Japanese movie stars died at 80
Here are 9 famous actors from Japan died at 80:
Kamatari Fujiwara
Kamatari Fujiwara (January 15, 1905 Fukagawa, Tokyo-December 21, 1985 Tokyo) also known as Fujiwara Kamatari, Fujiwara Keita or Keita Fujiwara was a Japanese actor.
He died in myocardial infarction.
Kamatari Fujiwara started his acting career in the 1930s and went on to become one of Japan's most popular and versatile actors, appearing in over 400 films. He worked with some of Japan's most celebrated directors, including Yasujiro Ozu and Akira Kurosawa, and was known for his comedic timing and dramatic range.
In addition to his work in film, Fujiwara also acted in television dramas and on stage. He was a member of the Japan Actors' Association and received numerous awards throughout his career, including the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Fourth Class, in recognition of his contributions to the arts.
Outside of his acting work, Fujiwara was also involved in politics and served as a member of the Japanese House of Councillors from 1962 to 1977. He was known for his outspoken views on political and social issues and continued to speak out on these topics even after his retirement from politics.
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Isao Yamagata
Isao Yamagata (July 25, 1915 London-June 28, 1996) a.k.a. Yamagata Isao was a Japanese actor.
He started his acting career in the 1940s and appeared in numerous films and television dramas throughout his career. Some of his notable works include "The Ballad of Narayama" (1958), "Black River" (1957), and "Samurai Banners" (1969). He was also a prolific voice actor and lent his voice to various animated characters including Goemon Ishikawa XIII in the Lupin III series. Along with his acting career, Yamagata served as the president of the theatrical company Engeki Kyokai. He was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette for his contributions to the entertainment industry.
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Chiezō Kataoka
Chiezō Kataoka (March 30, 1903 Ota-March 31, 1983) a.k.a. Chiezo Kataoka, Masayoshi Ueki, かたおか ちえぞう, うえき まさよし, 植木 正義, Ueki Masayoshi, 片岡 千恵蔵, 片岡 千惠藏, 植木 進 or うえき すすむ was a Japanese actor. He had two children, Yoshiharu Ueki and Chie Ueki.
He died caused by renal failure.
Chiezō Kataoka was a prominent figure in Japanese cinema, with a prolific career spanning several decades. He began his acting career in 1926 and went on to appear in over 300 films, primarily in the jidai-geki (period drama) genre. He was renowned for his commanding screen presence and his mastery of samurai roles. Despite being often typecast, he was able to bring nuance and depth to his performances and became beloved by audiences across Japan. His most famous works include the "Sword for Hire" series and "The Tale of Zatoichi Continues". Alongside his successful acting career, Kataoka was also a accomplished singer and recorded several albums of traditional Japanese music. His legacy continues to influence Japanese cinema and his performances are still admired by fans and actors alike.
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Tomio Aoki
Tomio Aoki (October 7, 1923 Yokohama-January 24, 2004 Setagaya) also known as 突貫小僧, Aoki Tomio, Tokkan Kozō, 青木 富夫, Tokkan Kozo, Tokkan Kozou, Tokkan-Kozou, Tokkankozo, Tokkankozô, Tokankozô, Tokkan-kozô or Kozo Tokkan was a Japanese actor.
He died in lung cancer.
Tomio Aoki was best known for his role as an adventurous little boy in the silent film "Chokon" (A Boy of China) directed by Yasujiro Ozu in 1928. He went on to appear in over 80 films throughout his career. Aoki was considered one of Japan's first child actors and garnered praise for his ability to display a wide range of emotions on screen. He continued acting into his adult years and also worked as a voice actor, lending his talents to animated films and television shows. Aoki's contributions to Japanese cinema and his impact on the industry are still recognized and celebrated today.
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Junpei Takiguchi
Junpei Takiguchi (April 17, 1931 Funabashi-August 29, 2011 Tokyo) also known as Kouhei Takiguchi, Junpei Taniguchi, Kōhei Takiguchi, Takiguchi Kōhei or Takiguchi Junpei was a Japanese actor and voice actor.
He died in stomach cancer.
Junpei Takiguchi was known for his distinctive baritone voice that lent itself well to a variety of roles, both on stage and in voice acting. He began his career in the entertainment industry in the 1950s, appearing in several stage productions before transitioning to television and film. Takiguchi's talent for voice acting quickly became apparent, and he went on to lend his voice to numerous iconic characters in anime, such as Doctor Eggman in Sonic the Hedgehog and Chief in Mobile Police Patlabor.
