Japanese movie stars died in 2004
Here are 6 famous actors from Japan died in 2004:
Chosuke Ikariya
Chosuke Ikariya (November 1, 1931 Sumida, Tokyo-March 20, 2004 Minato) also known as Choichi Ikariya, Chō-san, Chōichi Ikariya, Ikariya Chōsuke, Chôsuke Ikariya or The Drifters was a Japanese comedian and actor. He had one child, .
Ikariya found his success in the entertainment industry as one of the founding members of the legendary Japanese comedy group, The Drifters in 1955 which also consisted of Koji Nakamoto, Akira Akasaka, Samu Miyazato and Shizuo Yamauchi. In addition to his successful comedy career, Ikariya also acted in numerous films and television dramas throughout his life. He was a talented musician and played the bass guitar for the Drifters. He was known for his unique style and charisma that made him a beloved figure in the entertainment industry of Japan for more than five decades. Ikariya's death in 2004 was a great loss to the entertainment industry and his many fans.
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Hitoshi Takagi
Hitoshi Takagi (February 26, 1925 Tokyo Prefecture-February 11, 2004 Japan) also known as Kin Takagi or Takagi Hitoshi was a Japanese voice actor and actor.
He began his career in the entertainment industry in 1947 as an actor in the Shochiku film company. He then transitioned into voice acting and gained popularity for his roles in popular anime series such as "Sazae-san", where he voiced the character Namihei Isono for over 30 years. He was also known for his voice acting work in "Doraemon" and "Golgo 13". In addition to his voice acting career, Takagi also appeared in various films and television dramas throughout his career. He was honored with numerous awards for his contributions to the Japanese entertainment industry, including the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette in 2001.
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Isao Tamagawa
Isao Tamagawa (January 11, 1922 Shinjuku-January 1, 2004) also known as 玉川 伊佐男 was a Japanese actor.
He began his acting career in the 1940s with the renowned theatre group Bungakuza before transitioning into film in the 1950s. In his career spanning over five decades, Tamagawa appeared in over 270 films including "Rustic Ceremony" (1956), "The Human Condition" (1959), and "Tokyo Twilight" (1957), directed by Yasujiro Ozu. He was particularly known for his roles in period dramas and war films. Tamagawa also ventured into television, appearing in several popular historical dramas including the NHK Taiga drama "Hana no Ran" in 1994. In addition to his acting career, Tamagawa was also a respected theater director and translator, specializing in bringing Western plays to Japanese audiences.
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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.
Tomio Aoki was best known for his role as the mischievous and streetwise title character in the 1932 silent film "Chimney Tongue" (煙突責任者, Entotsu sekininsha). He started his acting career at age 3 and was one of the most popular child actors in Japan during the 1920s and 1930s. After his success in "Chimney Tongue," Aoki appeared in several other films before retiring from acting in 1935. He later worked as a writer and illustrator and was also involved in the animation industry. Throughout his life, Aoki was dedicated to promoting the welfare of child actors and improving their working conditions. He wrote several books on the subject and was instrumental in establishing the Japan Children's Film Association in 1953.
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Shogo Shimada
Shogo Shimada (December 13, 1905 Yokohama-November 26, 2004 Meguro) a.k.a. Kikutaro Hattori, Shōgo Shimada, 島田 正吾 or Shimada Shōgo was a Japanese actor.
Shogo Shimada was widely known for his role as police detective Kōichi Zenigata in the popular anime series Lupin III. He started his acting career in the 1920s and appeared in over 250 films until his retirement in 1984. Shimada was a versatile actor and starred in various genres, including yakuza films, samurai dramas, and comedies. He was a recipient of several awards, including the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1983 and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette in 1990. In addition to his acting career, Shimada was a renowned rakugoka (traditional Japanese storyteller). He performed under the stage name Katsura Bunshi VI and was designated as a Living National Treasure in 1985.
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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 began his acting career in 1952 with the film "Shitamachi roketto" and quickly gained popularity for his roles in various Japanese films and television dramas. Watanabe appeared in over 130 films and television dramas, including the critically acclaimed 1988 film "The Family Game" directed by Yoshimitsu Morita. He was known for his versatility as an actor, playing a wide range of characters from samurai to salarymen.
In addition to his acting career, Watanabe was also a trained boxer and often incorporated his boxing skills into his roles. He was a beloved figure in the Japanese entertainment industry for his talent and warm personality.
Watanabe passed away in 2004 at the age of 74 due to complications from a stroke. He left behind a legacy as one of Japan's most talented actors and a true icon of Japanese cinema.
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