Tetsuro Tamba
AKA: 丹波 哲郎
Birthday: 1922-07-17
Died: 2006-09-24
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
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
Character: Warrior (segment "Hoichi the Earless")
Character: Slasher Tetsuji
Character: Genryu Asakura
Character: Detective Eitaro Imanishi
Character: Cat King (voice)
Character: Jade Unicorn, Lu Chun I
Character: Sergeant Katsuo Togashi
Character: Okitsugu Tanuma
Character: Granpa Jinpei Katakuri
Character: Shimamura Kansai
Character: Sakon Takatani
Character: Rokugo Tatewaki
Character: Hachiro Kiyokawa
Character: Prime Minister Yamamoto
Character: Colonel Kojima
Character: Denkichi Tsuzaki
Character: Soshun Kochiyama
Character: Isaburo Tamura
Character: Uichi Suda, The Big Boss
Character: Tetsuji Tokura
Character: Keizo Hasegawa
Character: Tozawa Hakuunsai
Character: Kanetaka Okamura
Character: Captain Munekata
Character: Kurozumi Tenzen
Character: Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
Character: Cristóvão Ferreira
Character: Fumizo Mitsuki
Character: Lieutenant General Isamu Cho
Character: Time Patrol leader
Character: Army General Mikami
Character: Rear Admiral Shimamura
Character: Lieutenant Colonel Akiyama
Character: Sadamasa Ishikawa
Character: Hikokuro Omodaka
Character: Panapora Chief Handa
Character: Tajiro Kawakami
Character: Captain Munekata
Character: Gozaburo Saito
Character: Yagyu Munefuyu
Character: Lawyer Kikuchi
Character: Takeo Sakanishi
Character: Masao Igarashi
Character: Police Inspector Kitagawa
Character: Jinzaburi Shinzaki
Character: President Sakakibara
Character: Kazumasa Tashiro
Character: Kotaro Takamura
Character: Ogasawara Gensinsai
Character: Lord Tsushima Yagyu
Character: Jisaburo Ozawa
Character: Grandpa (voice)
Character: Gentaro Kodama
Character: Chief Inspector
Character: Shintani Kosaku
Character: Tozaemon Iguchi
Character: Noboru Yamaguchi
Character: Mumyo Tsunataro
Character: Ryotaro Sakurazawa
Character: Ernest Noguchi
Character: Akiji Nishikawa
Character: J1 (TULIP Japan Branch Chief)
Character: Hotta Masamori
Character: Tiger Tanaka (archive footage) (uncredited)
Character: Tiger Tanaka (archive footage)
Character: Tiger Tanaka (archive footage) (uncredited)
Character: Tsuneiro Kamisaka
Character: Lieutenant Aikawa
Character: Aboshi Samajirô
Character: Ōishi Kuranosuke
Character: Terrorist Leader (uncredited)