Pathetic Facts

Japanese movie stars died in 2012

Here are 11 famous actors from Japan died in 2012:

Takeshi Aono

Takeshi Aono (June 19, 1936 Asahikawa-April 9, 2012 Hachioji) also known as Aono Takeshi or Takesi Aono was a Japanese voice actor and actor.

He began his career in the 1960s, voicing characters in popular anime series such as "Gatchaman" and "Astro Boy". He became a prolific voice actor in the following decades, lending his voice to numerous characters in anime and video games including Piccolo in "Dragon Ball Z", Shiro Sanada in "Space Battleship Yamato", and Rasler Heios Nabradia in "Final Fantasy XII". Aono also acted in live-action dramas and films, including the internationally acclaimed movie "Tampopo". He received several awards for his voice acting work and was highly respected in the industry. Unfortunately, his career was cut short when he suffered a stroke in 2010, which led to his eventual passing in 2012 at the age of 75.

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Kōji Wakamatsu

Kōji Wakamatsu (April 1, 1936 Wakuya-October 17, 2012 Shinjuku) a.k.a. Takashi Ito, Wakamatsu Kōji, Ito Takashi, Kôji Wakamatsu or Koji Wakamatsu was a Japanese film director, screenwriter, film producer and actor.

He was best known for his politically charged and controversial films that tackled themes of sex, violence, and social upheaval. Wakamatsu began his career in the film industry in the late 1950s as an assistant director, and by the 1960s, he had become a prominent figure in the Japanese New Wave movement. He co-founded the production company, Wakamatsu Productions, which became known for producing films that pushed the boundaries of censorship laws in Japan. Some of his notable films include "Violated Angels," "Ecstasy of the Angels," and "United Red Army." In addition to his work in film, he was also a prolific author and political activist. Wakamatsu died in 2012 at the age of 76 after sustaining injuries in a fall from a building.

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Rikiya Yasuoka

Rikiya Yasuoka (July 19, 1947 Minato-April 8, 2012 Tokyo) also known as Rikiya or Yasuoka Rikiya was a Japanese actor and singer.

He was best known for his work in voice acting and was the official Japanese dubbing voice for many famous actors, including Danny DeVito, Joe Pesci, and Harvey Fierstein. Rikiya began his career in entertainment as a singer, releasing several albums throughout the 1970s, before transitioning to acting in the 1980s. He appeared in various TV dramas, films, and anime series, and won several awards for his performances, including the Best Supporting Actor award at the Japan Academy Prize in 1989. Despite being diagnosed with cancer in 2009, Rikiya continued to work in the entertainment industry until his passing in 2012 at the age of 64.

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Hideji Otaki

Hideji Otaki (June 6, 1925 Kashiwazaki-October 2, 2012 Tokyo) a.k.a. Shuji Otaki, Hideji Ohtaki, Hideji Ōtaki, Ōtaki Hideji, Shimada Shōgo or Otaki Hideji was a Japanese actor and narrator. He had one child, Kumi Otaki.

Otaki began his acting career in the 1950s and appeared in over 200 films and TV dramas. He was known for his distinctive voice and often played authority figures in his roles. Some of his notable works include the films "Tora! Tora! Tora!" and "The Human Condition", as well as the TV dramas "Oshin" and "Mito Kōmon". Otaki was also a prolific narrator, lending his voice to numerous documentaries and television programs. In addition to his acting career, Otaki was a respected stage performer and served as the director of the Haiyuza Theater Company from 1971 to 1992. He was awarded the Medal of Honour with Purple Ribbon in 1994 and the Order of the Rising Sun, 4th Class in 2001 for his contributions to Japanese culture.

Read more about Hideji Otaki on Wikipedia »

Hideaki Nitani

Hideaki Nitani (January 28, 1930 Maizuru-January 7, 2012 Shinjuku) otherwise known as Nitani Hidaki or Dump Truck Guy was a Japanese actor. His child is called Yurie Nitani.

Nitani began his acting career in the early 1950s and appeared in over 200 films and TV dramas, often playing tough guy roles. He gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s with his portrayal of rough, no-nonsense characters, earning him the nickname "Dump Truck Guy" for his rugged appearance. His work in the Japanese film industry garnered critical acclaim and he received several awards throughout his career. In addition to his acting, Nitani also worked as a director and screenwriter for a number of films. He passed away in January 2012 at the age of 81 due to complications from pneumonia.

Read more about Hideaki Nitani on Wikipedia »

Makoto Satō

Makoto Satō (March 18, 1934 Kanzaki District, Saga-December 6, 2012) a.k.a. Makoto Sato was a Japanese actor. He had one child, Tosuke Sato.

