Here are 11 famous actors from Japan died at 64:
Daisuke Katō (February 18, 1911 Asakusa, Tokyo-July 31, 1975) also known as Tokunosuke Katō, Katô Daisuke, Katō Tokunosuke, Ichikawa Enji, Daisake Kato or Gyû-chan was a Japanese actor. He had one child, Haruyuki Katō.
He died in colorectal cancer.
Throughout his career, Daisuke Katō appeared in over 200 films and television shows, making him one of the most prolific actors in Japanese cinema. He was particularly known for his roles in jidaigeki (period dramas) and yakuza films. Some of his most famous works include "Seven Samurai" (1954), "Yojimbo" (1961), "Sanjuro" (1962), and "Hanzo the Razor" (1972).
Aside from his acting career, Katō was also a talented voice actor, lending his voice to several anime productions such as "Astro Boy" and "Gigantor". He was also a singer, recording several albums throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
Despite his success, Katō struggled with alcoholism throughout his life, which eventually led to his untimely death at the age of 64. However, his legacy as an actor and performer continues to inspire and entertain audiences today.
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Juzo Itami (May 15, 1933 Ukyō-ku, Kyoto-December 20, 1997 Azabudai, Minato, Tokyo) a.k.a. Itami Juzo, Ikeuchi Yoshihiro, Ichizô Itami, Itami Ichizô, Yoshihiro Ikeuchi, Jûzô Itami, Ichizo Atami, Ichizo Itami or Itami Jūzō was a Japanese film director, actor, screenwriter and film producer. He had two children, Mansaku Ikeuchi and Ikeuchi Mampei.
He died in suicide.
Juzo Itami was born as Yoshihiro Ikeuchi into a prominent Kyoto family. After graduating from the Hitotsubashi University, he started his career as an actor, mainly appearing in films directed by his father, Mansaku Ikeuchi. He changed his name to Juzo Itami when he started his career as a film director in 1982, with the release of "The Funeral".
Itami's films are known for their satirical and humorous take on Japanese society and culture, and often touch upon taboos and controversial subjects. His most popular film, "Tampopo" (1985), is a quirky comedy about the search for the perfect bowl of ramen, and has since become a cult classic.
In addition to his film work, Itami also wrote several books, including a memoir titled "Osôshiki" (The Funeral), which details his experiences during the making of his debut film.
Tragically, on December 20, 1997, Itami committed suicide by jumping from the roof of his office in Tokyo. Though the exact reason for his suicide remains unknown, some speculate that it was related to the controversy surrounding his last film, "Minbo no Onna" (1992), which exposed the extortion and violence perpetrated by yakuza gangs in business community.
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Yorozuya Kinnosuke (November 20, 1932 Tokyo-March 10, 1997 Kashiwa) also known as Yorozuya Kinnosuke, Kin'nosuke Nakamura, Kinnosuke Yorozuya Nakamura, よろずや きんのすけ, なかむら きんのすけ, 小川 錦一, 萬屋 錦之介, おがわ きんいち, 中村 錦之助, Nakamura Kin'nosuke, Ogawa Kin'ichi, 初代 中村錦之助, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Nakamura Yorozuya, Kinnosuke Nakamura or Kinnosuke Yorozuya was a Japanese actor. He had two children, Kichinosuke Yorozuya and Akihiro Ogawa.
He died caused by pneumonia.
Yorozuya Kinnosuke was born as Kin'ichi Ogawa but later adopted the stage name Kinnosuke Nakamura. He was a popular actor in Japan who appeared in over 160 films during his career, specializing in jidaigeki, or period dramas. He was known for his striking good looks and charismatic on-screen presence, which made him a fan favorite. Kinnosuke was also a trained kabuki actor and occasionally performed in that style as well. Despite his success on screen, Kinnosuke was known for his humility and kindness off-screen, earning the respect and admiration of his colleagues and fans. He was awarded the Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon for his contributions to Japanese film and culture.
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Hideo Murota (October 7, 1937 Otaru-June 15, 2002 Shinjuku) also known as Hideo Shimada, The Piranha Gang, むろた ひでお, Murota Hideo, 室田 日出男 or ピラニア軍団 was a Japanese actor.
He died in lung cancer.
Murota was known for his roles in yakuza films in the 1960s and 1970s, appearing in over 70 films throughout his career. In 1970, he founded the Piranha Theater Group, which performed satirical and comedic theater productions. Murota also wrote and directed several plays for the group. He was a prominent figure in Japan's underground theater scene and was known for his avant-garde approach to theater. In addition to his acting and theater work, Murota was also a singer and released several albums in the 1970s. Despite his success in the entertainment industry, Murota remained a private person and little is known about his personal life.
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David Toguri (October 25, 1933 Vancouver-November 15, 1997 Toronto) was a Japanese actor, theatre director and choreographer.
He died as a result of cancer.
David Toguri was born in Vancouver, Canada to Japanese immigrant parents. He later moved to Toronto, where he became a respected figure in the Canadian theatre scene. Toguri was known for his work as a director and choreographer, and his productions were often praised for their innovative use of movement and dance.
In addition to his work in theatre, Toguri was also a talented actor, and appeared in several films and television shows throughout his career. One of his most notable roles was in the 1980 film "Atlantic City," which starred Burt Lancaster and Susan Sarandon.
Throughout his life, Toguri remained dedicated to promoting diversity and multiculturalism in the arts. He was a founding member of the Toronto Arts Caucus, which worked to increase government support for the arts in Canada.
Despite his numerous accomplishments, Toguri remained humble and committed to his craft until the end of his life. His legacy continues to inspire and influence young artists today.
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Rikiya Yasuoka (July 19, 1947 Minato-April 8, 2012 Tokyo) also known as Rikiya or Yasuoka Rikiya was a Japanese actor and singer.
