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Tetsuro Tamba
Actor

Tetsuro Tamba

17 Jul 1922Born
24 Sep 2006Died
84Age at death
355Credits

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.

Read the full biography

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.

Known for

Filmography

The 80 most recent of 355 credits.

  1. 2006Teruo Ishii Fan ClubFilm
  2. 2005Demon PondFilm
  3. 2005YoshitsuneSeries: Minamoto no Yorimasa (Gen-ji) (49 episodes)
  4. 2004Order Made ~Shiawase Iro no Shinshi Fuku Mise~Series (5 episodes)
  5. 2004The Thousand Year FireFilm
  6. 2004Capone: Roppongi Renkin no TeioFilm
  7. 2003Yumemiru BudoSeries (11 episodes)
  8. 2003GozuFilm
  9. 2003Yakuza DemonFilm: Michitane Tendou
  10. 2003A Case of Murder by the Atami Station Taxi StandFilm
  11. 2003T.R.Y.Film
  12. 2002Shura Group Part 2Film
  13. 2002The Twilight SamuraiFilm: Tozaemon Iguchi
  14. 2002Deadly Outlaw: RekkaFilm: Sanada
  15. 2002The Cat ReturnsFilm: Cat King (voice)
  16. 2002Graveyard of HonorFilm: Tetsuji Tokura
  17. 2002The Happiness of the KatakurisFilm: Granpa Jinpei Katakuri
  18. 2002Shura GroupFilm
  19. 2002Toshiie and MatsuSeries: Tarozaemon Iguchi (51 episodes)
  20. 2002Shura Group Part 1Film
  21. 2001Ino Tadataka: Meridian DreamsFilm
  22. 2001The Making Of The KatakurisFilm
  23. 2001修羅のみちFilm
  24. 2001Blind Beast vs Killer DwarfFilm
  25. 2000Sakuya: The Slayer of DemonsFilm: Old Master
  26. 2000A Class to Remember IV: FifteenFilm: Tetsuo Hatake
  27. 2000The Stupid TeacherFilm: Utaemon Baba
  28. 1999Japanese HellFilm: Asu Shino
  29. 1999The Veteran TrioSeries: Inui Sanshiro (9 episodes)
  30. 1999Jubaku: SpellboundFilm: Tajiro Kawakami
  31. 1999Crayon Shin-chan: Explosion! The Hot Spring's Feel Good Final BattleFilm: Tamba (voice)
  32. 1998ScrewedFilm: Landlord
  33. 1997The Peking ManFilm: Osone
  34. 1997Kaseifu wa mita!Series (1 episode)
  35. 1997Fujisawa Shuhei's Sparkling Sword: Puppeteer in the ShadowsFilm
  36. 1995Hashiran ka!Series: 前田米吉 (151 episodes)
  37. 1995Gokenin ZankuroSeries (8 episodes)
  38. 1994Tetsuro Tamba’s Great Spiritual World 3: Amazing Reincarnation Story That Ran Around the WholeFilm: Director, Screenplay
  39. 1994Coming HomeSeries: Shirota Fukuzo (12 episodes)
  40. 1994Psychic: Traveler to the UnknownFilm
  41. 1993新幹線物語'93夏Series: 黒木哲也 (12 episodes)
  42. 1993Emperor of UpheavalFilm
  43. 1993The Supernormal IIFilm
  44. 1992Hanshichi TorimonochōSeries (2 episodes)
  45. 1992Taira no KiyomoriFilm
  46. 1991Minamoto YoshitsuneFilm
  47. 1991The Tale of GenjiSeries (2 episodes)
  48. 1991The Great Shogunate BattleFilm
  49. 1991Yakuza WarfareFilm
  50. 1991源氏九郎颯爽記　秘剣揚羽の蝶Film
  51. 1991Riki-Oh: The Story of RickyFilm: Master Zhang
  52. 1991The Hitman: Blood Smells Like RosesFilm
  53. 1991Kim's WarFilm
  54. 1991Female Neo-NinjasFilm: Time Patrol leader
  55. 1991Heat WaveFilm: Denkichi Tsuzaki
  56. 1990Yonimo Kimyou na Monogatari TokubetsuhenSeries (5 episodes)
  57. 19901750 Days of TurbulenceFilm
  58. 1990Be-In Bully High SchoolFilm: Ryotaro Sakurazawa
  59. 1990Aurora BorealisFilm: Tsuneiro Kamisaka
  60. 1990The Great White TowerSeries: Professor Ukai (2 episodes)
  61. 199013 AssassinsFilm
  62. 1990Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World 2: I was surprised when I died!!Film: Ryo Okamoto, Screenplay
  63. 1990HOTELSeries: Ohara Tetsutaro (85 episodes)
  64. 1989The Ginger TreeSeries: Hirushi Tsushima (1 episode)
  65. 1989Tokyo: The Last WarFilm: Kanaami Kohou, Kan'ami Kouou
  66. 1989Four Days of Snow and BloodFilm: Jinzaburi Shinzaki
  67. 1989The Political GameFilm
  68. 1989Yakuza Ladies 3Film: Takeo Sakanishi
  69. 1989長七郎江戸日記スペシャル 長七郎 大奥まかり通るFilm
  70. 1989Shogun's ShadowFilm: Hotta Masamori
  71. 1989Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World: What Happens When You DieFilm: 吉野博士, Screenplay
  72. 1988Tokugawa Ieyasu – TBS Warlord SpecialFilm
  73. 1988Tokyo PopFilm: Mr. Dota
  74. 1988A Taxing Woman's ReturnFilm: Sadohara
  75. 1988Tetsuro Tamba's Spirit WorldFilm: Director
  76. 1987TabaruzakaSeries: Ôyama Tunayoshi (2 episodes)
  77. 1987There Goes Benio, the Smart GirlFilm
  78. 1987Twilight of the CockroachesFilm: Grandpa (voice)
  79. 1987You're My DestinyFilm
  80. 1987Ronin on a MissionFilm: Ōishi Kuranosuke

Biography and credits from TMDB. This website uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.