Tetsuro Tamba
Born
July 17, 1922
Died
September 24, 2006 (84 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
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.
Known For
Teruo Ishii Fan Club
2006
Demon Pond
2005
Yoshitsune
Minamoto no Yorimasa (Gen-ji) · (49 episodes)
2005
Order Made ~Shiawase Iro no Shinshi Fuku Mise~
(5 episodes)
2004
The Thousand Year Fire
2004
Capone: Roppongi Renkin no Teio
2004
Yumemiru Budo
(11 episodes)
2003
Gozu
2003
Yakuza Demon
Michitane Tendou
2003
A Case of Murder by the Atami Station Taxi Stand
2003
T.R.Y.
2003
Shura Group Part 2
2002
Best Ever Bond
Tiger Tanaka (archive footage) (uncredited)
2002
Bond Girls Are Forever
Tiger Tanaka (archive footage) (uncredited)
2002
The Twilight Samurai
Tozaemon Iguchi
2002
Deadly Outlaw: Rekka
Sanada
2002
The Cat Returns
Cat King (voice)
2002
Graveyard of Honor
Tetsuji Tokura
2002
The Happiness of the Katakuris
Granpa Jinpei Katakuri
2002
Shura Group
2002
Toshiie and Matsu
Tarozaemon Iguchi · (49 episodes)
2002
Shura Group Part 1
2002
Ino Tadataka: Meridian dreams
2001
The Making Of The Katakuris
2001
Blind Beast vs Killer Dwarf
2001
Sakuya: The Slayer of Demons
Old Master
2000
A Class to Remember IV: Fifteen
Tetsuo Hatake
2000
The Stupid Teacher
Utaemon Baba
2000
Japanese Hell
Asu Shino
1999
The Veteran Trio
Inui Sanshiro · (9 episodes)
1999
Jubaku: Spellbound
Tajiro Kawakami
1999
Crayon Shin-chan: Explosion! The Hot Spring's Feel Good Final Battle
Tamba (voice)
1999
Screwed
Landlord
1998
The Peking Man
Osone
1997
Kaseifu wa mita!
(1 episode)
1997
Hashiran ka!
前田米吉 · (151 episodes)
1995
Gokenin Zankuro
(8 episodes)
1995
Tetsuro Tamba’s Great Spiritual World 3: Amazing Reincarnation Story That Ran Around the Whole
1994
Coming Home
Shirota Fukuzo · (12 episodes)
1994
Psychic: Traveler to the Unknown
1994
新幹線物語'93夏
黒木哲也 · (12 episodes)
1993
Emperor of Upheaval
1993
The Supernormal II
1993
Hanshichi Torimonochō
(2 episodes)
1992
Taira no Kiyomori
1992
Minamoto Yoshitsune
1991
The Tale of Genji
1991
The Great Shogunate Battle
1991
Yakuza Warfare
1991
源氏九郎颯爽記 秘剣揚羽の蝶
1991
Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky
Master Zhang
1991
The Hitman: Blood Smells Like Roses
1991
Kim's War
1991
Heat Wave
Denkichi Tsuzaki
1991
Female Neo-Ninjas
Time Patrol leader
1991
Yonimo Kimyou na Monogatari Tokubetsuhen
(5 episodes)
1990
1750 Days of Turbulence
1990
School Be-In Bully
Ryotaro Sakurazawa
1990
Aurora Borealis
Tsuneiro Kamisaka
1990
13 Assassins
1990
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World 2: I was surprised when I died!!
Ryo Okamoto
1990
HOTEL
Ohara Tetsutaro · (85 episodes)
1990
Tokyo: The Last War
Kanaami Kohou
1989
Four Days of Snow and Blood
Jinzaburi Shinzaki
1989
The Political Game
1989
Yakuza Ladies 3
Takeo Sakanishi
1989
長七郎江戸日記スペシャル 長七郎 大奥まかり通る
1989
Shogun's Shadow
Hotta Masamori
1989
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World: What Happens When You Die
吉野博士
1989
Tokugawa Ieyasu – TBS Warlord Special
1988
Tokyo Pop
Mr. Dota
1988
A Taxing Woman's Return
Sadohara
1988
Tabaruzaka
1987
There Goes Benio, the Smart Girl
1987
Twilight of the Cockroaches
Grandpa (voice)
1987
You're My Destiny
1987
Ronin on a Mission
Ōishi Kuranosuke
1987
Shinran: Path to Purity
1987
Night Train
Isaburo Tamura
1987
Tokyo Blackout
Nakata
1987
Byakkotai
Jinbo Kuranosuke · (2 episodes)
1986
The White Tiger Battalion
1986
Be Free!
