Tetsuro Tamba
Acting
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.
Media of
Tetsuro Tamba
Photos (21)
Filmography of
Tetsuro Tamba
... 2006
... 2005
... 2004
... 2004
... 2003
Michitane Tendou
... 2003
... 2003
... 2002
Tozaemon Iguchi
... 2002
Sanada
... 2002
Cat King (voice)
... 2002
Tetsuji Tokura
... 2002
Granpa Jinpei Katakuri
... 2002
... 2002
... 2002
... 2001
... 2001
... 2001
Old Master
... 2000
Tetsuo Hatake
... 2000
Utaemon Baba
... 2000
Asu Shino
... 1999
Tajiro Kawakami
... 1999
... 1999
Landlord
... 1998
Osone
... 1997
... 1994
... 1994
... 1993
... 1993
... 1992
... 1991
... 1991
... 1991
... 1991
... 1991
Master Zhang
... 1991
... 1991
... 1991
Time Patrol leader
... 1991
Denkichi Tsuzaki
... 1991
... 1990
Ryotaro Sakurazawa
... 1990
Tsuneiro Kamisaka
... 1990
... 1990
... 1990
Kanaami Kohou
... 1989
Jinzaburi Shinzaki
... 1989
... 1989
Takeo Sakanishi
... 1989
... 1989
Hotta Masamori
... 1989
Mr. Dota
... 1988
Sadohara
... 1988
... 1987
... 1987
Grandpa (voice)
... 1987
... 1987
Ōishi Kuranosuke
... 1987
... 1987
Isaburo Tamura
... 1987
Nakata
... 1987
... 1986
Keizo Hasegawa
... 1986
Panapora Chief Handa
... 1986
Yakuza boss
... 1986
... 1985
Kazumasa Tashiro
... 1985
... 1985
... 1985
... 1984
... 1984
... 1984
Ishikura
... 1984
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
... 1984
... 1984
... 1984
Yagyu Munefuyu
... 1984
... 1983
... 1983
... 1983
... 1983
Kochi Notable
... 1983
... 1983
Yamamoto
... 1983
... 1982
Kanetaka Okamura
... 1982
Hideki Tojo
... 1982
Uichi Suda, The Big Boss
... 1982
Sugibayashi
... 1981
Gozaburo Saito
... 1981
Jisaburo Ozawa
... 1981
Lord Yamato
... 1981
Muramasa
... 1981
... 1981
Dr. Nishiyama
... 1981
Tozawa Hakuunsai
... 1980
Akiji Nishikawa
... 1980
Gentaro Kodama
... 1980
... 1980
Tatsuo Akashi
... 1980
President Sakakibara
... 1980
Kato Kiyomasa
... 1979
... 1979
Okitsugu Tanuma
... 1979
... 1979
Yanagisawa
... 1978
General Wada
... 1978
... 1978
Army General Mikami
... 1978
Kichibei
... 1978
Lawyer Kikuchi
... 1978
Ernest Noguchi
... 1978
Ogasawara Gensinsai
... 1978
Iinuma
... 1977
Captain Munekata
... 1977
Colonel Kojima
... 1977
... 1977
Arashuk
... 1977
Nīto Kouken
... 1976
Captain Saito
... 1976
... 1976
Terrorist Leader (uncredited)
... 1976
... 1976
... 1976
... 1976
... 1975
... 1975
Captain Munekata
... 1975
Sunaga
... 1975
Prime Minister Yamato
... 1975
Lu Chun I
... 1975
... 1975
... 1974
Detective Eitaro Imanishi
... 1974
... 1974
Dr. Nishiyama
... 1974
Himself
... 1974
Nagumo
... 1974
Shimamura Kansai
... 1974
Prime Minister Yamamoto
... 1973
... 1973
... 1973
Tatsuo Akashi
... 1973
... 1973
Noboru Yamaguchi
... 1973
... 1973
... 1973
... 1973
... 1973
... 1972
Kagemetsuke
... 1972
... 1972
... 1972
... 1972
... 1972
Jade Unicorn, Lu Chun I
... 1972
Sergeant Katsuo Togashi
... 1972
Cristóvão Ferreira
... 1971
... 1971
... 1971
Genryu Asakura
... 1971
Chief Inspector
... 1971
Lieutenant General Isamu Cho
... 1971
... 1971
... 1970
Kuroki
... 1970
Soshun Kochiyama
... 1970
... 1970
... 1970
... 1969
Samurai
... 1969
... 1969
... 1969
... 1969
... 1969
Rokugo Tatewaki
... 1969
Kuroki
... 1968
Commander
... 1968
... 1968
... 1968
... 1968
... 1968
... 1968
Lieutenant Colonel Akiyama
... 1968
Tetsuji Kasai
... 1968
... 1967
... 1967
... 1967
... 1967
... 1967
Police Inspector Kitagawa
... 1967
Kotaro Takamura
... 1967
Tiger Tanaka
... 1967
... 1967
... 1967
... 1967
Sakai
... 1967
... 1967
J1 (TULIP Japan Branch Chief)
... 1966
... 1966
Shintani Kosaku
... 1966
... 1966
Lord Tsushima Yagyu
... 1966
Kosuke Aso
... 1966
... 1965
Yutaro Nomura
... 1965
... 1965
Sakon Takatani
... 1965
... 1965
... 1965
Tsumaki
... 1965
Mumyo Tsunataro
... 1965
Warrior (segment "Hoichi the Earless")
... 1965
... 1964
... 1964
... 1964
Shume Okuno
... 1964
... 1964
Ng
... 1964
... 1964
Hachiro Kiyokawa
... 1964
Lieutenant Aikawa
... 1964
Sakon Shiba
... 1964
... 1964
... 1964
... 1964
... 1964
Jakoman
... 1964
Gunjuro Ohba
... 1964
... 1964
Doi Ōkō Toshi
... 1963
... 1963
Gu Shimizu
... 1963
... 1963
... 1963
... 1963
Goro Kawamoto
... 1963
... 1963
... 1963
... 1963
... 1962
Kazuo Kasami
... 1962
... 1962
Toru Tezuka
... 1962
Goro Kawamoto
... 1962
... 1962
... 1962
Hikokuro Omodaka
... 1962
... 1962
Masao Igarashi
... 1962
... 1962
Mizuhara
... 1962
Takayama
... 1962
... 1962
... 1962
... 1962
... 1962
... 1961
Miyahara
... 1961
Jiro
... 1961
... 1961
... 1961
Yusuke Komiya
... 1961
Narumi
... 1961
... 1961
... 1961
... 1961
Slasher Tetsuji
... 1961
Sadamasa Ishikawa
... 1961
Tanabe
... 1960
Fumizo Mitsuki
... 1960
... 1960
... 1960
... 1959
... 1959
Senba
... 1959
... 1958
... 1958
... 1958
Keisuke Otori
... 1958
Ihei Ôsawa
... 1958
... 1957
Jinjûrô Ômura
... 1957
... 1957
Rear Admiral Shimamura
... 1957
Mondonoshô Hirano
... 1957
Aboshi Samajirô
... 1957
... 1956
Kurozumi Tenzen
... 1956
... 1956
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... 1956
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... 1956
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Morimoto
... 1955
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... 1954
... 1954
Captain Koda
... 1954