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Tetsuro Tamba
Born · July 17, 1922
Died · September 24, 2006 (84 years old)
Known For: Acting
Place of Birth: Tokyo, Japan
Bio
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.
The Exotic Locations of 'You Only Live Twice'
Tiger Tanaka (archive footage)
6.0
2006
Teruo Ishii Fan Club
0.0
2006
Demon Pond
6.2
2005
Yoshitsune
Minamoto no Yorimasa (Gen-ji) · (49 episodes)
8.5
2005
Order Made ~Shiawase Iro no Shinshi Fuku Mise~
(5 episodes)
0.0
2004
The Thousand Year Fire
0.0
2004
Capone: Roppongi Renkin no Teio
0.0
2004
Yumemiru Budo
(11 episodes)
0.0
2003
Gozu
6.8
2003
Yakuza Demon
Michitane Tendou
6.0
2003
A Case of Murder by the Atami Station Taxi Stand
0.0
2003
T.R.Y.
7.0
2003
Shura Group Part 2
0.0
2002
Best Ever Bond
Tiger Tanaka (archive footage) (uncredited)
5.0
2002
Bond Girls Are Forever
Tiger Tanaka (archive footage) (uncredited)
5.8
2002
The Twilight Samurai
Tozaemon Iguchi
7.8
2002
Deadly Outlaw: Rekka
Sanada
6.7
2002
The Cat Returns
Cat King (voice)
7.1
2002
Graveyard of Honor
Tetsuji Tokura
6.2
2002
The Happiness of the Katakuris
Granpa Jinpei Katakuri
6.9
2002
Shura Group
0.0
2002
Toshiie and Matsu
Tarozaemon Iguchi · (49 episodes)
8.0
2002
Shura Group Part 1
0.0
2002
Ino Tadataka: Meridian dreams
0.0
2001
The Making Of The Katakuris
6.0
2001
Blind Beast vs Dwarf Killer
3.5
2001
Sakuya: The Slayer of Demons
Old Master
6.1
2000
A Class to Remember IV: Fifteen
Tetsuo Hatake
9.0
2000
The Stupid Teacher
Utaemon Baba
0.0
2000
Japanese Hell
Asu Shino
4.2
1999
The Veteran Trio
Inui Sanshiro · (9 episodes)
0.0
1999
Jubaku: Spellbound
Tajiro Kawakami
6.0
1999
Crayon Shin-chan: Explosion! The Hot Spring's Feel Good Final Battle
Tamba (voice)
6.7
1999
Screwed
Landlord
4.9
1998
The Peking Man
Osone
3.0
1997
Kaseifu wa mita!
(1 episode)
0.0
1997
Hashiran ka!
前田米吉 · (151 episodes)
0.0
1995
Gokenin Zankuro
(8 episodes)
8.0
1995
Tetsuro Tamba’s Great Spiritual World 3: Amazing Reincarnation Story That Ran Around the Whole
0.0
1994
Coming Home
Shirota Fukuzo · (12 episodes)
0.0
1994
Psychic: Traveler to the Unknown
0.0
1994
新幹線物語'93夏
黒木哲也 · (12 episodes)
0.0
1993
The Supernormal II
4.0
1993
Hanshichi Torimonochō
(2 episodes)
0.0
1992
Taira no Kiyomori
0.0
1992
Minamoto Yoshitsune
5.0
1991
The Tale of Genji
0.0
1991
The Great Shogunate Battle
5.7
1991
Yakuza Warfare
6.0
1991
Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky
Master Zhang
6.8
1991
The Hitman Blood Smells Like Roses
5.2
1991
Kim's War
0.0
1991
Heat Wave
Denkichi Tsuzaki
5.8
1991
Female Neo-Ninjas
Time Patrol leader
4.0
1991
Yonimo Kimyou na Monogatari Tokubetsuhen
(5 episodes)
9.5
1990
1750 Days of Turbulence
8.5
1990
School Be-In Bully
Ryotaro Sakurazawa
0.0
1990
Aurora Borealis
Tsuneiro Kamisaka
4.1
1990
13 Assassins
7.0
1990
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World 2: I was surprised when I died!!
