Tetsuro Tamba
Acting
- Born:
- 1922-07-17
- Died:
- 2006-09-24
- Place of birth:
- Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
Biography
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
Filmography
Teruo Ishii Fan Club
Demon Pond
Yoshitsune
Order Made ~Shiawase Iro no Shinshi Fuku Mise~
The Thousand Year Fire
Capone: Roppongi Renkin no Teio
Yumemiru Budo
Gozu
Yakuza Demon
A Case of Murder by the Atami Station Taxi Stand
T.R.Y.
Shura Group Part 2
The Twilight Samurai
Deadly Outlaw: Rekka
The Cat Returns
Graveyard of Honor
The Happiness of the Katakuris
Shura Group
Toshiie and Matsu
Shura Group Part 1
Ino Tadataka: Meridian Dreams
The Making Of The Katakuris
修羅のみち
Blind Beast vs Killer Dwarf
Sakuya: The Slayer of Demons
A Class to Remember IV: Fifteen
The Stupid Teacher
Japanese Hell
The Veteran Trio
Jubaku: Spellbound
Crayon Shin-chan: Explosion! The Hot Spring's Feel Good Final Battle
Screwed
The Peking Man
Kaseifu wa mita!
Fujisawa Shuhei's Sparkling Sword: Puppeteer in the Shadows
Hashiran ka!
Gokenin Zankuro
Tetsuro Tamba’s Great Spiritual World 3: Amazing Reincarnation Story That Ran Around the Whole
Coming Home
Psychic: Traveler to the Unknown
新幹線物語'93夏
Emperor of Upheaval
The Supernormal II
Hanshichi Torimonochō
Taira no Kiyomori
Minamoto Yoshitsune
The Tale of Genji
The Great Shogunate Battle
Yakuza Warfare
源氏九郎颯爽記 秘剣揚羽の蝶
Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky
The Hitman: Blood Smells Like Roses
Kim's War
Female Neo-Ninjas
Heat Wave
Yonimo Kimyou na Monogatari Tokubetsuhen
1750 Days of Turbulence
Be-In Bully High School
Under Aurora
The Great White Tower
13 Assassins
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World 2: I was surprised when I died!!
HOTEL
The Ginger Tree
Tokyo: The Last War
Four Days of Snow and Blood
The Political Game
Yakuza Ladies 3
長七郎江戸日記スペシャル 長七郎 大奥まかり通る
Shogun's Shadow
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World: What Happens When You Die
Tokugawa Ieyasu – TBS Warlord Special
Tokyo Pop
A Taxing Woman's Return
Tabaruzaka
There Goes Benio, the Smart Girl
Twilight of the Cockroaches
You're My Destiny
Ronin on a Mission
Shinran: Path to Purity
Night Train
Tokyo Blackout
Byakkotai
Be Free!
April Fish
Cabaret
Inochi
Tokugawa Chronicles: Ambition of the 3 Branches
Vendetta of Obligation
The Last True Yakuza
The Sound of the Waves
Sanada Taiheiki
Love: Starting on a Journey
Nezumi Kozō kaitō den
The Story of a Man Among Men
Life of St. Blue Eyes
Kōgen ni ressha ga hashitta
Fireflies in the North
Zero
Heaven Station
Kukai
水曜ドラマ 宮本武蔵
Choshichiro's Edo Diaries: The Yagyu Conspiracy
L・O・V・I・N・G
A Madcap Corporation
Lady Vengeance and the 47 Ronin
Masked Blade
The Tale of Saikaido
The Geisha
The Duel in the Forbidden Territory
Battle Anthem
The Brave Man Says Little
Samon’s Hell Revenge: Unauthorised Jutte Records 2 - The Assassination of the Shogun
Marco Polo
To Trap a Kidnapper
Suspicion
The Imperial Japanese Empire
The Villain from Edo Kochiyama Soshun
Onimasa: A Japanese Godfather
Matsudaira Ukon Jikencho
Call from Darkness
The Wild Daisy
The Imperial Navy
The Bushido Blade
Samurai Reincarnation
Flames of Blood
The Last Days of Planet Earth
Shogun's Ninja
Drive for the Future
Port Arthur
The Sand Boat
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga
The Way to The Gold Medals
The Shogun Assassins
Dead Angle
Hunter in the Dark
Nichiren
The Fall of Ako Castle
Never Give Up
Monument to Holy Service
August Without Emperor
Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron
The Incident
Message from Space
Shogun's Samurai: The Yagyu Clan Conspiracy
Ōgon no Hibi
Sugata Sanshiro
High Seas Hijack
Mount Hakkoda
Flickering Flames
The Alaska Story
Murderer!
