Tetsuro Tamba
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
Yonimo Kimyou na Monogatari Tokubetsuhen
1990
0G-Men '75
1975
0Hashiran ka!
1995
Harakiri
1962
You Only Live Twice
1967
Yoshitsune
2005
Key Hunter
1968
0HOTEL
1990
The Cat Returns
2002
Toshiie and Matsu
2002
Masked Blade
1983
0Ōgon no Hibi
1978
Filmography
Yonimo Kimyou na Monogatari Tokubetsuhen
· 1990
G-Men '75
as 黒木警視 · 1975
Hashiran ka!
as 前田米吉 · 1995
Harakiri
as Hikokuro Omodaka · 1962
You Only Live Twice
as Tiger Tanaka · 1967
Yoshitsune
as Minamoto no Yorimasa (Gen-ji) · 2005
Key Hunter
as 黒木鉄也 · 1968
HOTEL
as Ohara Tetsutaro · 1990
The Cat Returns
as Cat King (voice) · 2002
Toshiie and Matsu
as Tarozaemon Iguchi · 2002
Masked Blade
· 1983
Ōgon no Hibi
as Imai Sōkyū · 1978
The Twilight Samurai
as Tozaemon Iguchi · 2002
Marco Polo
as Vasaio · 1982
Inochi
as Takahara Masamichi · 1986
Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky
as Master Zhang · 1991
水曜ドラマ 宮本武蔵
as 平田無二斎 · 1984
Matsudaira Ukon Jikencho
· 1982
Gokenin Zankuro
· 1995
Sanada Taiheiki
as Sanada Masayuki · 1985
Kwaidan
as Warrior (segment "Hoichi the Earless") · 1965
Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs
as Nagumo · 1974
The Castle of Sand
as Detective Eitaro Imanishi · 1974
The Ginger Tree
as Hirushi Tsushima · 1989
Life of St. Blue Eyes
as Takeyoshi Takagi · 1984
The Bullet Train
as Sunaga · 1975
The Bushido Blade
as Lord Yamato · 1981
Four Days of Snow and Blood
as Jinzaburi Shinzaki · 1989
Crayon Shin-chan: Explosion! The Hot Spring's Feel Good Final Battle
as Tamba (voice) · 1999
The Tale of Genji
· 1991
Tokugawa Chronicles: Ambition of the 3 Branches
as Naruse Hayatonosho · 1986
Yumemiru Budo
· 2003
Shogun's Samurai: The Yagyu Clan Conspiracy
as Ogasawara Gensinsai · 1978
Byakkotai
as Jinbo Kuranosuke · 1986
Giant Rumble
· 1964
Samurai Reincarnation
as Muramasa · 1981
Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight
as Shino · 1973
Submersion of Japan
as Prime Minister Yamamoto · 1973
Battles Without Honor and Humanity
· 1973
Prophecies of Nostradamus
as Dr. Nishiyama · 1974
The 5-Man Army
as Samurai · 1969
Three Outlaw Samurai
as Sakon Shiba · 1964
Night Train
as Isaburo Tamura · 1987
The Battle of Okinawa
as Lieutenant General Isamu Cho · 1971
Message from Space
as Ernest Noguchi · 1978
Gozu
· 2003
Coming Home
as Shirota Fukuzo · 1994
Onimasa: A Japanese Godfather
as Uichi Suda, The Big Boss · 1982
新幹線物語'93夏
as 黒木哲也 · 1993
All Men Are Brothers
as Lu Chun I · 1975
Fireflies in the North
as Ishikura · 1984
Shogun's Ninja
as Tozawa Hakuunsai · 1980
The Happiness of the Katakuris
as Granpa Jinpei Katakuri · 2002
The Brave Man Says Little
· 1983
The Political Game
· 1989
The Great White Tower
as Professor Ukai · 1990
Tabaruzaka
as Ôyama Tunayoshi · 1987
13 Assassins
as Doi Ōkō Toshi · 1963
Goyokin
as Rokugo Tatewaki · 1969
Port Arthur
as Gentaro Kodama · 1980