Ryo Okamoto
0.0
1990
HOTEL
Ohara Tetsutaro · (85 episodes)
0.0
1990
Tokyo: The Last War
7.2
1989
Four Days of Snow and Blood
Jinzaburi Shinzaki
6.9
1989
The Political Game
0.0
1989
Yakuza Ladies 3
Takeo Sakanishi
0.0
1989
長七郎江戸日記スペシャル 長七郎 大奥まかり通る
0.0
1989
Shogun's Shadow
Hotta Masamori
6.8
1989
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World: What Happens When You Die
吉野博士
0.0
1989
Tokugawa Ieyasu – TBS Warlord Special
0.0
1988
Tokyo Pop
Mr. Dota
7.4
1988
A Taxing Woman's Return
Sadohara
6.3
1988
Tabaruzaka
0.0
1987
There Goes Benio, the Smart Girl
6.0
1987
Twilight of the Cockroaches
Grandpa (voice)
6.1
1987
You're My Destiny
6.0
1987
Ronin on a Mission
Ōishi Kuranosuke
0.0
1987
Shinran: Path to Purity
5.0
1987
Night Train
Isaburo Tamura
1.0
1987
Tokyo Blackout
Nakata
5.0
1987
Byakkotai
Jinbo Kuranosuke · (2 episodes)
0.0
1986
The White Tiger Battalion
0.0
1986
Be Free!
Keizo Hasegawa
0.0
1986
April Fish
Panapora Chief Handa
5.5
1986
Cabaret
Yakuza boss
4.7
1986
Inochi
Takahara Masamichi · (50 episodes)
0.0
1986
Tokugawa Chronicles: Ambition of the 3 Branches
Naruse Hayatonosho · (13 episodes)
0.0
1986
Vendetta of Obligation
0.0
1985
The Last True Yakuza
Kazumasa Tashiro
4.8
1985
The Sound of the Waves
0.0
1985
Sanada Taiheiki
Sanada Masayuki · (45 episodes)
8.0
1985
Love: Starting on a Journey
2.5
1985
Nezumi Kozō kaitō den
0.0
1984
The Story of a Man Among Men
6.0
1984
Kōgen ni ressha ga hashitta
0.0
1984
Fireflies in the North
Ishikura
5.3
1984
Zero
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
4.2
1984
Kukai
9.0
1984
水曜ドラマ 宮本武蔵
平田無二斎 · (45 episodes)
0.0
1984
Choshichiro's Edo Diaries: The Yagyu Conspiracy
Yagyu Munefuyu
0.0
1984
L・O・V・I・N・G
0.0
1983
A Madcap Corporation
0.0
1983
Lady Vengeance and the 47 Ronin
0.0
1983
The Tale of Saikaido
0.0
1983
The Geisha
Kochi Notable
6.4
1983
The Duel in the forbidden territory
0.0
1983
Samon’s Hell Revenge: Unauthorised Jutte Records 2 - The Assassination of the Shogun
0.0
1983
Battle Anthem
Yamamoto
7.0
1983
Marco Polo
Vasaio · (2 episodes)
6.8
1982
To Trap a Kidnapper
6.0
1982
Suspicion
Kanetaka Okamura
6.7
1982
The Imperial Japanese Empire
Hideki Tojo
5.5
1982
The Villain from Edo Kochiyama Soshun
0.0
1982
Onimasa: A Japanese Godfather
Uichi Suda, The Big Boss
6.3
1982
Matsudaira Ukon Jikencho
(73 episodes)
0.0
1982
Call from Darkness
Sugibayashi
5.7
1981
The Wild Daisy
Gozaburo Saito
6.0
1981
The Imperial Navy
Jisaburo Ozawa
6.6
1981
The Bushido Blade
Lord Yamato
5.4
1981
Samurai Reincarnation
Muramasa
5.9
1981
Flames of Blood
7.0
1981
Shogun's Ninja
Tozawa Hakuunsai
6.1
1980
Drive for the Future
Akiji Nishikawa
0.0
1980
Port Arthur
Gentaro Kodama
7.6
1980
The Sand Boat
0.0
1980
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga
Tatsuo Akashi
6.7
1980
The Way to The Gold Medals