Keizo Hasegawa
1986
April Fish
Panapora Chief Handa
1986
Cabaret
Yakuza boss
1986
Inochi
Takahara Masamichi · (50 episodes)
1986
Tokugawa Chronicles: Ambition of the 3 Branches
Naruse Hayatonosho · (13 episodes)
1986
Vendetta of Obligation
1985
The Last True Yakuza
Kazumasa Tashiro
1985
The Sound of the Waves
1985
Sanada Taiheiki
Sanada Masayuki · (45 episodes)
1985
Love: Starting on a Journey
1985
Nezumi Kozō kaitō den
1984
The Story of a Man Among Men
1984
Life of St. Blue Eyes
Takeyoshi Takagi · (1 episode)
1984
Kōgen ni ressha ga hashitta
1984
Fireflies in the North
Ishikura
1984
Zero
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
1984
Kukai
1984
水曜ドラマ 宮本武蔵
平田無二斎 · (45 episodes)
1984
Choshichiro's Edo Diaries: The Yagyu Conspiracy
Yagyu Munefuyu
1984
L・O・V・I・N・G
1983
A Madcap Corporation
1983
Lady Vengeance and the 47 Ronin
1983
Masked Blade
(118 episodes)
1983
The Tale of Saikaido
1983
The Geisha
Kochi Notable
1983
The Duel in the forbidden territory
1983
Battle Anthem
Yamamoto
1983
Samon’s Hell Revenge: Unauthorised Jutte Records 2 - The Assassination of the Shogun
1983
Marco Polo
Vasaio · (2 episodes)
1982
To Trap a Kidnapper
1982
Suspicion
Kanetaka Okamura
1982
The Imperial Japanese Empire
Hideki Tojo
1982
The Villain from Edo Kochiyama Soshun
1982
Onimasa: A Japanese Godfather
Uichi Suda, The Big Boss
1982
Matsudaira Ukon Jikencho
(73 episodes)
1982
Call from Darkness
Sugibayashi
1981
The Wild Daisy
Gozaburo Saito
1981
The Imperial Navy
Jisaburo Ozawa
1981
The Bushido Blade
Lord Yamato
1981
Samurai Reincarnation
Muramasa
1981
Flames of Blood
1981
The Last Days of Planet Earth
Dr. Nishiyama
1981
Shogun's Ninja
Tozawa Hakuunsai
1980
Drive for the Future
Akiji Nishikawa
1980
Port Arthur
Gentaro Kodama
1980
The Sand Boat
1980
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga
Tatsuo Akashi
1980
The Way to The Gold Medals
President Sakakibara
1980
The Shogun Assassins
Kato Kiyomasa
1979
Dead Angle
1979
Hunter in the Dark
Okitsugu Tanuma
1979
Nichiren
1979
The Fall of Ako Castle
Yanagisawa
1978
Never Give Up
General Wada
1978
Monument to Holy Service
1978
August without Emperor
Army General Mikami
1978
Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron
Kichibei
1978
The Incident
Lawyer Kikuchi
1978
Message from Space
Ernest Noguchi
1978
Shogun's Samurai
Ogasawara Gensinsai
1978
Ōgon no Hibi
Imai Sōkyū · (51 episodes)
1978
Sugata Sanshiro
Iinuma
1977
High Seas Hijack
Captain Munekata
1977
Mount Hakkoda
Colonel Kojima
1977
Flickering Flames
1977
The Alaska Story
Arashuk
1977
Murderer!
