Tetsuro Tamba
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.
Acting
2005
Minamoto no Yorimasa (Gen-ji)
2003
Unknown
2003
Michitane Tendou
2003
Unknown
2002
Tozaemon Iguchi
2002
Sanada
2002
Tetsuji Tokura
2002
Granpa Jinpei Katakuri
2002
Tarozaemon Iguchi
2001
2001
Unknown
2000
Old Master
2000
Tetsuo Hatake
2000
Utaemon Baba
1999
Asu Shino
1999
Tajiro Kawakami
1999
1998
Landlord
1995
前田米吉
1995
Unknown
1991
Unknown
1991
Unknown
1991
Unknown
1991
Unknown
1991
Master Zhang
1991
1991
Time Patrol leader
1991
Denkichi Tsuzaki
1990
1990
Ryotaro Sakurazawa
1990
Tsuneiro Kamisaka
1990
Unknown
1990
Ohara Tetsutaro
1989
Kan'ami Kouou
1989
Kanaami Kohou
1989
Jinzaburi Shinzaki
1989
Unknown
1989
Takeo Sakanishi
1989
Hotta Masamori
1989
1988
Mr. Dota
1988
Sadohara
1987
1987
Unknown
1987
Isaburo Tamura
1987
Nakata
1986
Jinbo Kuranosuke
1986
Panapora Chief Handa
1986
Yakuza boss
1986
Takahara Masamichi
1986
Naruse Hayatonosho
1985
Unknown
1985
Kazumasa Tashiro
1985
Unknown
1985
Sanada Masayuki
1985
Unknown
1984
Unknown
1984
Ishikura
1984
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
1984
Unknown
1984
Unknown
1984
平田無二斎
1983
Unknown
1983
Kochi Notable
1983
1983
Yamamoto
1982
Vasaio
1982
Unknown
1982
Kanetaka Okamura
1982
Hideki Tojo
1982
Uichi Suda, The Big Boss
1982
Unknown
1981
Sugibayashi
1981
Jisaburo Ozawa
1981
Gozaburo Saito
1981
Lord Yamato
1981
Muramasa
1980
Tozawa Hakuunsai
1980
Akiji Nishikawa
1980
Gentaro Kodama
1980
1979
Kato Kiyomasa
1979
Okitsugu Tanuma
1979
Unknown
1978
Yanagisawa
1978
General Wada
1978
Army General Mikami
1978
Kichibei
1978
Lawyer Kikuchi
1978
Ernest Noguchi
1978
Ogasawara Gensinsai
1978
Imai Sōkyū
1977
Captain Munekata
1977
Colonel Kojima
1976
Nīto Kouken
1976
Unknown
1976
Terrorist Leader (uncredited)
1976
Unknown
1976
Unknown
1975
1975
Captain Munekata
1975
Sunaga
1975
Prime Minister Yamato
1975
Lu Chun I
1975
Unknown
1974
Kimitake Shugi
1974
Detective Eitaro Imanishi
1974
Unknown
1974
Dr. Nishiyama
1974
1974
Shimamura Kansai
1973
Prime Minister Yamamoto
1973
Unknown
1973
Tatsuo Akashi
1973
1973
1972
Kagemetsuke
1972
Unknown
1972
1972
Unknown
1972
Unknown
1972
Jade Unicorn, Lu Chun I
1972
Sergeant Katsuo Togashi
1971
Cristóvão Ferreira
1971
Genryu Asakura
1971
Chief Inspector
1971
Lieutenant General Isamu Cho
1970
1970
1970
Soshun Kochiyama
1970
1969
Unknown
1969
1969
Samurai
1969
1969
Rokugo Tatewaki
1968
Kuroki
1968
Commander
1968
黒木鉄也
1968
Unknown
1968
Lieutenant Colonel Akiyama
1967
1967
Unknown
1967
Unknown
1967
Kotaro Takamura
1967
Tiger Tanaka
1967
Unknown
1967
1966
Unknown
1966
Shintani Kosaku
1966
Lord Tsushima Yagyu
1966
Kosuke Aso
1965
Yutaro Nomura
1965
1965
Sakon Takatani
1965
Tsumaki
1965
Goro Kawamoto
1965
Mumyo Tsunataro
1965
Warrior (segment "Hoichi the Earless")
1964
Masagi Shohei
1964
Unknown
1964
Shume Okuno
1964
1964
Hachiro Kiyokawa
1964
Sakon Shiba
1964
Unknown
1964
Gunjuro Ohba
1964
1963
Doi Ōkō Toshi
1963
Unknown
1963
Unknown
1962
Kazuo Kasami
1962
Toru Tezuka
1962
Unknown
1962
Unknown
1962
Hikokuro Omodaka
1962
Unknown
1962
Mizuhara
1962
Unknown
1962
Unknown
1961
Unknown
1961
Miyahara
1961
1961
Yusuke Komiya
1961
Narumi
1961
Unknown
1961
Slasher Tetsuji
1961
Sadamasa Ishikawa
1960
Tanabe
1960
Unknown
1960
Unknown
1959
1958
Unknown
1958
Ihei Ôsawa
1957
Jinjûrô Ômura
1957
Rear Admiral Shimamura
1956
Unknown
1955
Morimoto
1955
1954
Unknown
Writing
Production
Infos
Tetsuro Tamba
Male
7/17/1922
9/24/2006
丹波 哲郎
Tetzuro Tamba
Tetsurô Tanba
Tetsuro Tambo
Tetsurô Tamba
Tetsurou Tanba