President Sakakibara
0.0
1980
The Shogun Assassins
Kato Kiyomasa
5.0
1979
Dead Angle
7.0
1979
Hunter in the Dark
Okitsugu Tanuma
6.5
1979
Nichiren
0.0
1979
The Fall of Ako Castle
Yanagisawa
6.6
1978
Never Give Up
General Wada
5.7
1978
Monument to Holy Service
0.0
1978
August without Emperor
Army General Mikami
7.0
1978
Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron
Kichibei
6.2
1978
The Incident
Lawyer Kikuchi
6.3
1978
Message from Space
Ernest Noguchi
5.8
1978
Shogun's Samurai
Ogasawara Gensinsai
7.1
1978
Ōgon no Hibi
Imai Sōkyū · (51 episodes)
0.0
1978
Sugata Sanshiro
Iinuma
0.0
1977
High Seas Hijack
Captain Munekata
10.0
1977
Mount Hakkoda
Colonel Kojima
6.8
1977
Flickering Flames
10.0
1977
The Alaska Story
Arashuk
6.0
1977
Murderer!
Nīto Kouken
7.0
1976
Zero Fighter
Captain Saito
4.2
1976
The Corporation
1.0
1976
Seven Nights in Japan
Terrorist Leader (uncredited)
6.5
1976
The Classroom of Terror
6.0
1976
Human Revolution II
0.0
1976
Operation Plazma in Osaka
6.5
1976
The International Gang of Kobe
Rinsei
5.7
1975
Company Buggers
7.0
1975
Conflagration
Captain Munekata
4.0
1975
The Bullet Train
Sunaga
6.7
1975
All Men Are Brothers
Lu Chun I
6.8
1975
雪夫人繪圖
0.0
1975
The Executioner II: Karate Inferno
Shugi
5.5
1974
The Castle of Sand
Detective Eitaro Imanishi
7.3
1974
Karafuto 1945 Summer
8.5
1974
Prophecies of Nostradamus
Dr. Nishiyama
5.7
1974
Secret Prophecies of Nostradamus
Himself
0.0
1974
Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs
Nagumo
6.4
1974
Violent Streets
Shimamura Kansai
6.5
1974
Submersion of Japan
Prime Minister Yamamoto
6.7
1973
The Ando Gang Documentary Film
6.0
1973
Wild Cop 2
6.5
1973
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War
Tatsuo Akashi
7.2
1973
The Human Revolution
0.0
1973
Japan's Top Gangster
Noboru Yamaguchi
0.0
1973
The School Deviate Waru
0.0
1973
Quarreling with Yakuza
5.0
1973
Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight
Shino
6.6
1973
Battles Without Honor and Humanity
7.4
1973
Informal Dress
0.0
1972
Shadow Hunters 2: Echo of Destiny
Kagemetsuke
7.0
1972
Yakuza Skirmishes
0.0
1972
New Abashiri Prison Story: Honor and Humanity, Ammunition That Attracts the Storm
0.0
1972
Shōwa Gokudōshi
0.0
1972
Shadow Hunters
6.5
1972
Organized Crime: Killer's Glory
0.0
1972
The Water Margin
Jade Unicorn, Lu Chun I
6.5
1972
Under the Flag of the Rising Sun
Sergeant Katsuo Togashi
7.5
1972
Silence
Cristóvão Ferreira
7.2
1971
The Armed Organization
8.0
1971
Troops of Darkness
6.0
1971
The Wolves
Genryu Asakura
7.4
1971
The Gambler's Counterattack
Chief Inspector
7.0
1971
The Battle of Okinawa
Lieutenant General Isamu Cho
7.5
1971
King of Pornography
5.9
1971
Men and War I: Prelude to Destiny
6.6
1970
Postwar Secrets
Kuroki
10.0
1970
Cherry Blossoms in the Air - The Suicide Raiders - Oh, Buddies!
