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Tetsuro Tamba

Acting

Tetsuro Tamba

Tetsuro Tamba is an actor born on July 17, 1922 in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. He died on September 24, 2006, aged 84. He is known for You Only Live Twice, Harakiri and The Happiness of the Katakuris. GloboWatch shows where to watch one of his movies and TV shows, country by country.

Known for
Acting
Born
July 17, 1922
Place of birth
Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
Died
September 24, 2006
Also known as
丹波 哲郎 · Tetzuro Tamba · Tetsurô Tanba

Biography

Tetsuro Tamba (July 17, 1922 – September 24, 2006) was a distinguished Japanese actor known for his versatile talent across five decades. Recognized globally for his portrayal of Tiger Tanaka in the iconic 1967 James Bond film "You Only Live Twice," Tamba's cinematic journey was a remarkable blend of cultural bridges. Before embarking on his acting career, Tamba worked as an interpreter for the Allied Powers' Supreme Commander. Graduating from Chuo University in 1948, he later joined Shintoho company, making his debut in the film Satsujin Yougishain in 1951. Tamba's impact on Western audiences extended beyond Bond, with standout performances in films like Bridge to the Sun and The 7th Dawn. He earned acclaim in Japan as well, most notably as the lead in police dramas like Key Hunter and G-Men '75. His talents weren't confined to the screen alone. Tamba lent his voice to characters like the Cat King in Studio Ghibli's The Cat Returns and graced historical roles in television dramas, leaving an indelible mark on period pieces. In 2005, Tamba faced health challenges but continued to contribute until the end. Sadly, he passed away in Tokyo at 84 due to pneumonia on September 24, 2006. His legacy lives on through his son, actor Yoshitaka Tamba, while his last appearances in the 2005 Taiga drama Yoshitsune and the 2006 film Sinking of Japan remain a testament to his enduring impact on Japanese cinema and beyond.

Filmography

  1. 2003Gozu
  2. 2003Yakuza Demonas Michitane Tendou
  3. 2002The Twilight Samuraias Tozaemon Iguchi
  4. 2002Deadly Outlaw: Rekkaas Sanada
  5. 2002The Cat Returnsas Cat King (voice)
  6. 2002Graveyard of Honoras Tetsuji Tokura
  7. 2002The Happiness of the Katakurisas Granpa Jinpei Katakuri
  8. 2001Blind Beast vs Killer Dwarf
  9. 2000Sakuya: The Slayer of Demonsas Old Master
  10. 1999Crayon Shin-chan: Explosion! The Hot Spring's Feel Good Final Battleas Tamba (voice)
  11. 1991Riki-Oh: The Story of Rickyas Master Zhang
  12. 1991Heat Waveas Denkichi Tsuzaki
  13. 1989Shogun's Shadowas Hotta Masamori
  14. 1988Tokyo Popas Mr. Dota
  15. 1988A Taxing Woman's Returnas Sadohara
  16. 1987Twilight of the Cockroachesas Grandpa (voice)
  17. 1982Marco Poloas Vasaio · 2 episodes
  18. 1982Onimasa: A Japanese Godfatheras Uichi Suda, The Big Boss
  19. 1981The Imperial Navyas Jisaburo Ozawa
  20. 1981The Bushido Bladeas Lord Yamato
  21. 1981Samurai Reincarnationas Muramasa
  22. 1980Shogun's Ninjaas Tozawa Hakuunsai
  23. 1980Port Arthuras Gentaro Kodama
  24. 1979Hunter in the Darkas Okitsugu Tanuma
  25. 1978The Fall of Ako Castleas Yanagisawa
  26. 1978Bandits vs. Samurai Squadronas Kichibei
  27. 1978Message from Spaceas Ernest Noguchi
  28. 1978Shogun's Samurai: The Yagyu Clan Conspiracyas Ogasawara Gensinsai
  29. 1977Mount Hakkodaas Colonel Kojima
  30. 1975The Bullet Trainas Sunaga
  31. 1975All Men Are Brothersas Lu Chun I
  32. 1974The Executioner II: Karate Infernoas Kimitake Shugi / Moroki
  33. 1974The Castle of Sandas Detective Eitaro Imanishi
  34. 1974Prophecies of Nostradamusas Dr. Nishiyama
  35. 1974Zero Woman: Red Handcuffsas Nagumo
  36. 1974Violent Streetsas Shimamura
  37. 1973Submersion of Japanas Prime Minister Yamamoto
  38. 1973Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy Waras Tatsuo Akashi
  39. 1973Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eightas Shino
  40. 1973Battles Without Honor and Humanity
  41. 1972The Water Marginas Jade Unicorn, Lu Chun I
  42. 1972Under the Flag of the Rising Sunas Sergeant Katsuo Togashi
  43. 1971Silenceas Cristóvão Ferreira
  44. 1971The Wolvesas Genryu Asakura
  45. 1971The Battle of Okinawaas Lieutenant General Isamu Cho
  46. 1969The 5-Man Armyas Samurai
  47. 1969Goyokinas Rokugo Tatewaki
  48. 1968Black Lizardas Kuroki
  49. 1967You Only Live Twiceas Tiger Tanaka
  50. 1966Sazen Tange and The Secret of the Urnas Lord Tsushima Yagyu
  51. 1965Samurai Spyas Sakon Takatani
  52. 1965Kwaidanas Warrior (segment "Hoichi the Earless")
  53. 1964Revengeas Shume Okuno
  54. 1964The 7th Dawnas Ng
  55. 1964Assassinationas Hachiro Kiyokawa
  56. 1964Three Outlaw Samuraias Sakon Shiba · Producer
  57. 196313 Assassinsas Doi Ōkō Toshi
  58. 1962Harakirias Hikokuro Omodaka
  59. 1961Bridge to the Sunas Jiro
  60. 1961Pigs and Battleshipsas Slasher Tetsuji