Here are 8 famous actors from Japan died at 70:
Shun Yashiro (February 19, 1933 Tsuyama-June 25, 2003 Sumida, Tokyo) a.k.a. Motohiro Suzuki was a Japanese actor and voice actor.
He died as a result of stroke.
Shun Yashiro started his career as an actor in the 1950s, working in various stage productions and television dramas. He is best known for his work as a voice actor, lending his voice to many popular anime series and films. Some of his notable roles include Kanehira Takeshi in "Cyborg 009," Dr. Finklestein in the Japanese dub of "The Nightmare Before Christmas," and Captain Hook in the Japanese dub of Disney's "Peter Pan." Yashiro was also a talented singer, releasing numerous albums throughout his career. In addition to his work in entertainment, Yashiro was an avid golfer and served as the chairman of a golf club. He is remembered as a beloved and influential figure in the Japanese entertainment industry.
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Sōjin Kamiyama (January 30, 1884 Sendai-July 28, 1954 Tokyo) also known as Sōjin, Kamiyama Sôjin, K. Sôjin, Sôjin Kamiyama, Mitsugu Mita, Kamiyama Sojin or K. Sojin was a Japanese actor. He had one child, Edward Kamiyama.
Sōjin Kamiyama began his acting career in Japan's burgeoning film industry during the silent era, appearing in numerous productions as both an actor and director. In the 1920s, he became interested in working in Hollywood and moved to the United States, where he quickly became a sought-after character actor in the American film industry.
Over the course of his long career, Sōjin Kamiyama appeared in over 150 films, including notable roles in films such as "The General" (1926), "The Bitter Tea of General Yen" (1933), "Mr. Moto Takes a Chance" (1938), and "Tokyo Joe" (1949). He was often cast in roles as wise sages, villains, or as a depiction of old Japan in films set during the time of samurai.
Despite facing rampant discrimination and racism as a Japanese immigrant in Hollywood, Sōjin Kamiyama was praised for his acting abilities and was well-liked by his fellow actors and crew members. He continued to act in films until his death in 1954.
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Hiroshi Arikawa (November 2, 1940 Kagoshima Prefecture-October 16, 2011 Komae) was a Japanese actor and voice actor.
He died in respiratory failure.
Arikawa began his acting career in the 1960s, featuring in several Japanese TV dramas before his voice acting breakthrough in the 1970s, voicing iconic characters such as Captain Hook in "Peter Pan" and Scrooge McDuck in "DuckTales" in the Japanese adaptation. He also voiced many characters in popular anime series, including Master Roshi in "Dragon Ball" and Daisuke Jigen in "Lupin III". Arikawa had a long and illustrious career in the Japanese entertainment industry, winning several awards for his performances. He will be remembered as one of the greats in his field.
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Shingo Yamashiro (November 10, 1938 Kyoto Prefecture-August 12, 2009 Machida) also known as Yasuji Watanabe or Watanabe Yasuji was a Japanese actor.
He started his acting career when he joined the Bungakuza theater group in 1960. He later became a reputed actor, appearing in various television dramas, stage productions, and films. His notable appearances in Japanese television dramas include "Taiyō ni Hoero!" and "Shiroi Kyotō".
In 1991, he won the Best Supporting Actor award at the Japan Academy Prize ceremony for his role in the film "Freeze Me". He also received recognition for his excellent acting skills in the theater productions of "Caligula" and "The Threepenny Opera".
Aside from his acting career, Yamashiro was also a skilled singer and musician. In 1983, he formed the band "Yamashiro Shingo no Tamashii no Uta" and released several singles and albums.
He passed away in 2009 at the age of 70 due to respiratory failure brought about by heart failure. His contributions to the Japanese entertainment industry have left a significant mark and his legacy continues to inspire aspiring actors and musicians in Japan.
Read more about Shingo Yamashiro on Wikipedia »
Toshiyuki Hosokawa (December 15, 1940 Kokura-January 14, 2011 Tokyo) also known as 細川 俊之 or Hosokawa Toshiyuki was a Japanese actor. His child is called .
He died caused by subdural hematoma.
Toshiyuki Hosokawa appeared in various Japanese television dramas, films and stage productions throughout his career. He was known for his versatile acting skills and often portrayed both comedic and dramatic roles. Some of his notable works include the Japanese drama series "Chojin Utada" and the film "The Yellow Handkerchief". Hosokawa was also a voice actor and lent his voice to several anime series, including "Mobile Suit Gundam" and "Fist of the North Star". His death in 2011 was a shock to the Japanese entertainment industry and he continues to be remembered as a talented and beloved actor.
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Koichi Chiba (August 13, 1931 Iwate Prefecture-November 9, 2001) also known as Kôichi Chiba was a Japanese actor and voice actor.
He began his acting career in the 1950s and appeared in over 100 films and television dramas throughout his career. He was known for his work in action films, often playing tough or villainous characters. Chiba also lent his voice to numerous anime series and films, including Mobile Suit Gundam and Dragon Ball Z. In addition to acting, Chiba was a skilled martial artist and held a fifth-degree black belt in karate. He passed away at the age of 70 due to kidney failure.
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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 died in heart failure.
Chii Takeo began his career as an actor in 1964, appearing in the film "The Warped Ones." He went on to star in numerous stage productions, television dramas, and films, becoming a prominent figure in the Japanese entertainment industry. Chii was also a talented voice actor, lending his voice to various anime characters, including Shunsui Kyoraku from "Bleach" and Dr. Charles Grey from "Black Butler". He was admired for his warm personality and unique sense of humor, and was a beloved figure in Japanese entertainment until his death in 2012.
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Shōji Nakayama (February 26, 1928 Hongō-December 1, 1998) a.k.a. 中山 昭二, Nakayama Shōji, なかやま しょうじ, 中山 昭治 or Nakayama was a Japanese actor.
He died caused by pneumonia.
Nakayama Shōji was one of the most renowned actors of his time in Japan. He began his acting career in the late 1940s, and his impressive body of work spanned several decades. Nakayama was known for his versatility in acting, and he starred in a wide range of roles, from dramatic to comedic. He won several awards and accolades for his work, including the prestigious Japan Academy Prize for Best Supporting Actor in 1978. Nakayama was also a talented writer and director, and acted in several of his own productions. Despite battling with cancer in his later years, Nakayama continued working until shortly before his death at the age of 70.
Read more about Shōji Nakayama on Wikipedia »