Japanese movie stars died at 74
Here are 8 famous actors from Japan died at 74:
Kōji Nanbara
Kōji Nanbara (June 7, 1927 Yokohama-December 20, 2001 Chofu) a.k.a. Uwaji Itsui, 則竹 卯和二, Nanbara Koji, Shinji Nanbara, Itsui Uwaji, 伍井 卯和二, Nanbara Shinji, 船上 爽, なんばら こうじ, 南原 宏治, 南原 伸二, なんばら しんじ, いつい うわじ, Kôji Nambara, Nambara Kôji, Nambara Shinji or Shinji Nambara was a Japanese actor. He had three children, Eri Koike, Kenro Nanbara and Seiro Yamaguchi.
He died caused by myocardial infarction.
Koji Nanbara was a prominent actor in the Japanese film and television industry. He started his acting career in the 1950s and appeared in many movies, including "I Want to Be a Shellfish," "The Human Condition," and "Tokyo Twilight." He also appeared in various television dramas, such as "Daichan, the Samurai Without a Sword," "Mito Komon," and "Abarenbo Shogun."
Aside from his acting career, Nanbara was also known for his prowess in Kyudo, a Japanese martial art of archery. He was an accomplished Kyudo master and served as the chairman of the All Nippon Kyudo Federation.
Nanbara was married twice and had three children. His daughter, Eri Koike, followed in his footsteps and became an actress. He passed away in 2001 due to a myocardial infarction. Despite his passing, his legacy in the Japanese entertainment industry and Kyudo community still remains.
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Shinji Ogawa
Shinji Ogawa (February 19, 1941 Den-en-chōfu-March 7, 2015) also known as Haruhiko Ogawa, Ogawa Haruhiko or Ogawa Shinji was a Japanese actor and voice actor.
He died caused by pneumonia.
Shinji Ogawa began his acting career in the 1960s, appearing in various stage productions, movies, and television dramas. He gained popularity in the 1980s as a voice actor, lending his voice to many famous anime characters such as Dr. Eggman from the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series and Captain Hook from the Peter Pan anime series. Ogawa was also a prolific narrator, providing the voice for numerous documentaries and educational programs. Throughout his career, he won several awards for his outstanding performances, including the Best Supporting Actor award at the 13th Japan Academy Prize ceremony for his role in the film "Yajû no seishun" (Wild Youth). In addition to his acting career, he was also a talented musician and released several albums throughout the 1970s.
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Hiroshi Inagaki
Hiroshi Inagaki (December 30, 1905 Bunkyō-May 21, 1980 Tokyo) also known as Kinpachi Kajiwara or Inagaki Hiroshi was a Japanese film director, actor, film producer and screenwriter.
He died in complications of alcoholism or drug dependence..
Inagaki is best known for his acclaimed Samurai Trilogy, a series of films which chronicle the life of legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi. The trilogy, which was released in the 1950s, won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1955. Inagaki also directed other notable films such as Rickshaw Man (1958) and Chushingura (1962). In addition to his work in film, Inagaki was also a prolific television director, and his contributions to Japanese cinema and television have earned him a place in the pantheon of great Japanese filmmakers. Throughout his career, Inagaki grappled with personal demons and struggled with addiction, which ultimately led to his untimely death at the age of 74. Nonetheless, his films continue to be celebrated as enduring classics of Japanese cinema.
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Masato Yamanouchi
Masato Yamanouchi (April 3, 1929 Tokyo-April 7, 2003) a.k.a. Masato Yamanôchi, Mikio Yamauchi, Yamanouchi Masato or 山内 雅人 was a Japanese voice actor and actor.
He died as a result of lung cancer.
Masato Yamanouchi was known for his voice acting in various anime series and films. He was the voice actor of Dracula in the Japanese adaptation of "The Monster Squad" and also provided the voice of the narrator in "Doraemon." Aside from his voice acting work, Yamanouchi had a successful career as an actor, appearing in over 20 films including "Kwaidan," "The Human Vapor," and "Jigoku." He received the Best Supporting Actor award at the Mainichi Film Awards in 1968 for his role in the film "Goyokin." In addition to his work in film and animation, Yamanouchi also lent his voice to various video games including "Final Fantasy VII" and "Resident Evil 2."