Zero Pilot
The Corporation
Seven Nights in Japan
The Classroom of Terror
Human Revolution II
Operation Plazma in Osaka
Between Women and Wives
The International Gang of Kobe
Company Buggers
Conflagration
The Bullet Train
Tidal Wave
G-Men '75
All Men Are Brothers
A Picture of Madame Yuki
The Executioner II: Karate Inferno
The Castle of Sand
Karafuto 1945 Summer
Prophecies of Nostradamus
Secret Prophecies of Nostradamus
Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs
Violent Streets
Submersion of Japan
The Ando Gang Documentary Film
Wild Cop 2
Big Bad Wolf
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War
The Human Revolution
Japan's Top Gangster
Eyeful Daisakusen
The School Deviate Waru
Quarreling with Yakuza
Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight
Battles Without Honor and Humanity
Informal Dress
Shadow Hunters 2: Echo of Destiny
Yakuza Skirmishes
New Abashiri Prison Story: Honor and Humanity, Ammunition That Attracts the Storm
Shōwa Gokudōshi
Shadow Hunters
Organized Crime: Killer's Glory
The Water Margin
Under the Flag of the Rising Sun
Silence
The Armed Organization
Troops of Darkness
The Wolves
The Gambler's Counterattack
The Battle of Okinawa
King of Pornography
Men and War I: Prelude to Destiny
Postwar Secrets
Cherry Blossoms in the Air - The Suicide Raiders - Oh, Buddies!
The Scandalous Adventures of Buraikan
Crimson Bat - Oichi: Wanted, Dead or Alive
Rise and Fall of Chivalry
やくざ番外地 抹殺
Japan's Violent Gangs: The Boss and the Killers
The 5-Man Army
Thirteen Times a Loser
Red Peony Gambler: Biographies of a Gambling Room
Lone Rebel
The Private Police
Penitentiary Brothers
Sky Scraper!
Goyokin
Hot Vacation
Black Lizard
Snake Woman's Curse
The Young Eagles of the Kamikaze
The Bad Boss
Diamonds of the Andes
Key Hunter
Blackmail Is My Life
The Code of Man
Army Intelligence
Gambler's Farewell
The Return of the Filthy Seven
Game of Chance 3
Escape Man
King of the Gang
Hawk of the Harbour
Organized Violence II
Portrait of Chieko
You Only Live Twice
Once and For All
Gamblers: The Dragon Tattoo
Abashiri Prison: Duel in Hokkaido
Dissolution Rites
Organized Violence
Spycatcher J3: SOS Close Shave
Continental Drifter
The Kii River
Greatest Boss of the Showa Era
Sazen Tange and The Secret of the Urn
Thirst for Love
High-Ranking Yakuza
Blood of Revenge
Blood and Law
The Domain: Kanto Legends of Chivalry
Samurai Spy
The Gambler
Underworld Code
Abashiri Prison
Tokyo Untouchable
Tale of Ninja Duty
Kwaidan
Ninja Killers
Gamblers and Racketeers
Samurai from Somewhere
Detective
Revenge
Giant Rumble
The 7th Dawn
The Shogun's Vault
Assassination
Homicide
Three Outlaw Samurai
Tokyo Untouchables
An Outlaw
Destroyer Yukikaze
The Kingdom of Jirocho 3
Jakoman and Tetsu
Samurai from Nowhere
Tokyo Gang vs. Hong Kong Gang
13 Assassins
Tange Sazen
Gang Loyalty and Vengeance
Element of Surprise
Futari dake no toride
Ano hito wa ima
Tokyo Untouchable: Escape
Kizu-darake no futeki-sha
Gang vs. G-Men: Safe Breakers
Eleven Gangsters
Uragirimono wa jigoku daze
Operation Diamond
Umineko ga tonde
Gang vs. G-Men
Hell's Kitchen
A Flame at the Pier
Harakiri
Gang vs. Gang
Four Sisters
Zankokuna tsuki
G-Men in the Pacific
The Challenge
All Rascals
Tales of Young Genji Kuro 3
Black and Red Flower Petals
South Pacific Waves Are High
Structure of Hate
Greed in Broad Daylight
Bridge to the Sun
Standing Towards the Great Forest
The Yellow Climate
Mist and Shadows
Kill the Killer!
Red Flowers of Hell
機動捜査班
Kaachan
Pigs and Battleships
Daredevil in the Castle
Get 'em All
Showdown on Pier No.3
The Gambling Samurai
Zero sen no jorō gun
Female Slave Ship
Kingorō no kaigun taishô
No Police
Nude Woman and Murder Maze
The Pacific War and the International Military Tribunal
Kyōen Kobanzame
Bloody History of Soldiers
Underwater Murder
Quick on the Trigger
Emperor & Empress Meiji and the Sino-Japanese War
A Wicked Woman
Queen of Asia
Hibari's Triple Role: The Transformation of Yukinojo — Part II
Hibari's Triple Role: The Dazzling Transformation of Yukinojo
The Ghost of Kasane
剣聖 暁の三十六番斬り
Emperor Meiji and the Great Russo-Japanese War
Storming Osaka Castle: The Sanada Ten Braves
Mysterious Clouds: Legend of Satomi's Heroic Deed
Devil Princess’ Beauty Competition
The Ceiling at Utsunomiya
President Rai of Kingoro
Admiral Yamamoto and the Allied Fleets
The Prosecutor and His Sister
Kingoro's Soldier
Speed King
The Fencing Collegian
Kuronekokan ni Kieta Otoko
Hanamazu
The Vassal's Neck
Twilight Saloon
Mysterious Dwarf
The Sacrifice of the Human Torpedoes
日本敗れず
Submarine Ro Hasn't Surfaced
Hanran