Japanese movie stars died in 2011
Here are 17 famous actors from Japan died in 2011:
Yoshio Harada
Yoshio Harada (February 29, 1940 Adachi-July 19, 2011 Tokyo) also known as Harada Yoshio was a Japanese actor. He had two children, Mayu Harada and Kenta Harada.
Harada began his acting career in 1961 and gained recognition in the 1980s and 1990s for his roles in popular Japanese films, such as "The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On" in 1987 and "Sumo Do, Sumo Don't" in 1992. He won several awards for Best Supporting Actor, including the Japan Academy Prize for "Warm Water Under a Red Bridge" in 2002. Harada was also a stage actor and director, and founded his own theater company in 1989. He continued to act in both film and theater until his death in 2011 at age 71.
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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 was best known for his science fiction works, including the novel "Japan Sinks", which was adapted into a popular film in 1973. Komatsu was a prolific writer, with over 60 books and numerous screenplays to his name. He won several awards throughout his career, including the prestigious Seiun Award for science fiction in 1973 and the Tanizaki Prize for literature in 1992. In addition to his writing, Komatsu also worked as a television host and actor, appearing in several Japanese dramas and films. He was a prominent figure in the Japanese entertainment industry and his works continue to be celebrated today.
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Minoru Tanaka
Minoru Tanaka (October 27, 1966 Tokyo-April 25, 2011 Ōta, Tokyo) was a Japanese actor.
He began his career in the 1980s and rose to prominence in the 1990s, appearing in numerous films and television shows. Some of his most notable works include the TV drama "Under One Roof" and the film "Maborosi," which was directed by acclaimed filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda. Tanaka was also known for his extensive work as a voice actor, lending his talents to a number of anime series and video games. He was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2008 and remained active in the entertainment industry while undergoing treatment. Tanaka passed away in 2011 at the age of 44.
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Ken Yamaguchi
Ken Yamaguchi (March 24, 1956 Fukushima Prefecture-October 24, 2011 Fukushima Prefecture) also known as Kiyoshige Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi Ken or 山口 健 was a Japanese voice actor and actor. His child is called Kiyohiro Yamaguchi.
Ken Yamaguchi started his career in the entertainment industry as a voice actor in the early 1980s, lending his voice to numerous anime series and movies. He had a deep and distinctive voice which often suited villainous characters. Some of his notable voice acting roles include Graviton in "Transformers: Super-God Masterforce," Zabuza Momichi in "Naruto," and Jouji Gouda in "City Hunter."
Aside from voice acting, Yamaguchi also appeared in several TV dramas and movies as an actor. He had a small role in Akira Kurosawa's "Ran" and played the lead in the popular comedy series "Getsuyou Golden."
In 2011, at the age of 55, Yamaguchi passed away due to heart failure in his hometown of Fukushima Prefecture. His legacy as a talented and versatile voice actor lives on in the many anime series and movies he contributed to throughout his career.
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Hiroshi Arikawa
Hiroshi Arikawa (November 2, 1940 Kagoshima Prefecture-October 16, 2011 Komae) was a Japanese actor and voice actor.
He began his acting career in the 1960s and appeared in numerous Japanese television dramas and films. Arikawa was also a prolific voice actor and lent his voice to a variety of characters in anime series, video games, and dubbing work for foreign films. Some of his notable roles include Chiyonosuke Azuma in "Touch" and "Cross Game", as well as Tubalcain Alhambra in "Hellsing". Throughout his career, Arikawa received several accolades including the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 17th Japan Academy Prize for his work in the film "A Taxing Woman". Arikawa passed away in 2011 at the age of 70.
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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.
Junpei Takiguchi had an extensive career in both live-action and animation. He appeared in many popular TV dramas and films in Japan, including "The Unfaithful Wife," "Black Rain," and "Conflagration." He was also a prolific voice actor, lending his voice to many iconic anime characters such as Dracula in "Captain Tsubasa," Don Patch in "Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo," and Mr. Satan in "Dragon Ball Z." In addition to his acting work, Takiguchi was also a successful narrator, providing voiceovers for documentaries and other programs. He was known for his deep, distinctive voice and his ability to portray strong, authoritative characters. Despite suffering from ill health in his later years, Takiguchi continued to work in the entertainment industry until his death in 2011 at the age of 80.