The Fall of Ako Castle
as Yanagisawa · 1978
The Water Margin
as Jade Unicorn, Lu Chun I · 1972
The Imperial Navy
as Jisaburo Ozawa · 1981
The 7th Dawn
as Ng · 1964
Tokyo Pop
as Mr. Dota · 1988
The Geisha
as Kochi Notable · 1983
Shogun's Shadow
as Hotta Masamori · 1989
A Picture of Madame Yuki
· 1975
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War
as Tatsuo Akashi · 1973
Never Give Up
as General Wada · 1978
Blackmail Is My Life
· 1968
The Veteran Trio
as Inui Sanshiro · 1999
Pigs and Battleships
as Slasher Tetsuji · 1961
The Last Days of Planet Earth
as Dr. Nishiyama · 1981
Love: Starting on a Journey
· 1985
Thirteen Times a Loser
as Shinji Kaizuka · 1969
Revenge
as Shume Okuno · 1964
Tokyo Blackout
as Nakata · 1987
Samurai from Somewhere
as Masagi Shohei · 1964
Seven Nights in Japan
as Terrorist Leader (uncredited) · 1976
Blood of Revenge
as Yutaro Nomura · 1965
Silence
as Cristóvão Ferreira · 1971
Zero Pilot
as Captain Saito · 1976
The Imperial Japanese Empire
as Hideki Tojo · 1982
Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron
as Kichibei · 1978
There Goes Benio, the Smart Girl
· 1987
Jakoman and Tetsu
as Jakoman · 1964
Heat Wave
as Denkichi Tsuzaki · 1991
The Challenge
as Takayama · 1962
Yakuza Ladies 3
as Takeo Sakanishi · 1989
Violent Streets
as Shimamura · 1974
Hanshichi Torimonochō
· 1992
Deadly Outlaw: Rekka
as Sanada · 2002
Graveyard of Honor
as Tetsuji Tokura · 2002
Order Made ~Shiawase Iro no Shinshi Fuku Mise~
· 2004
High Seas Hijack
as Captain Munekata · 1977
Mount Hakkoda
as Colonel Kojima · 1977
Black Lizard
as Kuroki · 1968
Call from Darkness
as Sugibayashi · 1981
Dissolution Rites
as Sakai · 1967
13 Assassins
· 1990
Under the Flag of the Rising Sun
as Sergeant Katsuo Togashi · 1972
Shadow Hunters 2: Echo of Destiny
as Kagemetsuke · 1972
Portrait of Chieko
as Kotaro Takamura · 1967
Battle Anthem
as Yamamoto · 1983
Tokyo: The Last War
as Kanaami Kohou · 1989
Tokyo: The Last War
as Kan'ami Kouou · 1989
Cabaret
as Yakuza boss · 1986
Be-In Bully High School
as Ryotaro Sakurazawa · 1990
Hunter in the Dark
as Okitsugu Tanuma · 1979
A Taxing Woman's Return
as Sadohara · 1988
Japan's Top Gangster
as Noboru Yamaguchi · 1973
Zero
as Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto · 1984
Suspicion
as Kanetaka Okamura · 1982
Heaven Station
· 1984
The Young Eagles of the Kamikaze
· 1968
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga
as Tatsuo Akashi · 1980
Emperor of Upheaval
· 1993
Gambler's Farewell
as Tetsuji Kasai · 1968
Snake Woman's Curse
as Commander · 1968
Kaseifu wa mita!
· 1997
Sakuya: The Slayer of Demons
as Old Master · 2000
Japanese Hell
as Asu Shino · 1999
Conflagration
as Captain Munekata · 1975
You're My Destiny
· 1987
Twilight of the Cockroaches
as Grandpa (voice) · 1987
Bridge to the Sun
as Jiro · 1961
Bloody History of Soldiers
as Shumei Okawa · 1958
The Wild Daisy
as Gozaburo Saito · 1981
T.R.Y.
