 11 in Japan and later moved to Korea to study under the founder of modern tae kwon do, General Choi Hong Hi. He went on to become a master instructor and opened his own tae kwon do schools in the United States. In addition to his martial arts career, Ochiai has also appeared in several films and television shows, showcasing his skills as an actor and stunt performer. He continues to teach tae kwon do and promote the martial arts as a way to promote physical fitness, mental discipline, and personal growth.
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