0.0
1970
The Scandalous Adventures of Buraikan
Soshun Kochiyama
6.8
1970
Crimson Bat - Oichi: Wanted, Dead or Alive
Hyoe
7.3
1970
Rise and Fall of Chivalry
6.5
1970
Japan's Violent Gangs: The Boss and the Killers
0.0
1969
The 5-Man Army
Samurai
6.5
1969
Red Peony Gambler: Biographies of a Gambling Room
5.9
1969
Lone Rebel
0.0
1969
The Private Police
7.0
1969
Penitentiary Brothers
0.0
1969
Sky Scraper!
0.0
1969
Goyokin
Rokugo Tatewaki
7.5
1969
Black Lizard
Kuroki
6.7
1968
Snake Woman's Curse
Commander
6.1
1968
The Young Eagles of the Kamikaze
6.0
1968
The Bad Boss
0.0
1968
Blackmail Is My Life
6.4
1968
The Code of Man
0.0
1968
Army Intelligence
Lieutenant Colonel Akiyama
0.0
1968
Gambler's Farewell
Tetsuji Kasai
6.0
1968
The Return of the Filthy Seven
0.0
1967
Game of Chance 3
6.0
1967
King of the Gang
0.0
1967
Hawk of the Harbour
0.0
1967
Organized Violence II
Police Inspector Kitagawa
6.0
1967
Portrait of Chieko
Kotaro Takamura
0.0
1967
You Only Live Twice
Tiger Tanaka
6.6
1967
Once and For All
0.0
1967
Gamblers: The Dragon Tattoo
0.0
1967
Abashiri Prison: Duel in Hokkaido
0.0
1967
Dissolution Rites
Sakai
6.0
1967
Organized Violence
6.0
1967
Spycatcher J3: SOS Close Shave
J1 (TULIP Japan Branch Chief)
6.0
1966
Tokyo Drifters
0.0
1966
The Kii River
Shintani Kosaku
8.0
1966
Greatest Boss of the Showa Era
0.0
1966
Sazen Tange and The Secret of the Urn
Lord Tsushima Yagyu
6.6
1966
Thirst for Love
Kosuke Aso
5.5
1966
High-Ranking Yakuza
0.0
1965
Blood of Revenge
Yutaro Nomura
6.6
1965
Blood and Law
0.0
1965
The Domain: Kanto Legends of Chivalry
6.0
1965
Samurai Spy
Sakon Takatani
6.6
1965
The Gambler
0.0
1965
Ankoku gai jingi
0.0
1965
Abashiri Prison
Tsumaki
7.0
1965
Tale of Ninja Duty
Mumyo Tsunataro
1.0
1965
Kwaidan
Warrior (segment "Hoichi the Earless")
7.7
1965
Gamblers and Racketeers
0.0
1964
Samurai from Somewhere
7.0
1964
Detective
0.0
1964
Revenge
Shume Okuno
7.5
1964
The Great Duel
6.0
1964
The 7th Dawn
Ng
6.4
1964
The Shogun's Vault
6.5
1964
Assassination
Hachiro Kiyokawa
7.1
1964
Homicide
Lieutenant Aikawa
0.0
1964
Samurai from Nowhere
Gunjuro Ohba
7.1
1964
Three Outlaw Samurai
Sakon Shiba
7.5
1964
An Outlaw
4.8
1964
Destroyer Yukikaze
0.0
1964
The Kingdom of Jirocho 3
0.0
1964
Jakoman and Tetsu
Jakoman
6.0
1964
Tokyo Gang Vs. Hong Kong Gang
0.0
1964
13 Assassins
Doi Ōkō Toshi
7.5
1963
Tange Sazen
0.0
1963
Gang Loyalty and Vengeance
Gu Shimizu