· 2003
Fujisawa Shuhei's Sparkling Sword: Puppeteer in the Shadows
· 1997
The International Gang of Kobe
as Rinsei · 1975
The Gambler's Counterattack
as Chief Inspector · 1971
Samurai from Nowhere
as Gunjuro Ohba · 1964
A Madcap Corporation
as Yoshiteru Suma (Suma-gumi Boss) · 1983
The Stupid Teacher
as Utaemon Baba · 2000
Men and War I: Prelude to Destiny
· 1970
Japan's Violent Gangs: The Boss and the Killers
· 1969
Tokyo Gang vs. Hong Kong Gang
· 1964
To Trap a Kidnapper
· 1982
The Corporation
as Kawamata · 1976
Samurai Spy
as Sakon Takatani · 1965
Shura Group
· 2002
The Story of a Man Among Men
· 1984
The Shogun Assassins
as Kato Kiyomasa · 1979
The Hitman: Blood Smells Like Roses
· 1991
Eyeful Daisakusen
· 1973
Shadow Hunters
· 1972
Dead Angle
· 1979
Destroyer Yukikaze
· 1964
The Peking Man
as Osone · 1997
Demon Pond
· 2005
Rise and Fall of Chivalry
· 1970
All Rascals
· 1962
The Kingdom of Jirocho 3
· 1964
The Ceiling at Utsunomiya
as Kurozumi Tenzen · 1956
The Incident
as Lawyer Kikuchi · 1978
Operation Plazma in Osaka
· 1976
The Sacrifice of the Human Torpedoes
· 1955
Jubaku: Spellbound
as Tajiro Kawakami · 1999
Get 'em All
as Tanabe · 1960
Sazen Tange and The Secret of the Urn
as Lord Tsushima Yagyu · 1966
Blind Beast vs Killer Dwarf
· 2001
Screwed
as Landlord · 1998
The Ghost of Kasane
as Jinjûrô Ômura · 1957
Army Intelligence
as Lieutenant Colonel Akiyama · 1968
Tales of Young Genji Kuro 3
· 1962
The Scandalous Adventures of Buraikan
as Soshun Kochiyama · 1970
Zankokuna tsuki
· 1962
The Wolves
as Genryu Asakura · 1971
Crimson Bat - Oichi: Wanted, Dead or Alive
as Hyoe · 1970
Female Slave Ship
· 1960
Abashiri Prison
as Tsumaki · 1965
August Without Emperor
as Army General Mikami · 1978
The Ando Gang Documentary Film
· 1973
The Duel in the Forbidden Territory
· 1983
Daredevil in the Castle
as Sadamasa Ishikawa · 1961
Aurora Borealis
as Tsuneiro Kamisaka · 1990
Hibari's Triple Role: The Dazzling Transformation of Yukinojo
· 1957
Gamblers and Racketeers
· 1964
Game of Chance 3
· 1967
Hot Vacation
· 1968
Quarreling with Yakuza
· 1973
Be Free!
