Tetsuro Tamba
male

Born on July 17, 1922 (103 years old)
Passed Away on September 24, 2006
From Tokyo, Japan
Known for Acting
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.
Cast Credits
- 2006
- 2005
- 2004
- 2003
- 2002

Deadly Outlaw: Rekka
as
Sanada
2002

The Cat Returns
as
Cat King (voice)
2002

The Happiness of the Katakuris
as
Granpa Jinpei Katakuri
2002

Shura Group
2002
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Shura Group Part 1
2002

Shura Group Part 2
2002

Graveyard of Honor
as
Tetsuji Tokura
2002

The Twilight Samurai
as
Tozaemon Iguchi
2002

Toshiie and Matsu
as
Tarozaemon Iguchi
2002
- 2001
- 2000
- 1999
- 1998
- 1997
- 1995
- 1994
- 1993
- 1992
- 1991
- 1990
- 1989

長七郎江戸日記スペシャル 長七郎 大奥まかり通る
1989

The Political Game
1989

Shogun's Shadow
as
Hotta Masamori
1989

Yakuza Ladies 3
as
Takeo Sakanishi
1989

Four Days of Snow and Blood
as
Jinzaburi Shinzaki
1989

Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World: What Happens When You Die
as
吉野博士
1989

Tokyo: The Last War
as
Kanaami Kohou
1989

Tokyo: The Last War
as
Kan'ami Kouou
1989
- 1988
- 1987
- 1986
- 1985
- 1984

Kōgen ni ressha ga hashitta
1984

Zero
as
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
1984

Kukai
1984

Nezumi Kozō kaitō den
1984

Choshichiro's Edo Diaries: The Yagyu Conspiracy
as
Yagyu Munefuyu
1984

Fireflies in the North
as
Ishikura
1984

The Story of a Man Among Men
1984

Station to Heaven
1984

水曜ドラマ 宮本武蔵
as
平田無二斎
1984

Life of St. Blue Eyes
as
Takeyoshi Takagi
1984
- 1983
- no image
Samon’s Hell Revenge: Unauthorised Jutte Records 2 - The Assassination of the Shogun
1983

The Tale of Saikaido
1983

The Duel in the forbidden territory
1983

Battle Anthem
as
Yamamoto
1983

A Madcap Corporation
1983

The Geisha
as
Kochi Notable
1983

L・O・V・I・N・G
1983

Lady Vengeance and the 47 Ronin
1983

Masked Blade
1983
- 1982
- 1981
- 1980
- 1979
- 1978

Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron
as
Kichibei
1978

Monument to Holy Service
1978

Never Give Up
as
General Wada
1978

August without Emperor
as
Army General Mikami
1978

The Incident
as
Lawyer Kikuchi
1978

The Fall of Ako Castle
as
Yanagisawa
1978

Shogun's Samurai
as
Ogasawara Gensinsai
1978

Message from Space
as
Ernest Noguchi
1978

Ōgon no Hibi
as
Imai Sōkyū
1978
- 1977
- 1976
- 1975
- 1974
- 1973

The School Deviate Waru
1973

Submersion of Japan
as
Prime Minister Yamamoto
1973

Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight
as
Shino
1973

Battles Without Honor and Humanity
1973

Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War
as
Tatsuo Akashi
1973

Quarreling with Yakuza
1973

The Ando Gang Documentary Film
1973

Wild Cop 2
1973

Japan's Top Gangster
as
Noboru Yamaguchi
1973

The Human Revolution
1973
- 1972

The Water Margin
as
Jade Unicorn, Lu Chun I
1972

Under the Flag of the Rising Sun
as
Sergeant Katsuo Togashi
1972

Shadow Hunters 2: Echo of Destiny
as
Kagemetsuke
1972

Shadow Hunters
1972

Shōwa Gokudōshi
1972

Yakuza Skirmishes
1972

Informal Dress
1972

Organized Crime: Killer's Glory
1972

New Abashiri Prison Story: Honor and Humanity, Ammunition That Attracts the Storm
1972
- 1971
- 1970
- 1969
- 1968
- 1967

