Japanese movie stars born in 1942
Here are 9 famous actors from Japan were born in 1942:
Matsumoto Kōshirō IX
Matsumoto Kōshirō IX (August 19, 1942 Tokyo-) otherwise known as Teruaki Fujima, Ichikawa Somegorō VI, Matsumoto Kintarō II, Kôshirô Matsumoto, Kinsho, Fujima Teruaki, Kintarô Matsumoto II, Kōraiya, Somegorô Ichikawa or Somegoro Ichikawa is a Japanese actor. He has three children, Takako Matsu, Somegorô Ichikawa and Kio Matsumoto.
Matsumoto Kōshirō IX is a ninth-generation Kabuki star actor who follows in the footsteps of his famous Kabuki actor ancestors. Kabuki is a classical Japanese dance-drama with roots in the Edo period. Kōshirō IX is known for his incredible versatility, portraying a wide range of roles from noble samurai warriors to crafty and cunning villains. In addition to Kabuki, he has also acted in television dramas, movies, and voice acted in animated films. Kōshirō IX is highly respected for his contributions to preserving and promoting Kabuki, having been awarded numerous honors including the Order of Culture, the highest award bestowed on cultural figures in Japan. He has also served as a judge for the prestigious Japan Academy Prize for several years.
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Hiroki Matsukata
Hiroki Matsukata (July 23, 1942 Tokyo City-) also known as Meguro Kōju, Kōju Meguro, Matsukata Hiroki or Hiroki Meguro is a Japanese actor. He has four children, Masaki Nishina, Hitomi Nishina, Daiju Meguro and Masashi Toeda.
Hiroki Matsukata started his acting career in the 1960s and gained popularity for his roles in various samurai films and TV dramas. He was affiliated with the Toei Company for most of his career and appeared in around 120 films and nearly 200 TV dramas. Some of his notable works include "Sleepy Eyes of Death" film series, "Abashiri Prison" film series, and "Zatoichi" film series.
Aside from acting, Matsukata is also a skilled martial artist and earned a black belt in judo. He has participated in various martial arts competitions and also served as a commentator for martial arts competitions on television.
Matsukata has also worked as a producer and director. He has produced several films and TV dramas, and directed a few films as well. In 1984, he won the Japan Academy Prize for Best Director for his film "Bakayaro! Watashi Okkote Masu".
In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Matsukata is also involved in various social causes. He is a board member of the Japan Anti-tuberculosis Association and the Japan Organ Transplant Network, and has also been appointed as an ambassador for the Japan Red Cross Society.
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Akira Nakao
Akira Nakao (August 11, 1942 Kisarazu-) also known as Nakao Akira is a Japanese actor, artist, tarento and visual artist. He has one child, Manabu Nakao.
Nakao Akira began his acting career in 1964, performing in the film "Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster". He went on to appear in numerous films and television dramas throughout his career, including the popular TV series "Time Bokan" and "Ultraman Taro". He is also known for his voice acting work in anime, including the role of Dr. Nambu in the series "Gatchaman". In addition to his acting work, Nakao is also an accomplished artist and has held exhibitions of his paintings and sculptures. He has been recognized for his contributions to the arts with awards such as the Medal with Purple Ribbon from the Japanese government.
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Isao Sasaki
Isao Sasaki (May 16, 1942 Tokyo-) also known as Sasaki Isao or ささき いさお is a Japanese singer, actor, voice actor and film score composer.
He began his career as a rock and roll singer in the early 1960s and later transitioned to being a pop singer in the 1970s. Sasaki is best known for his theme songs for anime series such as "Getter Robo" and "Space Battleship Yamato". He has also done voice acting for anime shows such as "Kiteretsu Encyclopedia" and "Hokuto no Ken". In addition to his singing and voice acting, Sasaki has also composed scores for films such as "Cowboy Bebop: The Movie" and "Detective Conan". He has won numerous awards throughout his career, including the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 53rd Japan Record Awards in 2011.
