Here are 6 famous actors from Japan died at 57:
Isao Kimura (July 22, 1923 Hiroshima-July 4, 1981 Tokyo) also known as Ko Kimura, Kimura Isao? or Kō Kimura was a Japanese actor.
He died as a result of esophageal cancer.
Isao Kimura was a prolific actor who appeared in over 150 films and television dramas in his career. He was born in Hiroshima in 1923 and began his acting career in 1948. He quickly gained recognition for his talent and became one of the most beloved actors of his time. He worked with some of the biggest names in Japanese cinema such as Akira Kurosawa and Yasujirō Ozu.
Kimura's career spanned several decades and he appeared in a variety of genres, including samurai films, comedies, and dramas. He was particularly known for his roles in yakuza films, where he often played tough gangsters with a heart of gold. His performance in the classic crime film "Tokyo Drifter" is still regarded as one of his best.
Kimura was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in the late 1970s and died in Tokyo in 1981 at the age of 57. Despite his relatively short life, his legacy in Japanese cinema lives on and he is remembered as one of the most talented actors of his generation.
Read more about Isao Kimura on Wikipedia »
Nakamura Kanzaburō XVIII (May 30, 1955 Tokyo-December 5, 2012 Bunkyō) a.k.a. Noriaki Namino, Namino Noriaki, Nakamura Kanzaburo XVIII, Nakamura Kanzaburo, Jūhachidaime Nakamura Kanzaburō or Nakamura Kankurō V was a Japanese actor. He had two children, Nakamura Shichinosuke II and Kankuro Nakamura VI.
Nakamura Kanzaburō XVIII was one of Japan's most celebrated Kabuki actors, who became the 18th person in his family line to take on the stage name of Nakamura Kanzaburō. He made his debut on stage when he was only five years old and started performing professionally when he was 18. Throughout his career, he received numerous accolades and awards for his outstanding performances, including the Order of Culture, the highest honor for an artist in Japan.
Apart from his achievements in Kabuki, Nakamura Kanzaburō XVIII also appeared in several films and television dramas over the years, showcasing his versatility as an actor. He was known for his charismatic stage presence, flamboyant costumes, and dynamic performances that captivated audiences around the world.
Sadly, Nakamura Kanzaburō XVIII passed away in 2012 at the age of 57 due to acute respiratory failure. His death was a great loss to the world of Kabuki and the entertainment industry as a whole, but his legacy lives on through his children, who have continued to carry on the Nakamura family tradition of Kabuki acting.
Read more about Nakamura Kanzaburō XVIII on Wikipedia »
Daisuke Gōri (February 8, 1952 Koto, Tokyo-January 17, 2010 Nakano, Tokyo) also known as Daisuke Gori, Yoshio Nagahori, Daisuke Gôsato, Daisuke Gouri, Daisuke Gohri, Daisuke Kyôri, Daisuke Gore, Gōri Daisuke, Nagahori Yoshio, Gōri or Daisuke Gôri was a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator.
He died in suicide.
Gōri began his career in the entertainment industry as a professional wrestler before transitioning into voice acting. He lent his voice to many popular characters in anime, including Mr. Satan in Dragon Ball Z, Heihachi Mishima in Tekken, and Umibozu in City Hunter. Gōri was known for his deep, booming voice and often played tough or villainous characters. Apart from his voice acting work, he also appeared in several live-action TV dramas and films. Gōri's death was a shock to the Japanese entertainment industry and his fans, and he is sorely missed.
Read more about Daisuke Gōri on Wikipedia »
Kōji Totani (July 12, 1948 Nagoya-February 6, 2006 Japan) also known as Koji Totani, Totani-chan or Kouji Totani was a Japanese actor and voice actor.
He died in heart failure.
Koji Totani was a versatile actor and voice actor who appeared in numerous anime, video games, and live-action dramas throughout his long career. He began his acting career in the 1970s and quickly made a name for himself in the world of anime, lending his distinctive voice to many iconic characters such as Emperor Pilaf in "Dragon Ball," Zangief in "Street Fighter II V," and Captain Hook in "Peter Pan and the Pirates." In addition to his voice work, Totani was also a skilled actor who appeared in several live-action dramas, including the popular series "Ultraman 80." Despite his success, Totani remained humble and dedicated to his craft, and he was respected by his peers for his talent and professionalism. His sudden death in 2006 was a great loss to the anime and acting communities, and he is still remembered fondly by fans around the world.
Read more about Kōji Totani on Wikipedia »
Tatsumi Hijikata (March 9, 1928 Akita-January 21, 1986) also known as Hijikata Tatsumi, 土方 巽 or Hijikata was a Japanese actor.
Sorry for the earlier mistake, Tatsumi Hijikata was not an actor but a prominent Japanese dance choreographer and founder of the dance form known as butoh.
Tatsumi Hijikata (March 9, 1928 Akita-January 21, 1986) also known as Hijikata Tatsumi, 土方 巽 was a celebrated Japanese dancer and choreographer. He is widely regarded as the founder of the experimental dance form known as butoh, which is characterized by its dark, surreal, and often grotesque style. Born in Akita, Japan, Hijikata moved to Tokyo in the 1950s, where he became involved in the city's avant-garde art scene. In the late 1950s, he began to develop his unique style of dance, which combined elements of traditional Japanese dance, modern dance, and improvisational techniques. In 1959, he founded the first butoh company, known as the "Ankoku Butoh-ha" (the "Dance of Utter Darkness" school), which went on to inspire many other artists around the world. Despite being diagnosed with cancer in the early 1980s, Hijikata continued to choreograph and perform until his death in 1986. His legacy as a pioneering dance artist continues to be celebrated today.
Read more about Tatsumi Hijikata on Wikipedia »
Roppa Furukawa (August 13, 1903 Tokyo City-January 16, 1961 Hongō) also known as Ikuo Furukawa, Furukawa Roppa, Robba Furukawa, Roppa or Ikurō Furukawa was a Japanese actor, comedian, film critic and writer.
He was known for his unique style of acting and his versatility on stage and screen. Furukawa started his career in the entertainment industry as a stage actor in the 1920s, and later transitioned to film in the 1930s. He appeared in over 500 films throughout his career and became one of Japan's most beloved actors. His notable works include roles in films like "Bakumatsu Taiyoden" (1957), "The Human Condition" (1959), and "Yojimbo" (1961). Furukawa was also a prominent film critic, and he wrote several books and articles on film theory and history. He received numerous awards in his lifetime, including the Mainichi Film Award for Best Actor in 1957.
Read more about Roppa Furukawa on Wikipedia »