Nīto Kouken
1976
Zero Fighter
Captain Saito
1976
The Corporation
1976
Seven Nights in Japan
Terrorist Leader (uncredited)
1976
The Classroom of Terror
1976
Human Revolution II
1976
Operation Plazma in Osaka
1976
The International Gang of Kobe
Rinsei
1975
Company Buggers
1975
Conflagration
Captain Munekata
1975
The Bullet Train
Sunaga
1975
Tidal Wave
Prime Minister Yamato
1975
All Men Are Brothers
Lu Chun I
1975
雪夫人繪圖
1975
The Executioner II: Karate Inferno
Shugi
1974
The Castle of Sand
Detective Eitaro Imanishi
1974
Karafuto 1945 Summer
1974
Prophecies of Nostradamus
Dr. Nishiyama
1974
Secret Prophecies of Nostradamus
Himself
1974
Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs
Nagumo
1974
Violent Streets
Shimamura Kansai
1974
Submersion of Japan
Prime Minister Yamamoto
1973
The Ando Gang Documentary Film
1973
Wild Cop 2
1973
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War
Tatsuo Akashi
1973
The Human Revolution
1973
Japan's Top Gangster
Noboru Yamaguchi
1973
The School Deviate Waru
1973
Quarreling with Yakuza
1973
Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight
Shino
1973
Battles Without Honor and Humanity
1973
Informal Dress
1972
Shadow Hunters 2: Echo of Destiny
Kagemetsuke
1972
Yakuza Skirmishes
1972
New Abashiri Prison Story: Honor and Humanity, Ammunition That Attracts the Storm
1972
Shōwa Gokudōshi
1972
Shadow Hunters
1972
Organized Crime: Killer's Glory
1972
The Water Margin
Jade Unicorn, Lu Chun I
1972
Under the Flag of the Rising Sun
Sergeant Katsuo Togashi
1972
Silence
Cristóvão Ferreira
1971
The Armed Organization
1971
Troops of Darkness
1971
The Wolves
Genryu Asakura
1971
The Gambler's Counterattack
Chief Inspector
1971
The Battle of Okinawa
Lieutenant General Isamu Cho
1971
King of Pornography
1971
Men and War I: Prelude to Destiny
1970
Postwar Secrets
Kuroki
1970
Cherry Blossoms in the Air - The Suicide Raiders - Oh, Buddies!
1970
The Scandalous Adventures of Buraikan
Soshun Kochiyama
1970
Crimson Bat - Oichi: Wanted, Dead or Alive
Hyoe
1970
Rise and Fall of Chivalry
1970
やくざ番外地 抹殺
1969
Japan's Violent Gangs: The Boss and the Killers
1969
The 5-Man Army
Samurai
1969
Red Peony Gambler: Biographies of a Gambling Room
1969
Lone Rebel
1969
The Private Police
1969
Penitentiary Brothers
1969
Sky Scraper!
1969
Goyokin
Rokugo Tatewaki
1969
Black Lizard
Kuroki
1968
Snake Woman's Curse
Commander
1968
The Young Eagles of the Kamikaze
1968
The Bad Boss
1968
Diamonds of the Andes
1968
Blackmail Is My Life
1968
The Code of Man
1968
Army Intelligence
Lieutenant Colonel Akiyama
1968
Gambler's Farewell
Tetsuji Kasai
1968
The Return of the Filthy Seven
1967
Game of Chance 3
1967
King of the Gang
1967
Hawk of the Harbour
1967
Organized Violence II
Police Inspector Kitagawa
1967
Portrait of Chieko
Kotaro Takamura
1967
You Only Live Twice
Tiger Tanaka
1967
Once and For All
1967
Gamblers: The Dragon Tattoo
1967
Abashiri Prison: Duel in Hokkaido
1967
Dissolution Rites
Sakai
1967
Organized Violence
1967
Spycatcher J3: SOS Close Shave
J1 (TULIP Japan Branch Chief)
1966
Continental Drifter
1966
The Kii River
Shintani Kosaku
1966
Greatest Boss of the Showa Era
1966
Sazen Tange and The Secret of the Urn
