Tetsurō Tamba

, born , was a Japanese actor with a career spanning five decades. He appeared in nearly 300 film and television productions, both in leading and supporting roles, and was the winner of the 1981 Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Supporting Actor.

At the height of his career, he was one of Japan's most esteemed and prolific leading men, and worked with many significant directors including Kinji Fukasaku, Shōhei Imamura, Masaki Kobayashi, Masahiro Shinoda and Takashi Miike. Several of his films were identified with the Japanese New Wave movement. He also appeared in several international films, notably as Japanese secret service chief Tiger Tanaka in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice. In 1948, he graduated from Chuo University.

He voiced the "Cat King" in the original Japanese version of the Studio Ghibli anime film The Cat Returns. He had parts in Twilight Samurai and two Takashi Miike films, The Happiness of the Katakuris and Gozu, as well as acting as a spokesperson for the Dai Rei Kai spiritual movement.

Tamba's son, Yoshitaka Tamba, is also an actor.

In February 2005, Tamba was hospitalized for influenza and appendicitis. He lost weight drastically and his health degenerated. On September 24, 2006, he died in Tokyo at the age of 84 of pneumonia. His last appearance in the television series is the 2005 Taiga drama Yoshitsune and his last film appearance is Sinking of Japan in 2006.

Selected filmography

Films

TV dramas

Animation Crayon Shin-chan: Explosion! The Hot Spring's Feel Good Final Battle (1999) The Cat Returns (2002)

Awards and nominations Awards 1974: Mainichi Film Award: Best Actor for The Human Revolution 1981: Blue Ribbon Awards: Best Supporting Actor for The Battle of Port Arthur 1981: Japan Academy Prize: Best Supporting Actor for The Battle of Port Arthur 2000: Nikkan Sports Film Award: Best Supporting Actor for 15-Sai: Gakko IV

Awards nominated 2001: Japan Academy Prize: Best Supporting Actor for 15-Sai: Gakko IV