Makoto Sato began his career as an actor in 1962 with a role in the film "The Shadow Within." He went on to appear in numerous Japanese films, TV shows, and stage productions, and was known for his versatile acting abilities. Some of his notable film roles include "Harakiri," "Kuroneko," and "Shogun Assassin." In addition to his work as an actor, he also served as a voice actor for several anime shows, including "Space Battleship Yamato" and "Mobile Suit Gundam." Makoto Sato passed away in 2012 at the age of 78.

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Shoichi Ozawa

Shoichi Ozawa (April 6, 1929 Tokyo-December 10, 2012 Tokyo) also known as Shôichi Ozawa, 小澤昭一, おざわしょういち, 小沢昭一, Ozawa Shôichi or 小沢変哲 was a Japanese actor, radio personality, singer and film producer.

Ozawa began his career in the entertainment industry in 1950 as a radio personality. He then transitioned into acting and appeared in numerous films and TV dramas throughout his career. Some of his notable roles include his portrayal of Kihachi in the film "The Human Condition" and Kozo Tsumura in the TV drama "Shimane Prison Riot". Ozawa was also a prolific singer and released several albums throughout his career. In addition to acting and singing, he also produced films such as "The Sea and Poison" and "The Demon". Ozawa received numerous awards for his contributions to the entertainment industry including the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette in 2007.

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Takeo Chii

Takeo Chii (May 5, 1942 Yōkaichiba, Chiba-June 29, 2012 Minato) otherwise known as Chii Takeo was a Japanese actor, tarento and voice actor.

He began his career in the entertainment industry as a stage actor and later transitioned into television dramas, films, and variety shows. Chii gained popularity for his unique voice and versatility in portraying various characters in anime and video games. Some of his most notable voice acting roles include Captain Hook in the Japanese dub of Disney's Peter Pan, Doctor Eggman in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, and Gold Roger in One Piece. In addition to his acting career, Chii was also known for his work as a tarento, making numerous appearances on talk shows and variety programs. He received several accolades throughout his career, including the Best Actor Award at the 10th Yokohama Film Festival for his role in the film "Tosa no Ipponzuki."

Read more about Takeo Chii on Wikipedia »

Takashi Taniguchi

Takashi Taniguchi (July 5, 1947 Hokkaido-December 27, 2012 Japan) also known as 谷口節 or Taniguchi Takashi was a Japanese voice actor and actor.

He was known for his deep, commanding voice and had a prolific career as a voice actor, with notable roles including Captain Hook in the Japanese dub of Disney's "Peter Pan", Kululu in the anime series "Sgt. Frog", and Ryuichiro Isaka in the anime series "Junjo Romantica". In addition to his voice acting work, Taniguchi also appeared on screen, with roles in TV dramas like "Jikou Keisatsu" and "Trick". He passed away in 2012 at the age of 65 due to aortic dissection.

Read more about Takashi Taniguchi on Wikipedia »

Susumu Ishikawa

Susumu Ishikawa (July 13, 1933 Ashikaga-October 29, 2012) was a Japanese voice actor, singer, actor and presenter.

He began his career as a voice actor in the 1950s, and quickly gained popularity for his role as the first Japanese voice of Disney's Mickey Mouse. He went on to lend his voice to many popular anime series such as "Astro Boy," "Dragon Ball," and "Voltron." He also appeared in numerous films and television dramas as an actor. In addition to his career in entertainment, Ishikawa was actively involved in social causes and served as a member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly for four terms. He was also recognized for his contributions to the arts and was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon by the Japanese government in 2001.

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Nakamura Kanzaburō XVIII

Nakamura Kanzaburō XVIII (May 30, 1955 Tokyo-December 5, 2012 Bunkyō) a.k.a. Noriaki Namino, Namino Noriaki, Nakamura Kanzaburo XVIII, Nakamura Kanzaburo, Jūhachidaime Nakamura Kanzaburō or Nakamura Kankurō V was a Japanese actor. He had two children, Nakamura Shichinosuke II and Kankuro Nakamura VI.

Nakamura Kanzaburō XVIII was one of Japan's most celebrated Kabuki actors, who became the 18th person in his family line to take on the stage name of Nakamura Kanzaburō. He made his debut on stage when he was only five years old and started performing professionally when he was 18. Throughout his career, he received numerous accolades and awards for his outstanding performances, including the Order of Culture, the highest honor for an artist in Japan.

Apart from his achievements in Kabuki, Nakamura Kanzaburō XVIII also appeared in several films and television dramas over the years, showcasing his versatility as an actor. He was known for his charismatic stage presence, flamboyant costumes, and dynamic performances that captivated audiences around the world.

Sadly, Nakamura Kanzaburō XVIII passed away in 2012 at the age of 57 due to acute respiratory failure. His death was a great loss to the world of Kabuki and the entertainment industry as a whole, but his legacy lives on through his children, who have continued to carry on the Nakamura family tradition of Kabuki acting.