Lord Tsushima Yagyu
1966
Thirst for Love
Kosuke Aso
1966
High-Ranking Yakuza
1965
Blood of Revenge
Yutaro Nomura
1965
Blood and Law
1965
The Domain: Kanto Legends of Chivalry
1965
Samurai Spy
Sakon Takatani
1965
The Gambler
1965
Ankoku gai jingi
1965
Abashiri Prison
Tsumaki
1965
Tale of Ninja Duty
Mumyo Tsunataro
1965
Kwaidan
Warrior (segment "Hoichi the Earless")
1965
Gamblers and Racketeers
1964
Samurai from Somewhere
1964
Detective
1964
Revenge
Shume Okuno
1964
Giant Rumble
1964
The 7th Dawn
Ng
1964
The Shogun's Vault
1964
Assassination
Hachiro Kiyokawa
1964
Homicide
Lieutenant Aikawa
1964
Three Outlaw Samurai
Sakon Shiba
1964
売春地下組織
1964
An Outlaw
1964
Destroyer Yukikaze
1964
The Kingdom of Jirocho 3
1964
Jakoman and Tetsu
Jakoman
1964
Samurai from Nowhere
Gunjuro Ohba
1964
Tokyo Gang vs. Hong Kong Gang
1964
13 Assassins
Doi Ōkō Toshi
1963
Tange Sazen
1963
Gang Loyalty and Vengeance
Gu Shimizu
1963
Element of Surprise
1963
Futari dake no toride
1963
Ano hito wa ima
1963
Tokyo Untouchable: Escape
Goro Kawamoto
1963
Kizu-darake no futeki-sha
1963
Gang and G-Men Part 2
手塚徹
1963
Eleven Gangsters
1963
Uragirimono wa jigoku daze
1962
Operation Diamond
Kazuo Kasami
1962
Umineko ga tonde
1962
Gang vs. G-Men
Toru Tezuka
1962
Tokyo Untouchable
Goro Kawamoto
1962
Hell's Kitchen
1962
A Flame at the Pier
1962
Harakiri
Hikokuro Omodaka
1962
Gang vs. Gang
1962
Four Sisters
Masao Igarashi
1962
Zankokuna tsuki
1962
G-Men in the Pacific
Mizuhara
1962
The Challenge
Takayama
1962
All Rascals
1962
Tales of Young Genji Kuro 3
1962
Kuro to aka no hanabira
1962
South Pacific Waves Are High
1962
Greed in Broad Daylight
Miyahara
1961
Bridge to the Sun
Jiro
1961
Standing Towards the Great Forest
1961
The Yellow Climate
1961
Mist and Shadows
Yusuke Komiya
1961
Red Flowers of Hell
1961
Kaachan
1961
Pigs and Battleships
Slasher Tetsuji
1961
Daredevil in the Castle
Sadamasa Ishikawa
1961
Get 'em All
Tanabe
1960
The Gambling Samurai
Fumizo Mitsuki
1960
Zero sen no jorō gun
1960
Female Slave Ship
1960
Kingorō no kaigun taishô
1959
Mukeisatsu
1959
Rajo to satsujin-meiro
Senba
1959
The Pacific War and the International Military Tribunal
1959
Kyōen Kobanzame
1958
Underwater Murder
1958
Quick on the Trigger
1958
Emperor & Empress Meiji and the Sino-Japanese War
Keisuke Otori
1958
A Wicked Woman
Ihei Ôsawa
1958
Queen of Asia
1957
Hibari no san'yaku: Zoku Kei tsuya yuki no jôhenge
1957
Hibari no san'yaku: Kei tsuya yuki no jôhenge
1957
The Ghost of Kasane
Jinjûrô Ômura
1957
剣聖 暁の三十六番斬り
1957
Emperor Meiji and the Great Russo-Japanese War
Rear Admiral Shimamura
1957
Storming Osaka Castle: The Sanada Ten Braves
Mondonoshô Hirano
1957
Mysterious Clouds: Legend of Satomi's Heroic Deed
Aboshi Samajirô
1957
Devil Princess’ Beauty Competition
1956
The Ceiling at Utsunomiya
Kurozumi Tenzen
1956
President Rai of Kingoro
1956
Admiral Yamamoto and the Allied Fleets
1956
The Prosecutor and His Sister
1956
Kingoro's Soldier
1956
Speed King
1956
The Fencing Collegian
1956
Kuronekokan ni Kieta Otoko
1956
花眞珠
1955
Twilight Saloon
Morimoto
1955
Mysterious Dwarf
1955
The Sacrifice of the Human Torpedoes
1955
日本敗れず
1954
Submarine Ro Hasn't Surfaced
1954
Hanran
Captain Koda
1954