Despite being primarily known for his voice acting work, Takiguchi continued to work in theater throughout his career. He was also a prolific dubbing actor, having lent his voice to international films and TV shows for Japanese audiences. In recognition of his contributions to the industry, Takiguchi received numerous awards throughout his career, including the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2005 Seiyu Awards.
Takiguchi's passing in 2011 was a great loss to the entertainment industry, but his contributions to the world of acting and voice acting continue to be celebrated today.
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Hitoshi Ueki
Hitoshi Ueki (December 25, 1926 Nagoya-March 27, 2007 Tokyo) also known as Ueki Hitoshi, 植木やん, 植木屋, うえき ひとし or 植木 等 was a Japanese singer, comedian and actor. He had two children, Koichi Hiro and Yuko Ueki.
Ueki was best known for his contribution to the manzai style of Japanese comedy. He formed a duo with his partner, Kiyoshi Nishikawa, in the mid-1950s, and they quickly rose to fame as "Mecha-Mecha Ike" (lit. "Absolutely Go"), a comedic act that involved lively banter and physical comedy.
In addition to his work in comedy, Ueki had a successful music career, releasing several hit singles and albums throughout the 1960s and 70s.
Ueki was also an accomplished actor and appeared in numerous films and TV dramas throughout his career. His notable works include the films "Miyamoto Musashi" (1954) and "Shibuya de Aimashou" (1962), as well as the TV dramas "Oshin" (1983-1984) and "Futarikko" (1996).
Ueki received several awards throughout his career, including the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1990 and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette in 2006.
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Shūsei Nakamura
Shūsei Nakamura (March 9, 1935 Tokyo Prefecture-April 5, 2015) also known as Shuusei Nakamura, Hideo Nakamura, Shunsuke Hongô, Nakamura Hideo or Shûsei Nakamura was a Japanese voice actor and actor.
He started his career in the entertainment industry as a stage actor before transitioning to voice acting. Among his most popular roles were that of Raoh in the anime series "Fist of the North Star," Captain Hook in "Peter Pan no Bouken," and the titular character in "Doraemon" from 1979 to 2005.
Nakamura was also known for his work as a narrator, particularly in documentaries and news programs. In addition to his voice acting career, he appeared in several television dramas and films, including "The Last Samurai" and "Seven Samurai 20XX."
Throughout his career, Nakamura won numerous awards for his contributions to the voice acting industry, including the "Dubbing Actor Award" at the 4th Seiyu Awards in 2010. He passed away in 2015 at the age of 80 due to heart failure.
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Umewaka Minoru I
Umewaka Minoru I (July 7, 1828 Edo-January 19, 1909 Tokyo) also known as Shosei Umewaka Minoru or Umewaka Rokurō LII was a Japanese actor.
He was the founder of the Umewaka family, a prominent family of Kyōgen actors who specialized in Nō plays. Umewaka Minoru I was born in Edo (modern-day Tokyo) and was trained in the art of Nō and Kyōgen acting from a young age. He made his stage debut at the age of six and continued to perform for over 80 years.
Throughout his career, Umewaka Minoru I was known for his exceptional acting skills and his dedication to the art form. He was also renowned for his contributions to the development of Kyōgen and Nō performances, as well as for his efforts to preserve the traditions of Japanese theater.
In addition to his work as an actor, Umewaka Minoru I was also a noted playwright and producer, and he played a key role in reviving interest in traditional Japanese theater during the Meiji period. Today, he is remembered as one of the most influential figures in the history of Nō and Kyōgen acting, and his contributions to the field continue to be celebrated by contemporary performers and scholars.
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Sakyo Komatsu
Sakyo Komatsu (January 28, 1931 Nishi-ku, Osaka-July 26, 2011 Minoh) also known as Minoru Komatsu, Sakyô Komatsu or Sakyō Komatsu was a Japanese screenwriter, writer and actor.
He died in pneumonia.
Sakyo Komatsu gained fame for his science-fiction and disaster novels. Some of his most notable works include "Japan Sinks", which portrays the destruction of Japan by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and "Sayônara Jupiter", which tells the story of a team of astronauts trying to save Earth from a collision with a comet. Komatsu's works have been adapted into movies, television series, and even manga. He was also an accomplished screenwriter, having written scripts for popular Japanese TV dramas, such as "Kojak" and "Ultraman". Komatsu's contributions to Japanese literature and pop culture have made him a beloved figure in his home country and beyond.
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