Here are 9 famous actors from Japan died at 65:
Akiji Kobayashi (September 26, 1930 Yodobashi, Tokyo-August 27, 1996 Aoba-ku, Yokohama) otherwise known as Shôji Kobayashi, Kobayashi Akiji, Shoji Kobayashi or Issei Mori was a Japanese actor and voice actor.
He died as a result of lung cancer.
Kobayashi began his career in entertainment as a member of the Bungakuza theater troupe in the 1950s. He gained recognition for his roles in films such as "I Am Waiting" (1957) and "Tokyo Twilight" (1957). He later transitioned to television and became a prolific voice actor, lending his talents to famous anime characters such as Daisuke Jigen in "Lupin III" and Captain Hook in the Japanese dub of Disney's "Peter Pan." He also played notable roles in live-action dramas such as "Oshin" and "Kita no Kuni Kara." Kobayashi was considered a versatile actor and voice actor, and his performances were highly praised by audiences and critics alike. Despite his success, he kept his personal life private and was known for his humble demeanor.
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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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Shintaro Katsu (November 29, 1931 Chiba Prefecture-June 21, 1997 Kashiwa) also known as Katsu, Shintarou, Katsu-shin, Toshio Okumura, Katsu Shintarō, Katsutoshi Gatsu, Okumura Toshio, Shintarô Katsu or Katsumaru Kineya was a Japanese film producer, actor, singer, television director, screenwriter, film director and musician. His children are Ryu Gan and Masami Okumura.
He died as a result of laryngeal cancer.
Katsu is best known for his role as Zatoichi, a blind swordsman, in a series of films spanning over two decades. He also starred in other samurai films such as Hanzo the Razor and Akumyo. Despite being a popular actor, Katsu faced controversy in his personal life, including several arrests for drug use and indecent behavior. He later turned his focus to producing and directing, and his last film as director, Zatoichi the Last, was released in 1989. In addition to his work in film, Katsu was also a talented musician, releasing several albums throughout his career. He remains a beloved and influential figure in Japanese cinema.
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Tôru Minegishi (July 17, 1943 Tokyo City-October 11, 2008 Tokyo) otherwise known as Tomoo Minegishi, Minegishi Tomo, Tomo Minegishi, Minegishi Toru or Ryunosuke Minegishi was a Japanese actor.
He began his career in the 1960s and appeared in numerous films, television dramas, and stage productions throughout his life. Minegishi also worked as a voice actor, lending his voice to various anime and video game characters, including the character of Nishikiyama in the popular game "Yakuza". His most renowned role was in the film "The Man Who Stole the Sun" which gained critical acclaim and won many awards. Along with his acting career, Minegishi was also a noted supporter of human rights, and he served as a member of the Japan Actors' Union. Minegishi passed away in 2008 at the age of 65 due to heart failure.
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Toshiya Fujita (January 16, 1932 Pyongyang-August 29, 1997 Shinjuku) also known as Fujita Toshiya, Shigeya Fujita, Shigaya Fujita or Shigeo Fujita was a Japanese screenwriter, film director, actor and pornographic film actor.
He died caused by liver failure.
Toshiya Fujita was born in Pyongyang, which is now the capital of North Korea, but later moved to Japan, where he became a prominent figure in Japanese cinema. He started his career in the film industry as an actor but eventually made a name for himself as a director and screenwriter. He is best known for his contributions to the Japanese "pink film" genre, which is characterized by its low-budget, softcore pornographic content.
Despite being associated with adult film work, Fujita also directed mainstream films, including the critically acclaimed samurai films "Lady Snowblood" and its sequel, "Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance", both of which starred the iconic Japanese actress Meiko Kaji.
Fujita was known for his unique visual style, which blended elements of traditional Japanese cinema with modern techniques. He was also admired for his ability to create complex, well-developed characters, even in films that were primarily known for their erotic content.
In addition to his work in film, Fujita was also a noted writer and poet. He often incorporated his literary interests into his films, and his scripts were known for their poetic dialogue and surreal imagery.
