Birth Day: 1922-07-17
Place of birth: Shinjuku, 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.
Credits
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As Michitane Tendou -
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As Tetsuji Tokura -
As Cat King (voice) -
As Sanada -
As Tozaemon Iguchi -
As Granpa Jinpei Katakuri -
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As Old Master -
As Tetsuo Hatake -
As Utaemon Baba -
As Tajiro Kawakami -
As Asu Shino -
As Tamba (voice) -
As Landlord -
As Osone -
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As Denkichi Tsuzaki -
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As Master Zhang -
As Time Patrol leader -
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As Ryotaro Sakurazawa -
As Ryo Okamoto -
As Tsuneiro Kamisaka -
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As Kan'ami Kouou -
As Hotta Masamori -
As 吉野博士 -
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As Takeo Sakanishi -
As Kanaami Kohou
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As Jinzaburi Shinzaki -
As Sadohara -
As Mr. Dota -
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As Isaburo Tamura -
As Ōishi Kuranosuke -
As Nakata -
As Grandpa (voice) -
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As Keizo Hasegawa
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As Panapora Chief Handa -
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As Yakuza boss -
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As Kazumasa Tashiro -
As Yagyu Munefuyu -
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As Ishikura -
As Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto -
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As Kochi Notable -
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As Yoshiteru Suma (Suma-gumi Boss) -
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As Yamamoto -
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As Hideki Tojo -
As Kanetaka Okamura -
As Uichi Suda, The Big Boss -
As Gozaburo Saito -
As Lord Yamato -
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As Dr. Nishiyama -
As Sugibayashi -
As Muramasa -
As Jisaburo Ozawa -
As Tozawa Hakuunsai -
As Gentaro Kodama -
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As Tatsuo Akashi -
As Akiji Nishikawa -
As President Sakakibara -
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As Okitsugu Tanuma -
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As Kato Kiyomasa -
As Yanagisawa -
As Kichibei -
As Army General Mikami -
As Lawyer Kikuchi -
As Ogasawara Gensinsai -
As General Wada -
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As Ernest Noguchi -
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As Captain Munekata -
As Colonel Kojima -
As Arashuk -
As Iinuma -
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As Captain Saito -
As Terrorist Leader (uncredited) -
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As Nīto Kouken -
As Prime Minister Yamato -
As Lu Chun I -
As Captain Munekata -
As Rinsei -
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As Sunaga -
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As Detective Eitaro Imanishi -
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As Dr. Nishiyama -
As Shimamura Kansai -
As Nagumo -
As Kimitake Shugi / Moroki -
As Himself
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As Tatsuo Akashi -
As Prime Minister Yamamoto -
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As Noboru Yamaguchi -
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As Shino -
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As Sergeant Katsuo Togashi -
As Kagemetsuke -
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As Jade Unicorn, Lu Chun I -
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As Cristóvão Ferreira -
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As Genryu Asakura -
As Chief Inspector -
As Lieutenant General Isamu Cho -
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As Soshun Kochiyama -
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As Kuroki -
As Hyoe -
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As Rokugo Tatewaki -
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As Samurai -
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As Kuroki -
As Lieutenant Colonel Akiyama -
As Commander -
As Tetsuji Kasai -
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As Kotaro Takamura -
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As Sakai -
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As Tiger Tanaka -
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As Police Inspector Kitagawa -
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As J1 (TULIP Japan Branch Chief) -
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As Lord Tsushima Yagyu -
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As Kosuke Aso -
As Shintani Kosaku -
As Tsumaki -
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As Yutaro Nomura -
As Warrior (segment "Hoichi the Earless") -
As Goro Kawamoto -
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As Sakon Takatani -
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As Mumyo Tsunataro -
As Sakon Shiba -
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As Hachiro Kiyokawa -
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As Gunjuro Ohba -
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As Lieutenant Aikawa -
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As Shume Okuno -
As Ng -
As Masagi Shohei -
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As Jakoman -
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As 手塚徹 -
As Doi Ōkō Toshi -
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As Goro Kawamoto -
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As Gu Shimizu -
As Hikokuro Omodaka -
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As Toru Tezuka -
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As Masao Igarashi -
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As Kazuo Kasami -
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As Mizuhara -
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As Takayama -
As Slasher Tetsuji -
As Jiro -
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As Miyahara -
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As Yusuke Komiya -
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As Narumi -
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As Sadamasa Ishikawa -
As Fumizo Mitsuki -
As Kirishima -
As Tanabe -
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As Senba
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As Keisuke Otori -
As Shumei Okawa -
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As Ihei Ôsawa -
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As Jinjûrô Ômura -
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As Aboshi Samajirô -
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As Mondonoshô Hirano -
As Rear Admiral Shimamura -
As Kurozumi Tenzen -
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As Morimoto -
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As Captain Koda