You Only Live Twice
as
Tiger Tanaka
1967

Hawk of the Harbour
1967

Gamblers: The Dragon Tattoo
1967

The Return of the Filthy Seven
1967

Organized Violence II
as
Police Inspector Kitagawa
1967

King of the Gang
1967

Dissolution Rites
as
Sakai
1967

Portrait of Chieko
as
Kotaro Takamura
1967

Once and For All
1967

Organized Violence
1967

Abashiri Prison: Duel in Hokkaido
1967

Game of Chance 3
1967

Escape Man
1967
- 1966
- 1965

Kwaidan
as
Warrior (segment "Hoichi the Earless")
1965

Tokyo Untouchable
as
Goro Kawamoto
1965

Samurai Spy
as
Sakon Takatani
1965

Ankoku gai jingi
1965

The Gambler
1965

Abashiri Prison
as
Tsumaki
1965

Blood of Revenge
as
Yutaro Nomura
1965

Blood and Law
1965

The Domain: Kanto Legends of Chivalry
1965

Tale of Ninja Duty
as
Mumyo Tsunataro
1965

High-Ranking Yakuza
1965
- 1964

Tokyo Gang vs. Hong Kong Gang
1964

Revenge
as
Shume Okuno
1964

The 7th Dawn
as
Ng
1964

Three Outlaw Samurai
as
Sakon Shiba
1964

Assassination
as
Hachiro Kiyokawa
1964

Detective
1964

Homicide
as
Lieutenant Aikawa
1964

The Kingdom of Jirocho 3
1964

An Outlaw
1964

The Shogun's Vault
1964

Samurai from Somewhere
1964

Samurai from Nowhere
as
Gunjuro Ohba
1964

Jakoman and Tetsu
as
Jakoman
1964

Destroyer Yukikaze
1964

Giant Rumble
1964

Gamblers and Racketeers
1964

売春地下組織
1964
- 1963
- 1962

Operation Diamond
as
Kazuo Kasami
1962

South Pacific Waves Are High
1962

Umineko ga tonde
1962

Zankokuna tsuki
1962

Uragirimono wa jigoku daze
1962

The Challenge
as
Takayama
1962

G-Men in the Pacific
as
Mizuhara
1962

All Rascals
1962
- no image
Kuro to aka no hanabira
1962

A Flame at the Pier
1962

Harakiri
as
Hikokuro Omodaka
1962

Gang vs. Gang
1962

Four Sisters
as
Masao Igarashi
1962

Tales of Young Genji Kuro 3
1962

Gang vs. G-Men
as
Toru Tezuka
1962

Hell's Kitchen
1962
- 1961

Pigs and Battleships
as
Slasher Tetsuji
1961

Bridge to the Sun
as
Jiro
1961

Standing Towards the Great Forest
1961

Red Flowers of Hell
1961

Daredevil in the Castle
as
Sadamasa Ishikawa
1961
- no image
Kaachan
1961

Greed in Broad Daylight
as
Miyahara
1961

The Yellow Climate
1961

Mist and Shadows
as
Yusuke Komiya
1961

Structure of Hate
1961

機動捜査班
1961

Kill the Killer!
as
Narumi
1961
- 1960
- 1959
- 1958
- 1957

Hibari no san'yaku: Kei tsuya yuki no jôhenge
1957

Hibari no san'yaku: Zoku Kei tsuya yuki no jôhenge
1957

Mysterious Clouds: Legend of Satomi's Heroic Deed
as
Aboshi Samajirô
1957

剣聖 暁の三十六番斬り
1957

Emperor Meiji and the Great Russo-Japanese War
as
Rear Admiral Shimamura
1957

Queen of Asia
1957

The Ghost of Kasane
as
Jinjûrô Ômura
1957

Storming Osaka Castle: The Sanada Ten Braves
as
Mondonoshô Hirano
1957
- 1956

Devil Princess’ Beauty Competition
1956

Kuronekokan ni Kieta Otoko
1956
- no image
President Rai of Kingoro
1956
- no image
The Fencing Collegian
1956
- no image
Kingoro's Soldier
1956

The Ceiling at Utsunomiya
as
Kurozumi Tenzen
1956
- no image
Speed King
1956

The Prosecutor and His Sister
1956

Admiral Yamamoto and the Allied Fleets
1956
- 1955
- 1954
Crew Credits
- 1994
- 1990
- 1989
- 1988
- 1980
- 1964


















































































































































































