Kunie Tanaka | |
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| Born | (1932-11-23)November 23, 1932 |
| Died | March 24, 2021(2021-03-24) (aged 88) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1955–2021 |
Kunie Tanaka (Japanese:田中 邦衛,Hepburn:Tanaka Kunie, November 23, 1932 – March 24, 2021[1]) was a Japanese actor. Tanaka first made a name for himself as the lecherous antagonist of theWakadaishō series (1961–1981) of films.[2] He is also well-known for his roles inKinji Fukasaku's yakuza films, namely theBattles Without Honor and Humanity series (1973–1974), and for starring in theKita no Kuni Kara (1981–2002) television series.[2][3]
Tanaka was nominated for fiveJapanese Academy Awards, winningBest Supporting Actor forGakko in 1993.[4] He also won theBlue Ribbon Award for Best Supporting Actor forNogare no Machi andIzakaya Chōji in 1983, and theBlue Ribbon Award for Best Actor forUhohho Tankentai in 1986.[3] For his contributions to the arts, the Japanese government decorated Tanaka with theMedal with Purple Ribbon in 1999 and theOrder of the Rising Sun in 2006.
Tanaka was born on November 23, 1932, inToki District, Gifu to a family ofMino ware potters.[2] After graduating from Reitaku Junior College, he became a substitute teacher in Gifu.[2] However, he gave up the job to become an actor for theHaiyuza Theatre Company.[3]
In 1957, Tanaka had his first film role inTadashi Imai'sJun'ai Monogatari.[3] His first notable role was as a thug inAkira Kurosawa'sThe Bad Sleep Well (1960), and he would later work with the director again onSanjuro (1962) andDodes'ka-den (1970). He established himself as an actor with the role of lecherous antagonist Shinjiro Ishiyama, nicknamed "Aodaishō", in 1961'sDaigaku no Wakadaishō. It spawned the 17-filmWakadaishō series (1961–1981), and he reprised the role for each installment.[2] Tanaka also appeared inMasaki Kobayashi'sKwaidan (1964), and portrayedDaisuke Jigen inLupin III: Strange Psychokinetic Strategy (1974). He is also known for playing Masakichi Makihara inKinji Fukasaku'sBattles Without Honor and Humanity series (1973–1974) of yakuza films.[2]
Tanaka is well-known for starring as Goro Kuroita in theKita no Kuni Kara television series, which had various installments between 1981 and 2002.[3] His last film role was in 2010'sSaigo no Chushingura.[3]
The characterKizaru, fromEiichiro Oda's manga seriesOne Piece, is modeled after Tanaka.
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