Here are 13 famous actors from Japan died at 77:
Yoshio Inaba (July 15, 1920 Narita-April 20, 1998 Suginami) also known as Yoshihisa Inaba was a Japanese actor.
He died in myocardial infarction.
Inaba began his acting career in the 1950s and appeared in over 200 films and television dramas throughout his career. He was particularly known for his role in the long-running Japanese television drama series "Mito Kōmon", which aired from 1969 to 2011. Inaba also provided voice acting for various anime films and television series, including the role of Captain Hook in the Japanese dub of Disney's "Peter Pan". Outside of acting, Inaba was also active in promoting the sport of sumo wrestling and served as the chairman of the Japan Sumo Association from 1988 to 1992.
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Bokuzen Hidari (February 20, 1894 Tokorozawa-May 26, 1971 Tokyo) also known as Ichiro Mikasima or Hidari Bokuzen was a Japanese actor.
He started his acting career in 1917 on stage, and later began appearing in films in 1927. He became known for his roles in socially conscious films during the 1950s and 1960s, including collaborations with director Akira Kurosawa in films such as "Seven Samurai" and "The Lower Depths". Throughout his career, Hidari appeared in over 200 films and had a reputation for being a versatile actor who could seamlessly transition between comedic and dramatic roles. In addition to acting, Hidari was also a writer and translator, and was known for his translations of works by Russian playwright Anton Chekhov into Japanese.
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Eitarō Shindō (November 10, 1899 Chūō-ku, Fukuoka-February 18, 1977 Tokyo) also known as Eitarô Shindô, Eitaro Shindo, Tatsugoro Shindo or Shindō Eitarō was a Japanese actor.
He died in heart failure.
Eitarō Shindō was one of the most prolific actors of his time, appearing in over 500 films during his career. He started out as a stage actor in the 1920s, performing in various theater productions before transitioning to film in the 1930s. Shindō worked with some of the greatest directors of Japanese cinema, such as Yasujirō Ozu, Kenji Mizoguchi, and Akira Kurosawa. He was known for his versatility and ability to play a wide range of characters, from samurai warriors to common fishermen. Shindō also had the distinction of appearing in the first Japanese talkie film, "Katai Kôjitsu" (The Stronger Sex, 1931). In addition to his acting work, Shindō also directed a number of films, including "Bakumatsu Taiyoden" (A Sun-Tribe Myth from the Bakumatsu Era, 1957). Despite his enormous contribution to Japanese cinema, Shindō's name is not as well-known as some of his contemporaries, but he remains a beloved figure among film aficionados.
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Toshiro Mifune (April 1, 1920 Qingdao-December 24, 1997 Mitaka) also known as Sanchuan Minlang, The Wolf, Minlang Sanchuan, Toshirô Mifune, Mifune Toshirō or The Shogun was a Japanese actor, film producer, soldier, businessperson and film director. He had three children, Mika Mifune, Shirô Mifune and Takeshi Mifune.
He died as a result of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.
Mifune was best known for his collaborations with director Akira Kurosawa, appearing in films such as Seven Samurai, Rashomon, and Yojimbo. He was known for his intense performances and his ability to convey emotion with his facial expressions. In addition to his work with Kurosawa, Mifune appeared in numerous other Japanese and American films throughout his career. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in the history of Japanese cinema and received numerous awards for his work, including the Order of the Sacred Treasure from the Emperor of Japan. Off screen, Mifune was a skilled equestrian and practiced martial arts, including judo and kendo. He also founded his own production company, which produced several films in the 1960s and 1970s.
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Takahiro Tamura (August 31, 1928 Kyoto-May 16, 2006 Tokyo) a.k.a. Tamura Takahiro was a Japanese actor.
He died as a result of cerebral infarction.
Tamura Takahiro started his career as a stage actor and then moved on to become a prominent film and television actor. He appeared in over 150 films and TV dramas in his career spanning almost five decades. Tamura was best known for his roles in popular Japanese TV dramas such as "Oshin" and "Tokugawa Ieyasu". He was also a well-respected actor in the Japanese film industry, starring in films like "Ballad of Narayama" and "Red Beard". Tamura was a recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Medal with Purple Ribbon, the Order of the Rising Sun, and the Order of the Sacred Treasure. He was also a committed environmentalist and actively participated in promoting conservation efforts in Japan.
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Hiroyuki Nagato (January 10, 1934 Nakagyō-ku, Kyoto-May 21, 2011 Tokyo) a.k.a. Akio Sawamura, Akio Katô, Nagato Hiroyuki, Katô Akio or Sawamura Akio was a Japanese actor.
Nagato began his career in the entertainment industry in the 1950s and quickly gained recognition for his acting skills. He became a prominent figure in the Japanese film industry and was known for his versatile performances in both dramatic and comedic roles. Nagato also worked extensively in television, appearing in numerous dramas and variety shows throughout his career.
In addition to his acting work, Nagato was also involved in the Japanese theater scene and starred in stage productions of classic plays such as "Hamlet" and "Waiting for Godot."
Throughout his career, Nagato received numerous accolades for his contributions to Japanese cinema, including several awards for Best Actor at the Japan Academy Awards. He continued to act until the year of his death in 2011.
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Musei Tokugawa (April 13, 1894 Masuda-August 1, 1971) also known as Toshio Fukuhara, Tokugawa Musei or 徳川 夢声 was a Japanese actor.
Tokugawa Musei was born in Masuda, Shimane Prefecture, Japan on April 13, 1894. He started his career in the entertainment industry as an opera singer and later transitioned into acting. He made his debut in 1913 as a stage actor and started appearing in films in the 1920s.