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Muga Takewaki
Muga Takewaki (February 17, 1944 Abiko-August 21, 2011 Ōta, Tokyo) a.k.a. Takewaki Muga was a Japanese actor.
He is best known for his roles in the films "The Ballad of Narayama" (1983), "The Geisha" (1983), and "The Triple Cross" (1992). Takewaki began his acting career in the 1960s as a member of the Bungakuza theater company. He later transitioned to film and television, and became a prominent figure in Japanese cinema. In addition to his acting work, Takewaki was also a director and producer, and was involved in the production of several films throughout his career. He passed away in 2011 due to heart failure.
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Hiroyuki Nagato
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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Naoki Sugiura
Naoki Sugiura (December 8, 1931 Okazaki-September 21, 2011 Tokyo) a.k.a. Sugiura Naoki was a Japanese actor.
He began his acting career in the 1950s and gained fame for his roles in films like "Nichiren to Mōko Daishūrai" (1958) and "Sengoku Yarō" (1963). Sugiura was also a prolific TV actor, appearing in popular series such as "Monkey", "Kita no kuni kara" and "Ikebukuro West Gate Park". He was the recipient of the Best Actor award at the 7th Japan Academy Prize for his performance in the film "Humanity and Paper Balloons" (1959). In addition to acting, Sugiura was also a writer and director, having published several books and directed a number of films.
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Joe Yamanaka
Joe Yamanaka (September 2, 1946 Yokohama-August 7, 2011 Yokosuka) a.k.a. 城アキラ, Akira Yamanaka, Joe, Yamanaka Akira, 山中明, Akira Joh, Akira Jo or Jô Yamanaka was a Japanese actor, professional boxer, singer and musician.
Joe Yamanaka was born on September 2, 1946, in Yokohama, Japan. He started his career as a professional boxer but soon left it to pursue his passion for music. He became the lead singer of the popular rock band The Flowers in the 1960s, which later became the influential rock group, The Beasts.
Yamanaka's powerful vocals and dynamic stage presence made him a popular figure in the Japanese music scene. He released several solo albums and collaborated with notable musicians such as Mickie Yoshino, Akira Takasaki, and others.
Apart from music, Yamanaka was also active in acting and appeared in several films and TV dramas. He was known for his eccentric and sometimes controversial performances. Despite his success, Yamanaka struggled with drug addiction, which led to legal troubles and a period of hiatus in the 1980s. However, he made a comeback in the 1990s and continued to release music and perform until his death in 2011, at the age of 64.
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Osamu Kobayashi
Osamu Kobayashi (November 22, 1934 Tokyo-June 28, 2011 Bunkyō) a.k.a. Kobayashi Osamu was a Japanese actor and voice actor.
Kobayashi began his career as a stage actor before transitioning to television and film. He was known for his versatile talents as an actor, bringing depth and authenticity to a wide range of characters. Kobayashi became a prominent voice actor in the 1970s and 1980s, lending his voice to iconic anime characters such as Daisuke Jigen in "Lupin III" and Ishikawa Goemon in "The Castle of Cagliostro." He also dubbed foreign films and television shows into Japanese. Kobayashi's contributions as an actor and voice actor have had a lasting impact on Japanese entertainment.
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Toshiyuki Hosokawa
Toshiyuki Hosokawa (December 15, 1940 Kokura-January 14, 2011 Tokyo) also known as 細川 俊之 or Hosokawa Toshiyuki was a Japanese actor. His child is called .
Toshiyuki Hosokawa was born in Kokura, Japan on December 15, 1940. He started his career in 1959 as a stage actor and later ventured into television and film. He is known for his roles in popular Japanese dramas such as "Oshin", "Mito Komon", and "Takeda Shingen".
Throughout his career, Hosokawa appeared in over 100 films and television dramas, earning him numerous awards and recognition in the Japanese entertainment industry. He was also a respected voice actor and narrated several documentaries and commercials.
In his personal life, Hosokawa had one child, a son who followed in his footsteps and became an actor himself. Hosokawa passed away on January 14, 2011 in Tokyo, leaving behind a legacy as one of Japan's most beloved actors.