Fujita remained active in the film industry until his death in 1997 at the age of 65. He left behind a legacy that continues to influence Japanese cinema to this day.
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Takashi Taniguchi (July 5, 1947 Hokkaido-December 27, 2012 Japan) also known as 谷口節 or Taniguchi Takashi was a Japanese voice actor and actor.
He died as a result of disease.
Taniguchi began his career as a voice actor in the 1970s, lending his voice to various anime series and video games. He was best known for his roles in popular anime such as Naruto, One Piece, and Dragon Ball Z. In addition to voice acting, Taniguchi also worked as an actor, appearing in several films and TV dramas.
Throughout his career, Taniguchi received numerous awards for his work in voice acting, including the Best Supporting Actor award at the 6th Seiyu Awards in 2012. He was known for his distinctive deep voice and his ability to portray a wide range of characters, from kind-hearted fathers to cold-hearted villains.
Despite his success, Taniguchi remained humble and dedicated to his craft, often going above and beyond to ensure that his performances were flawless. He was beloved by his colleagues and fans alike, and his legacy in the world of Japanese entertainment continues to inspire new generations of voice actors and actors alike.
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Ichikawa Danjūrō V (August 1, 1741 Edo-October 29, 1806) also known as Ichikawa Danjuro V, ごだいめ いちかわ だんじゅうろう, 市川 蝦蔵, 市川團十郎 (5代目), 五代目 市川團十郎, 三代目 松本幸四郎, いちかわ だんじゅうろう, 梅丸, 成田屋 七左衛門, 男女川, 三升, 梅童, 市川幸蔵, 白猿, 花道のつらね, 成田屋七左衛門 or 反古庵 was a Japanese actor. He had one child, Ichikawa Danjūrō VI.
Ichikawa Danjūrō V was the fifth in a line of famous kabuki actors. He was renowned for his performances in aragoto, which is a bold and exaggerated style of acting. He also excelled in portraying villains and was noted for his striking and powerful voice. Danjūrō V was known for his commitment to his art form, often performing despite poor health. He was the first kabuki actor to be awarded the title "Living National Treasure" by the Japanese government. In addition to his theatrical career, Danjūrō V was also a skilled calligrapher and painter.
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Kenichi Enomoto (October 11, 1904 Aoyama, Minato, Tokyo-January 7, 1970) also known as Kenichi 'Enoken' Enomoto, Enomoto Ken’ichi, Enoken, The King of Comedy or Eno-Ken was a Japanese comedian and actor.
He died as a result of hepatic cirrhosis.
Enoken was known for his unique brand of physical comedy and acrobatics, which he brought to the stage and screen in over 300 films and television programs. He primarily worked within the Japanese cinema industry during the 1930s through the early 1960s, known for his slapstick and humoristic roles. Enoken was popularly referred to as the "King of Comedy" or "The Chaplin of Japan", and he is remembered today as a pioneering figure in Japanese comedy. In addition to his work in film and television, Enoken was also a popular radio personality and comedian, known for his wit and humor on a variety of programs throughout his career. Despite his success, Enoken experienced a great deal of personal tragedy throughout his life, and his untimely death at the age of 65 was greatly mourned by his fans throughout Japan.
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Kōhei Miyauchi (August 4, 1929 Kagoshima Prefecture-June 2, 1995 Itabashi) also known as Kohei Miyauchi, Takayuki Miyauchi, Miyauchi Takayuki, Miyauchi Kōhei, Miyauchi, Kouhei or Miyauchi, Kouhei (Kame Sennin) was a Japanese voice actor and actor.
He died as a result of gastric varices.
Kōhei Miyauchi was best known for his role as Master Roshi (Kame Sennin in Japanese) in the popular anime series Dragon Ball. He also voiced other notable characters in anime, such as Doctor Eggman in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, the Narrator in Fist of the North Star, and Doctor Kōsaku Tokita in Paprika. Miyauchi began his career as an actor in live-action films and TV dramas before transitioning to voice acting. He was renowned for his distinctive deep voice and ability to play a wide range of roles. In addition to his voice acting work, Miyauchi was also a talented member of the theatrical group Gekidan Subaru.
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