Tokugawa Musei is best known for his performances in jidaigeki (period dramas) and yokai films, which feature supernatural creatures from Japanese folklore. He played a variety of roles over his career, including samurai warriors, criminals, and ghosts. He was known for his versatility as an actor and for his powerful voice.
Throughout his career, Tokugawa Musei appeared in over 200 films and was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 4th Blue Ribbon Awards for his role in the film "Ugetsu" (1953). He continued to act in films and on stage until his death on August 1, 1971, at the age of 77. Today, he is remembered as one of the great actors of the golden age of Japanese cinema.
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Yoshie Fujiwara (December 5, 1898 Osaka-March 22, 1976) was a Japanese actor and singer.
She began her career as a singer in 1921, and eventually transitioned to acting in the 1930s. Fujiwara became especially well-known for her roles in jidaigeki (samurai dramas) and ninkyo yakuza films (chivalrous yakuza films). She appeared in more than 160 films throughout her career, and was highly respected for her skill as an actress. She also had a successful career as a singer, recording more than 200 songs. In addition to her career in film and music, Fujiwara was also a poet and an author. She published multiple collections of poetry and several essays.
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Hideyo Amamoto (January 2, 1926 Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyūshū-March 23, 2003 Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyūshū) a.k.a. Eisei Amamoto or Amamoto Hideyo was a Japanese actor.
He died in pneumonia.
Hideyo Amamoto began his acting career in 1952, and over the years, he appeared in more than 300 films and television dramas. He was particularly famous for playing villains, and he was regarded as one of the greatest character actors in Japanese cinema. Some of his most notable films include "Kwaidan" (1964), "King Kong Escapes" (1967), and "Godzilla vs. Gigan" (1972). He also appeared in several films by the legendary Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, including "The Bad Sleep Well" (1960) and "Kagemusha" (1980). In addition to his work in film, Amamoto also lent his voice to several anime series, including "Mobile Suit Gundam" and "Evangelion". He was a prolific actor until the end of his life, appearing in his last film, "The Blue Light" in 2003, just weeks before his death.
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Kiyoshi Kodama (January 1, 1934 Kita, Tokyo-May 16, 2011 Chūō) also known as Kiyoshi Kitagawa or Kodama Kiyoshi was a Japanese actor, voice actor, tv personality and author. His child is called Daisuke Kitagawa.
He died caused by stomach cancer.
Kiyoshi Kodama began his career as an actor in the late 1950s and quickly gained popularity for his roles in various television dramas, films, and stage productions. He was known for his versatility, often taking on roles that required him to display his comedic abilities as well as his more serious dramatic talent.
In addition to his successful acting career, Kodama was also a prolific author, having written a number of popular novels and non-fiction works. He was also a regular on several variety shows and talk shows, where he was known for his wit and charm.
Throughout his career, Kiyoshi Kodama was awarded numerous accolades, including the Best Supporting Actor Award at the Japan Academy Awards and the Best Actor Award at the Blue Ribbon Awards. He was widely respected by his peers in the entertainment industry and was beloved by his fans for his warmth, generosity, and talent.
Kodama continued to work in the entertainment industry up until his death in 2011 at the age of 77. He is survived by his son, Daisuke Kitagawa, who followed in his father's footsteps and became an actor as well.
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Hideo Tanaka (November 24, 1933 Japan-July 9, 2011 Sayama) also known as Tanaka Hideo was a Japanese television director, film producer, screenwriter and actor.
He died caused by stomach cancer.
Hideo Tanaka began his career as an assistant television director in 1955 with the Tokyo Broadcasting System. He later worked as a producer and director for several popular Japanese television dramas, including the long-running series "Abarenbō Shōgun" and "Mito Kōmon." In addition to his work in television, Tanaka also produced and directed a number of films, including "Kaseifu wa Mita! 3" and "Kasutāzu no Tora."
Throughout his career, Tanaka was recognized for his contributions to the Japanese entertainment industry. He received numerous awards, including the Kinuyo Tanaka Award in 1996 for his work as a film director. Despite his success, Tanaka remained humble and dedicated to his craft until his death at the age of 77.
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Saburo Kamei (April 3, 1938 Hokkaido-April 5, 2015) was a Japanese voice actor and actor.
He began his career as a voice actor in the 1960s and became well-known for his deep, distinctive voice. Some of his notable voice acting roles include Shogun in Ninja Sentai Kakuranger, Kuwaga Raiger in Seijuu Sentai Gingaman, and Professor Amamori in Ultraman Tiga. Kamei also appeared in live-action films and TV dramas, such as The Human Condition (1959) and Taiyo ni Hoero! (1972-73). Outside of his acting work, he was an avid collector of classic cars and was known for his love of antique sports cars. Kamei passed away at the age of 77 due to pneumonia.
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Sadakichi Hartmann (November 8, 1867 Dejima-November 22, 1944 St. Petersburg) a.k.a. Carl Sadakichi Hartmann was a Japanese actor and poet. He had two children, Dorothea Gilliland and Wistaria Linton.
Hartmann was also known for his contribution to American modernism through his art criticism and poetry. He was part of the circle of artists and writers in early 20th century New York, including Alfred Stieglitz and Ezra Pound. Hartmann's poetry often explored themes of loneliness, identity, and his mixed Japanese and German heritage. In addition to his creative endeavors, Hartmann was a skilled photographer and inventor, with several photographic patents to his name. He also worked as a journalist, writing for various publications throughout his career, and was a frequent lecturer on art and literature.
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