He was best known for his work in voice acting and was the official Japanese dubbing voice for many famous actors, including Danny DeVito, Joe Pesci, and Harvey Fierstein. Rikiya began his career in entertainment as a singer, releasing several albums throughout the 1970s, before transitioning to acting in the 1980s. He appeared in various TV dramas, films, and anime series, and won several awards for his performances, including the Best Supporting Actor award at the Japan Academy Prize in 1989. Despite being diagnosed with cancer in 2009, Rikiya continued to work in the entertainment industry until his passing in 2012 at the age of 64.
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Joe Yamanaka (September 2, 1946 Yokohama-August 7, 2011 Yokosuka) a.k.a. 城アキラ, Akira Yamanaka, Joe, Yamanaka Akira, 山中明, Akira Joh, Akira Jo or Jô Yamanaka was a Japanese actor, professional boxer, singer and musician.
He died in lung cancer.
Joe Yamanaka was born on September 2, 1946, in Yokohama, Japan. He started his career as a professional boxer and participated in various tournaments during the 1960s. Later, Yamanaka developed a passion for music and began singing in nightclubs. In the 1970s, he became a leading figure in the Japanese rock scene, performing with his band Flower Travellin' Band.
Apart from music, Yamanaka was also involved in acting and appeared in numerous films and television dramas. He was particularly renowned for his role in the 1980 film "Dai Nippon Teikoku." In addition, he did voice work for the Japanese version of various Hollywood films such as "The Matrix" and "The Terminator."
Yamanaka's career spanned several decades, and his contributions to Japanese culture were widely recognized. However, he passed away on August 7, 2011, due to lung cancer, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire many aspiring musicians and actors.
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Denjirô Ôkôchi (February 5, 1898 Buzen-July 18, 1962) a.k.a. Denjiro Okochi, Denjirô Ookôchi, Masuo Oobe, Ōkōchi Denjirō, 大河内 傳次郎, Masuo Ōbe or Denjirō Ōkōchi was a Japanese actor.
He died in stomach cancer.
Denjirô Ôkôchi was born in Buzen, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. He started his acting career in 1925, and after a few years, became one of the leading actors of Japanese cinema, starring in more than 250 films. He was known for his roles in samurai films, such as Miyamoto Musashi (1944-45), a film that he also directed, Sword for Hire (1952), and The Brave Warrior (1957). In addition to acting, Ôkôchi was also a master swordsman, and his skills were often showcased in his films. He co-founded the Ōkōchi Sansō villa and garden in Kyoto, which is now a museum dedicated to his life and career. Ôkôchi was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Third Class, in 1941, and the Order of the Rising Sun, Fourth Class, in 1960.
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Yoshio Kosugi (September 15, 1903 Nikko-March 12, 1968) was a Japanese actor. His child is .
Yoshio Kosugi was born on September 15, 1903, in Nikko, a city in the Tochigi Prefecture of Japan. He began his career as an actor in the Japanese film industry during the 1930s, and went on to appear in nearly 150 films. Kosugi was a versatile actor, known for his range and ability to play a variety of roles.
One of Kosugi's most well-known roles was in the 1949 film "Stray Dog," directed by Akira Kurosawa. He also appeared in several other Kurosawa films, including "The Quiet Duel" and "The Hidden Fortress."
Kosugi married actress Hibari Misora in 1949 and had one child, Teruhiko Yoshida, who is also an actor. Kosugi continued to act until his death on March 12, 1968, at the age of 64.
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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.
He died in cancer.
Peter Miles was born in Tokyo, Japan to a French father and an American mother. He grew up in Hollywood and began his acting career as a child star in the 1940s. Miles appeared in numerous films, including "Jezebel" (1938), "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938), and "Since You Went Away" (1944). He also had a successful career as a writer, publishing several books and articles throughout the 1960s and 1970s. In addition to his work in Hollywood, Miles was an accomplished artist and photographer. Despite his success, Miles remained a private person throughout his life and rarely gave interviews or public appearances. He passed away in 2002 at the age of 64 after battling cancer.
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Ichikawa Danjūrō IX (November 29, 1838 Edo-September 13, 1903 Tokyo) also known as Ichikawa Danjuro IX, ほりこし ひでし, 三升, 河原崎三升, さんしょう, だんしゅう, しせん, 初代 河原崎権十郎, 壽海, 七代目 河原崎権之助, 九代目 市川 團十郞, 夜雨庵, じゅかい, 堀越 秀, いちかわ だんじゅうろう, 團州, 市川 團十郞, くだいめ いちかわ だんじゅうろう, ようあん, 市川團十郎 (9代目), 紫扇, 三代目 河原崎長十郎, くだいめ, 九代目, げきせい or 劇聖 was a Japanese actor. He had four children, Ichikawa Sansho V, Ichikawa Suisen II, Ichikawa Kyokubai II and Ichikawa Shinnosuke V.
Ichikawa Danjūrō IX was a prominent and highly respected Japanese kabuki actor. He came from a long line of actors, and was the ninth generation to bear the name Danjūrō. He was renowned for his powerful performances and his ability to bring complex characters to life on stage. During his career, he played a wide range of roles, including heroes, villains, and even women.
Danjūrō IX was also known for his talent as a playwright, and wrote several kabuki plays that are still performed today. In addition to his work on stage, he was also a noted teacher of kabuki, passing on his skills and knowledge to many students over the years.
Despite facing challenges such as the decline of kabuki's popularity and the devastating effects of the Great Tokyo Fire of 1881, Danjūrō IX remained dedicated to his craft throughout his life. He was widely admired both for his artistic excellence and his personal integrity, and is remembered today as one of the greatest actors in the history of Japanese theater.
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