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Masaru Ikeda
Masaru Ikeda (September 27, 1942 Tokyo-) also known as Ikeda Masaru is a Japanese actor and voice actor.
He began his career in 1972 as a voice actor, providing voices for various anime series, including "Captain Harlock" and "Space Battleship Yamato". Ikeda's popularity grew as he continued to voice iconic characters such as Dracula in "Castlevania", Char Aznable in "Mobile Suit Gundam", and Shanks in "One Piece". He has also lent his voice to various animated films and video games.
In addition to voice acting, Ikeda has also appeared in live-action films and television dramas, such as "Graveyard of Honor" and "Kamen Rider". He is known for his captivating performances and has received numerous awards for his work in the entertainment industry.
Throughout his illustrious career, Ikeda has cemented his status as a legendary figure in the world of Japanese entertainment. His contributions to anime and the voice acting industry have made him a beloved figure both in Japan and around the world.
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Haruki Kadokawa
Haruki Kadokawa (January 8, 1942 Nakaniikawa District, Toyama-) also known as Kadokawa Haruki is a Japanese film director, film producer, screenwriter, publisher and actor. He has two children, Taro Kadokawa and Keiko Kadokawa.
Kadokawa Haruki began his career in the film industry as a producer and has produced over 150 films in his career. Some of his most popular productions include the films Ao no Honō, Sailor Suit and Machine Gun, and The Sea and Poison.
In addition to his work in film, Kadokawa is also a successful publisher and has founded multiple publishing companies including Kadokawa Shoten, which has become one of the largest publishers in Japan. Through his publishing companies, Kadokawa has been instrumental in promoting Japanese pop culture, including anime, manga, and light novels.
Kadokawa is also a well-known figure in Japanese politics and has served as a member of the House of Councilors in the Japanese parliament.
Throughout his career, Kadokawa has received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to the film and publishing industries, including the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, and the Order of Cultural Merit.
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Kenichi Ogata
Kenichi Ogata (March 29, 1942 Tagawa District, Fukuoka-) also known as Ogata Kenichi, Ogata Ken'ichi, Ken'ichi Ogata or Kennichi Ogata is a Japanese voice actor and actor.
He started his career as a voice actor in the 1970s and has since lent his voice to numerous well-known anime characters such as Genzo Wakabayashi in "Captain Tsubasa," Azaka Kokutou in "Kara no Kyoukai," and Gold Roger in the Japanese dub of "One Piece." Ogata has also appeared in live-action films and TV dramas, including "Twilight Samurai" and "Kita no Kuni Kara." In addition to his voice acting work, he has also worked as a narration and dubbing actor, and has won several awards for his contributions to the industry.
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Takeo Chii
Takeo Chii (May 5, 1942 Yōkaichiba, Chiba-June 29, 2012 Minato) otherwise known as Chii Takeo was a Japanese actor, tarento and voice actor.
He began his career in the entertainment industry as a stage actor and later transitioned into television dramas, films, and variety shows. Chii gained popularity for his unique voice and versatility in portraying various characters in anime and video games. Some of his most notable voice acting roles include Captain Hook in the Japanese dub of Disney's Peter Pan, Doctor Eggman in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, and Gold Roger in One Piece. In addition to his acting career, Chii was also known for his work as a tarento, making numerous appearances on talk shows and variety programs. He received several accolades throughout his career, including the Best Actor Award at the 10th Yokohama Film Festival for his role in the film "Tosa no Ipponzuki."
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Eiichi Kikuchi
Eiichi Kikuchi (August 21, 1942 Tokyo-) is a Japanese actor.
He began his acting career in the 1960s and quickly gained recognition for his talent on screen. Kikuchi has appeared in numerous films and television dramas, including popular shows such as "Oshin" and "Mito Koumon". He also has experience in theater, having performed in various productions throughout his career. In addition to his work as an actor, Kikuchi is also known for his voice acting, having lent his voice to several anime series and films. He has received several awards for his contributions to the entertainment industry, and continues to be active in his profession today.
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