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Rei Harakami
Rei Harakami (December 10, 1970 Kyoto-July 27, 2011 Japan) also known as レイ・ハラカミ, Rel Harakami or レイ ハラカミ was a Japanese actor and film score composer.
Born and raised in Kyoto, Rei Harakami began his career in the music industry in the early 1990s, releasing his debut album, "Opa*Q" in 1998. Over the course of his career, he released several more albums and singles, and was known for his experimental, electronic sound that incorporated elements of ambient, trip-hop, and techno, among other genres.
In addition to his music career, Harakami also worked as a film score composer, contributing music to several Japanese films and television series. He was particularly known for his work on the award-winning film "Sakuran," directed by Mika Ninagawa.
Sadly, Harakami passed away in 2011 at the young age of 40. He is remembered as a respected and influential figure in the Japanese music scene, and his innovative sound continues to inspire new generations of musicians.
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Hideo Tanaka
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 started his career in the Japanese entertainment industry in the 1950s and worked for various television stations before forming his own production company, Tanaka Promotion, in the 1970s. Some of his notable works include the television series "Kamen Rider," "Super Sentai," and "Ultraman."
As a film producer, Tanaka was responsible for the production of some of the most iconic Japanese monster movies like "Godzilla vs. Biollante" and "Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah." He also directed several films such as "Disco Tengoku" and "Onna no Dairugger XV."
Tanaka made occasional appearances on screen as an actor, with his most notable role being the character of Dr. Iwamoto in the original "Godzilla" movie in 1954. He was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, for his contributions to the arts in 2009.
Tanaka passed away at the age of 77 due to complications from pneumonia in 2011.
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Kiyoshi Kodama
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.
Kodama made his debut in the entertainment industry in 1953 with the Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) radio program "The Cooking Corner" before landing his first film role in "Group Burglars" in 1957. He gained widespread recognition for his performance in the 1961 film "Storm Over the Pacific". In addition to his acting career, Kodama was also a prolific voice actor, lending his voice to numerous anime series, including "Doraemon", "Astro Boy", and "Sazae-san".
Kodama was a well-known television personality, hosting multiple variety shows and game shows throughout his career, including "Kodama no Hit Parade" and "Tenchi wo Kurau". He was also a published author, writing several books on topics such as cooking, gardening, and historical figures.
Kodama received multiple awards for his contributions to the entertainment industry, including the Japan Academy Prize for Best Supporting Actor in 1985 for his role in the film "Gokudo no Onna-tachi". He continued to act and make public appearances until his death in 2011 at the age of 77.
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Nakamura Shikan VII
Nakamura Shikan VII (April 11, 1928 Tokyo-October 10, 2011 Tokyo) a.k.a. Eijir o Nakamura, Nakamura Shikan, Eijirô Nakamura, Nakamura Kotarō IV, Nakamura Fukusuke IX, Narikomaya or Shikan Nakamura was a Japanese actor.
He was the seventh in the line of Nakamura Shikan, a renowned kabuki actor family. He made his stage debut at the age of 8 and had his official debut at the Kabukiza in Tokyo in 1940. Nakamura Shikan VII was known for his versatility and was recognized as a Living National Treasure in 1994. Apart from Kabuki, he also acted in movies and on television, winning several awards and accolades for his performances. Some of his notable film works include "Nihonjin no Shiranai Nihongo" (2010) and "Akagi" (1995). In addition to his acting career, he was also actively involved in promoting Kabuki overseas to new audiences. He was instrumental in organizing Kabuki performances outside Japan and conducting workshops to teach Kabuki to non-Japanese actors.
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Jirō Sakagami
Jirō Sakagami (April 16, 1934 Kagoshima Prefecture-March 10, 2011 Tochigi Prefecture) also known as Jiro Sakagami was a Japanese comedian, singer and actor.
He was part of the comedy duo "The Drifters" along with his friend and longtime partner, Ken Shimura. Sakagami was known for his unique brand of comedy which involved physical comedy and puns. He was also an accomplished singer and released several albums throughout his career. In addition to his success in comedy, Sakagami also appeared in numerous films and television shows, showcasing his versatility as an actor. He retired from show business in 1986, but remained a beloved figure in Japanese entertainment until his death in 2011.
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