Here are 7 famous actors from Japan died in 1985:
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 was well known for his roles in jidaigeki (period dramas), yakuza films, and war films. Fujiwara began his acting career in 1923, and made his breakthrough in the film "Osaka Elegy" (1936), directed by Kenji Mizoguchi. He went on to act in over 200 films in his career, including "The Human Condition" (1959), directed by Masaki Kobayashi, and "Red Lion" (1969), directed by Kihachi Okamoto. He was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Star in recognition of his achievements in the film industry in 1985, shortly before his death.
Read more about Kamatari Fujiwara on Wikipedia »
Eiji Kanie (November 21, 1941 Tokyo Prefecture-October 13, 1985 Tokyo) also known as Kanie Eiji or 蟹江 栄司 was a Japanese voice actor and actor.
He was known for his distinctive voice and played a variety of roles in anime, such as Captain Hook in the Japanese dub of Disney's "Peter Pan," Dr. Roget in "Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters," and Professor Gill in "Kamen Rider." Kanie also appeared in several Japanese television dramas, including "Tokugawa Ieyasu" and "Mito Komon." In addition to his voice acting and acting work, Kanie was also a singer and released several singles and albums throughout his career. He passed away in 1985 at the age of 43 due to liver cancer, leaving behind a legacy as a talented and versatile performer in the Japanese entertainment industry.
Read more about Eiji Kanie on Wikipedia »
Seiji Miyaguchi (November 15, 1913 Tokyo City-April 12, 1985 Meguro) also known as Miyaguchi Seiji was a Japanese actor.
Miyaguchi originally started his career as a stage actor and dancer, but he is best known for his work in film. He appeared in over 150 films, and worked with many of Japan's most well-known directors, including Akira Kurosawa, Kenji Mizoguchi, and Yasujiro Ozu. Miyaguchi's most famous role came in Kurosawa's classic film Seven Samurai, where he played the skilled samurai Kyuzo. He was renowned for his martial arts ability and the precision he brought to his fight scenes on camera. In addition to his work in film, Miyaguchi was also a renowned calligrapher and swordsmanship instructor.
Read more about Seiji Miyaguchi on Wikipedia »
Kyu Sakamoto (December 10, 1941 Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-August 12, 1985 Ueno) also known as Kuy Sakamoto, Sakamoto, Kyu, Kyû Sakamoto, Hisashi Oshima, Hisashi Sakamoto, Kyu-chan or Sakamoto Kyū was a Japanese singer, songwriter, actor and tv personality. He had two children, Hanako Oshima and Yukiko Maisaka.
Sakamoto is best known for his hit song "Sukiyaki", which topped the charts in multiple countries including the United States in 1963. The song was originally titled "Ue o Muite Arukou" (I look up as I walk) in Japan, but was renamed by the record label for its international release.
Prior to his success as a singer, Sakamoto worked as a radio DJ and appeared in various television dramas and films. He also formed a band called The Drifters, named after the American group of the same name.
Tragically, Sakamoto passed away at the age of 43 in the crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123, which remains the deadliest single-aircraft accident in history. Despite his untimely death, he left a lasting impact on the Japanese music industry and his music continues to be celebrated today.
Read more about Kyu Sakamoto on Wikipedia »
Denmei Suzuki (March 1, 1900 Ueno, Tokyo-May 13, 1985) also known as Koreya Tôgô, Suzuki Denmei or Zeya Tōgō was a Japanese actor.
Suzuki's career in entertainment spanned over five decades from the 1920s through the 1970s. He appeared in over 300 films in both leading and supporting roles, and was known for his versatility in both dramatic and comedic performances. Suzuki was particularly renowned for his work in jidaigeki films, a genre of historical dramas set in the Edo period of Japan, and he appeared in many of the classics of the genre.
Suzuki was also active in the theater, and performed on stage throughout his career. He was known for his mastery of traditional Japanese acting styles, particularly kabuki and noh, and he incorporated elements of these styles into his film performances.
In addition to his work as an actor, Suzuki was also a prolific writer and published several collections of essays and memoirs throughout his life. He was active in the Japanese literary scene and was a member of several writers' organizations.
Suzuki died in 1985 at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy as one of Japan's most beloved and respected actors.
Read more about Denmei Suzuki on Wikipedia »
Ryūtarō Ōtomo (June 5, 1912 Hiroshima-September 27, 1985 Minato) a.k.a. Ryutaro Otomo was a Japanese actor. His child is called .
Ryūtarō Ōtomo began his career in entertainment as a stage actor in the 1930s. He eventually made the transition to film and television, becoming a well-known figure in the Japanese entertainment industry in the decades following World War II. Some of his more notable film appearances include roles in "Conflagration" (1958), "The Human Condition" (1959–61), and "Black River" (1956).
In addition to his prolific acting career, Ryūtarō Ōtomo was also involved in the Japanese music scene. He composed several songs and even released his own album, titled "Ryūtarō no Uta," in 1964.
Ryūtarō Ōtomo was married to actress Izumi Yukimura and the couple had one child together, a son named Masaru Ōtomo, who went on to become a successful screenwriter and director. Ryūtarō Ōtomo passed away in 1985 at the age of 73.
Read more about Ryūtarō Ōtomo on Wikipedia »
Jun Tazaki (August 28, 1913 Aomori-October 18, 1985 Tokyo) otherwise known as Minoru Tanaka or Tazaki Jun was a Japanese actor.
He starred in over 200 films throughout his career, starting in the 1940s. Tazaki was best known for his roles in martial arts, samurai, and science fiction films. He worked with some of Japan's most famous directors, such as Akira Kurosawa and Ishiro Honda. Tazaki also made appearances in television shows, such as Ultraman and Super Sentai. He was admired for his portrayal of strong and often stoic characters, and his deep voice and commanding presence made him a memorable and respected figure in Japanese cinema. Tazaki was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon for his contributions to the arts in Japan.
Read more about Jun Tazaki on Wikipedia »