Tetsuro Tamba
Born July 17, 1922 (Age: 103)
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Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
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.
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.
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Filmography
Capone: Roppongi Renkin no Teio
2004
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as
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Age: 81
Shura Group Part 2
2002
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as
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Age: 80
The Twilight Samurai
2002
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as Tozaemon Iguchi
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Age: 80
The Cat Returns
2002
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as Cat King (voice)
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Age: 80
No Image
Shura Group Part 1
2002
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as
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Age: 79
修羅のみち
2001
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as
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Age: 79
Sakuya: The Slayer of Demons
2000
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as Old Master
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Age: 78
A Class to Remember IV: Fifteen
2000
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as Tetsuo Hatake
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Age: 78
The Stupid Teacher
2000
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as Utaemon Baba
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Age: 78
Tetsuro Tamba’s Great Spiritual World 3: Amazing Reincarnation Story That Ran Around the Whole
1994
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as
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Age: 71
源氏九郎颯爽記 秘剣揚羽の蝶
1991
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Age: 69
The Hitman: Blood Smells Like Roses
1991
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Age: 68
Be-In Bully High School
1990
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as Ryotaro Sakurazawa
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Age: 68
13 Assassins
1990
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as
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Age: 67
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World 2: I was surprised when I died!!
1990
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as Ryo Okamoto
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Age: 67
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World: What Happens When You Die
1989
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as 吉野博士
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Age: 66
Tokyo Pop
1988
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as Mr. Dota
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Age: 65
The White Tiger Battalion
1986
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Age: 64
Kōgen ni ressha ga hashitta
1984
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Age: 62
Zero
1984
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as Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
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Age: 62
Lady Vengeance and the 47 Ronin
1983
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Age: 61
The Duel in the Forbidden Territory
1983
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Age: 61
The Villain from Edo Kochiyama Soshun
1982
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Age: 60
The Imperial Navy
1981
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as Jisaburo Ozawa
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Age: 59
The Last Days of Planet Earth
1981
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as Dr. Nishiyama
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Age: 58
Tidal Wave
1975
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as Prime Minister Yamato
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Age: 52
A Picture of Madame Yuki
1975
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as
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Age: 52
Prophecies of Nostradamus
1974
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as Dr. Nishiyama
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Age: 52
Submersion of Japan
1973
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as Prime Minister Yamamoto
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Age: 51
Troops of Darkness
1971
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Age: 49
The Gambler's Counterattack
1971
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as Chief Inspector
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Age: 49
King of Pornography
1971
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Age: 48
やくざ番外地 抹殺
1969
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Age: 47
Japan's Violent Gangs: The Boss and the Killers
1969
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Age: 47
Lone Rebel
1969
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Age: 47
The Private Police
1969
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Age: 47
Penitentiary Brothers
1969
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Age: 47
Sky Scraper!
1969
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Age: 46
Diamonds of the Andes
1968
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Age: 45
The Code of Man
1968
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Age: 45
High-Ranking Yakuza
1965
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Age: 43
Ankoku gai jingi
1965
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Age: 42
Detective
1964
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Age: 42
Homicide
1964
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as Lieutenant Aikawa
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Age: 41
Tokyo Untouchables
1964
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Age: 41
Gang Loyalty and Vengeance
1963
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as Gu Shimizu
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Age: 41
Element of Surprise
1963
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Age: 41
Futari dake no toride
1963
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Age: 40
Ano hito wa ima
1963
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Age: 40
Tokyo Untouchable: Escape
1963
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as Goro Kawamoto
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Age: 40
Kizu-darake no futeki-sha
1963
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Age: 40
Gang and G-Men Part 2
1963
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as 手塚徹
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Age: 40
Eleven Gangsters
1963
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Age: 40
Uragirimono wa jigoku daze
1962
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Age: 40
Operation Diamond
1962
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as Kazuo Kasami
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Age: 40
Umineko ga tonde
1962
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Age: 40
Gang vs. G-Men
1962
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as Toru Tezuka
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Age: 40
Hell's Kitchen
1962
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Age: 40
Four Sisters
1962
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as Masao Igarashi
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Age: 39
Zankokuna tsuki
1962
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Age: 39
G-Men in the Pacific
1962
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as Mizuhara
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Age: 39
Tales of Young Genji Kuro 3
1962
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Age: 39
South Pacific Waves Are High
1962
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Age: 39
Structure of Hate
1961
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Age: 39
Greed in Broad Daylight
1961
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as Miyahara
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Age: 39
Bridge to the Sun
1961
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as Jiro
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Age: 39
The Yellow Climate
1961
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Age: 39
Standing Towards the Great Forest
1961
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Age: 39
Mist and Shadows
1961
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as Yusuke Komiya
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Age: 39
Kill the Killer!
1961
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as Narumi
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Age: 38
Red Flowers of Hell
1961
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Age: 38
機動捜査班
1961
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Age: 38
No Image
Kaachan
1961
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Age: 38
Pigs and Battleships
1961
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as Slasher Tetsuji
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Age: 38
Daredevil in the Castle
1961
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as Sadamasa Ishikawa
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Age: 38
Get 'em All
1960
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as Tanabe
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Age: 38
Showdown on Pier No.3
1960
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as Kirishima
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Age: 37
The Gambling Samurai
1960
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as Fumizo Mitsuki
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Age: 37
Zero sen no jorō gun
1960
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Age: 37
Kingorō no kaigun taishô
1959
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Age: 37
No Image
No Police
1959
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Age: 36
No Image
Nude Woman and Murder Maze
1959
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as Senba
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Age: 36
The Pacific War and the International Military Tribunal
1959
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Age: 36
No Image
Kyōen Kobanzame
1958
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Age: 36
Bloody History of Soldiers
1958
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as Shumei Okawa
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Age: 36
Emperor & Empress Meiji and the Sino-Japanese War
1958
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as Keisuke Otori
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Age: 35
Devil Princess’ Beauty Competition
1956
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Age: 34
No Image
President Rai of Kingoro
1956
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Age: 34
Admiral Yamamoto and the Allied Fleets
1956
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Age: 34
The Prosecutor and His Sister
1956
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Age: 33
No Image
Kingoro's Soldier
1956
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Age: 33
No Image
Speed King
1956
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Age: 33
No Image
The Fencing Collegian
1956
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Age: 33
Kuronekokan ni Kieta Otoko
1956
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Age: 33
花眞珠
1955
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Age: 33
Mysterious Dwarf
1955
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Age: 32
The Sacrifice of the Human Torpedoes
1955
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Age: 32
日本敗れず
1954
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Age: 32