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Kō Nishimura
Kō Nishimura (January 25, 1923 Sapporo-April 15, 1997 Tokyo) a.k.a. Ko Nishimura, Akira Nishimura, Nishimura Kō or 西村 晃 was a Japanese actor.
He died caused by heart failure.
Kō Nishimura was known for his work in the Japanese film industry, appearing in over 160 films throughout his career. He worked with many of Japan's most prominent directors including Akira Kurosawa, Yasujirō Ozu, and Kenji Mizoguchi. He was also a talented voice actor and provided the Japanese dubs for many foreign films, including the role of Captain Hook in Disney's "Peter Pan". In addition to his acting work, Nishimura was also a prominent figure in Japanese theatre, both as an actor and director. Despite his success, he remained humble and was widely respected for his professionalism and dedication to his craft.
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Yu Fujiki
Yu Fujiki (March 2, 1931 Tokyo Prefecture-December 19, 2005 Chūō) a.k.a. Yuuzou Suzuki or Yû Fujiki was a Japanese actor.
He died caused by pulmonary embolism.
Yu Fujiki was known for his versatility as an actor, appearing in a wide range of roles in movies and TV dramas throughout his career. He began his acting career in the early 1950s, and was a popular actor during the 1960s and 1970s. He was often cast in comedic roles, but also played serious and dramatic roles as well. In addition to his acting career, Yu Fujiki was also a singer, and he released several albums of popular songs during the 1960s. Despite his success as an actor and singer, he remained humble and down-to-earth, and was well-liked by his colleagues and fans alike.
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Fumio Watanabe
Fumio Watanabe (October 31, 1929 Tokyo-August 4, 2004 Japan) a.k.a. 渡辺文雄 or Watanabe Fumio was a Japanese actor.
He died caused by respiratory failure.
Throughout his career, Fumio Watanabe starred in over 100 films and television shows. He began acting in the 1950s and quickly became a well-known figure in the Japanese film industry, known for his versatility and ability to play a wide range of roles.
Some of Watanabe's most notable film roles include appearances in Akira Kurosawa's "Throne of Blood" (1957) and "The Hidden Fortress" (1958), as well as the crime drama "Pale Flower" (1964). He also acted in several television dramas, including the popular series "Zenigata Heiji" and "Abarenbo Shogun."
In addition to his acting career, Watanabe was also a stage director and playwright. He founded the theater company "Gekidan Tenjō Sajiki" in 1967, which quickly gained a reputation for its innovative productions and controversial subject matter.
Despite his success in the entertainment industry, Watanabe was known for his humility and commitment to his craft. He was a beloved figure both on and off-screen, and his passing was mourned by fans and colleagues alike.
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Takeshi Watabe
Takeshi Watabe (March 21, 1936 Kōchi Prefecture-December 13, 2010 Japan) otherwise known as Watabe Takeshi, Masato Maeno or Takeshi Watade was a Japanese voice actor and actor.
He died caused by pneumonia.
Takeshi Watabe began his career in the entertainment industry as an actor in the 1960s. He appeared in several films and television dramas throughout his career, but it was his work as a voice actor that made him a household name in Japan. Watabe lent his voice to a wide variety of characters in anime and video games, including Jūzō Okita in "Space Battleship Yamato," Dr. Gori in "Kamen Rider V3," and Doctor Robotnik in the Japanese version of "Sonic the Hedgehog."
Watabe's distinctive voice and talent for bringing characters to life made him a beloved figure among anime fans in Japan and around the world. He received several awards for his voice acting work throughout his career, including the Best Supporting Actor award at the 18th Anime Grand Prix for his role as Jūzō Okita.
Outside of his acting work, Watabe was also an accomplished singer and musician. He released several albums and singles throughout his career, showcasing his talent as a vocalist and guitarist.
Overall, Takeshi Watabe left an indelible mark on the world of Japanese entertainment through his memorable performances and contributions to anime and video games.
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