5.0
1963
Element of Surprise
0.0
1963
Futari dake no toride
0.0
1963
Tokyo Untouchable: Escape
Goro Kawamoto
0.0
1963
Kizu-darake no futeki-sha
0.0
1963
Gang and G-Men Part 2
手塚徹
0.0
1963
Eleven Gangsters
0.0
1963
Uragirimono wa jigoku daze
0.0
1962
Operation Diamond
Kazuo Kasami
0.0
1962
Umineko ga tonde
0.0
1962
Gang vs. G-Men
Toru Tezuka
6.0
1962
Tokyo Untouchable
Goro Kawamoto
0.0
1962
Hell's Kitchen
0.0
1962
A Flame at the Pier
6.0
1962
Harakiri
Hikokuro Omodaka
8.4
1962
Gang vs. Gang
7.0
1962
Four Sisters
Masao Igarashi
6.0
1962
Zankokuna tsuki
0.0
1962
G-Men in the Pacific
Mizuhara
6.0
1962
The Challenge
Takayama
7.0
1962
All Rascals
0.0
1962
Tales of Young Genji Kuro 3
7.2
1962
Kuro to aka no hanabira
0.0
1962
South Pacific Waves Are High
0.0
1962
Greed in Broad Daylight
Miyahara
7.0
1961
Bridge to the Sun
Jiro
6.8
1961
Dai shinrin ni mukatte tatsu
0.0
1961
The Yellow Climate
0.0
1961
Mist and Shadows
Yusuke Komiya
0.0
1961
Red Flowers of Hell
0.0
1961
Kaachan
0.0
1961
Pigs and Battleships
Slasher Tetsuji
7.1
1961
Daredevil in the Castle
Sadamasa Ishikawa
7.4
1961
Get 'em All
Tanabe
6.0
1960
The Gambling Samurai
Fumizo Mitsuki
6.3
1960
Zero sen no jorō gun
0.0
1960
Female Slave Ship
6.0
1960
Kingorō no kaigun taishô
0.0
1959
Mukeisatsu
0.0
1959
Rajo to satsujin-meiro
Senba
0.0
1959
The Pacific War and the International Military Tribunal
0.0
1959
Kyōen Kobanzame
0.0
1958
Underwater Murder
0.0
1958
Quick on the Trigger
8.0
1958
Emperor & Empress Meiji and the Sino-Japanese War
Keisuke Otori
0.0
1958
A Wicked Woman
Ihei Ôsawa
6.5
1958
Queen of Asia
6.0
1957
Hibari no san'yaku: Zoku Kei tsuya yuki no jôhenge
0.0
1957
Hibari no san'yaku: Kei tsuya yuki no jôhenge
0.0
1957
The Ghost of Kasane
Jinjûrô Ômura
6.7
1957
剣聖 暁の三十六番斬り
0.0
1957
Emperor Meiji and the Great Russo-Japanese War
Rear Admiral Shimamura
0.0
1957
Mysterious Clouds: Legend of Satomi's Heroic Deed
Aboshi Samajirô
0.0
1957
鬼姫競艶録
0.0
1956
The Ceiling at Utsunomiya
Kurozumi Tenzen
5.8
1956
金語楼の雷社長
0.0
1956
Admiral Yamamoto and the Allied Fleets
5.0
1956
The Prosecutor and His Sister
0.0
1956
Kingoro's Soldier
0.0
1956
Speed King
0.0
1956
The Fencing Collegian
0.0
1956
Kuronekokan ni Kieta Otoko
0.0
1956
花眞珠
0.0
1955
Twilight Saloon
Morimoto
8.0
1955
Mysterious Pygmy
0.0
1955
The Sacrifice of the Human Torpedoes
0.0
1955
Submarine Ro Hasn't Surfaced
0.0
1954
Hanran
Captain Koda
0.0
1954