Yoshio Harada | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | (1940-02-29)29 February 1940 | ||||
| Died | 19 July 2011(2011-07-19) (aged 71)[1] Tokyo, Japan | ||||
| Occupation | Actor | ||||
| Years active | 1967–2011 | ||||
| Height | 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) | ||||
| Japanese name | |||||
| Kanji | 原田 芳雄 | ||||
| Hiragana | はらだ よしお | ||||
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Yoshio Harada (原田 芳雄,Harada Yoshio; 29 February 1940 – 19 July 2011) was a Japanese actor and singer,[2] known for his portrayals of rugged and complexantiheros.[3] He received a variety of accolades, including aJapan Academy Film Prize, twoBlue Ribbon Awards, twoHochi Film Awards, and fiveKinema Junpo Awards.
Harada also was ablues musician, releasing a number of records throughout his career.
Born in Tokyo, Harada joined theHaiyuza Theatre Company in 1966 and made his television debut in 1967 with "Tenka no seinen"[4] and his film debut in 1968 withFukushū no uta ga kikoeru.[5] He came to fame appearing in New Action films atNikkatsu playing youthful rebels.[3] Among his features for Nikkatsu was the 1971 exploitation film,Stray Cat Rock: Crazy Riders '71 (akaAlleycat Rock: Crazy Riders '71) for directorToshiya Fujita where he played the son of ayakuza boss.[6]
Leaving the Haiyūza in 1971,[4] he appeared in films made by many directors, includingSeijun Suzuki,Shūji Terayama,Azuma Morisaki,Kihachi Okamoto,Rokurō Mochizuki,Jun Ichikawa,Hirokazu Koreeda andKōji Wakamatsu, but he was particularly favored byKazuo Kuroki andJunji Sakamoto. He starred in many independent films, including those of theArt Theatre Guild.[3] According to the critic Mark Schilling, Harada was "a favorite of generations of Japanese helmers for his rugged features, low, rumbling voice and distinctive presence, with shades of darkness and wildness that made him a natural for antihero roles in his youth."[3] Harada also appeared in many television dramas.[4]
He died on 19 July 2011 fromcolorectal cancer. His last starring film wasSomeday, and it was at a press conference for that film on 11 July that he made his last public appearance.[4]
A veteran of over 80 films, Harada won the best actor award at the 1990Blue Ribbon Awards forRonin-gai andWare ni Utsu Yōi Ari.[10] He had earlier won the Blue Ribbon best supporting actor prize in 1975 forMatsuri no junbi.[11] He also won the best actor prize at theMainichi Film Awards in 1997 forOnibi,[12] and theHochi Film Award for best supporting actor in 1989 forDotsuitarunen.[13] He was twice nominated for the Best ActorJapanese Academy Award and won the award for best supporting actor at the 11thYokohama Film Festival forDotsuitarunen andKiss yori kantan.[14]
He received aMedal of Honor with Purple Ribbon from the Japanese government in 2003.[15]
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