as Keizo Hasegawa · 1986
Human Revolution II
· 1976
The Making Of The Katakuris
· 2001
Flames of Blood
· 1981
Organized Violence II
as Police Inspector Kitagawa · 1967
Assassination
as Hachiro Kiyokawa · 1964
The Executioner II: Karate Inferno
as Kimitake Shugi / Moroki · 1974
Shura Group Part 2
· 2002
The Last True Yakuza
as Kazumasa Tashiro · 1985
Between Women and Wives
· 1976
Female Neo-Ninjas
as Time Patrol leader · 1991
Kukai
· 1984
Emperor Meiji and the Great Russo-Japanese War
as Rear Admiral Shimamura · 1957
The Tale of Saikaido
· 1983
Yakuza Warfare
· 1991
The Pacific War and the International Military Tribunal
· 1959
1750 Days of Turbulence
· 1990
The Return of the Filthy Seven
· 1967
Teruo Ishii Fan Club
· 2006
Hanamazu
· 1955
King of Pornography
· 1971
Taira no Kiyomori
· 1992
G-Men in the Pacific
as Mizuhara · 1962
The Great Shogunate Battle
· 1991
日本敗れず
· 1954
Mysterious Clouds: Legend of Satomi's Heroic Deed
as Aboshi Samajirô · 1957
Big Bad Wolf
· 1973
Tokugawa Ieyasu – TBS Warlord Special
· 1988
South Pacific Waves Are High
· 1962
Monument to Holy Service
· 1978
Troops of Darkness
· 1971
The Private Police
· 1969
Company Buggers
· 1975
Emperor & Empress Meiji and the Sino-Japanese War
as Keisuke Otori · 1958
Red Peony Gambler: Biographies of a Gambling Room
· 1969
Shinran: Path to Purity
· 1987
Admiral Yamamoto and the Allied Fleets
· 1956
Tidal Wave
as Prime Minister Yamato · 1975
Sugata Sanshiro
as Iinuma · 1977
The Classroom of Terror
· 1976
Organized Crime: Killer's Glory
· 1972
長七郎江戸日記スペシャル 長七郎 大奥まかり通る
· 1989
Organized Violence
· 1967
A Class to Remember IV: Fifteen
as Tetsuo Hatake · 2000
The Supernormal II
· 1993
The Armed Organization
· 1971
やくざ番外地 抹殺
· 1969
The Bad Boss
· 1968
Umineko ga tonde
· 1962
Postwar Secrets
as Kuroki · 1970
Yakuza Skirmishes
· 1972
The Kii River
as Shintani Kosaku · 1966
Twilight Saloon
as Morimoto · 1955
Tokyo Untouchable
as Goro Kawamoto · 1965
Mist and Shadows
as Yusuke Komiya · 1961
Tokyo Untouchable: Escape
as Goro Kawamoto · 1963
Wild Cop 2
· 1973
Greed in Broad Daylight
as Miyahara · 1961
Nichiren
· 1979
Red Flowers of Hell
· 1961
Blood and Law
· 1965
An Outlaw
· 1964
Submarine Ro Hasn't Surfaced
· 1954
The Human Revolution
· 1973
Gang vs. G-Men
as Toru Tezuka · 1962
Quick on the Trigger
· 1958
The Way to The Gold Medals
as President Sakakibara · 1980
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World: What Happens When You Die
as 吉野博士 · 1989
King of the Gang
· 1967
Gang vs. Gang
· 1962
Murderer!
as Nīto Kouken · 1976
Abashiri Prison: Duel in Hokkaido
· 1967
Kingorō no kaigun taishô
· 1959
Tokyo Untouchables
· 1964
Standing Towards the Great Forest
· 1961
A Wicked Woman
as Ihei Ôsawa · 1958
Nezumi Kozō kaitō den
· 1984
Choshichiro's Edo Diaries: The Yagyu Conspiracy
as Yagyu Munefuyu · 1984
Underwater Murder
· 1958
April Fish
as Panapora Chief Handa · 1986
Gamblers: The Dragon Tattoo
· 1967
Shōwa Gokudōshi
· 1972
The School Deviate Waru
· 1973
Thirst for Love
as Kosuke Aso · 1966
Karafuto 1945 Summer
· 1974
Psychic: Traveler to the Unknown
· 1994
Tale of Ninja Duty
as Mumyo Tsunataro · 1965
The Alaska Story
as Arashuk · 1977
Cherry Blossoms in the Air - The Suicide Raiders - Oh, Buddies!
· 1970
The Gambling Samurai
as Fumizo Mitsuki · 1960
The Shogun's Vault
· 1964
The Sound of the Waves
· 1985
Ano hito wa ima
· 1963
Eleven Gangsters
· 1963
A Flame at the Pier
· 1962
Vendetta of Obligation
· 1985
Greatest Boss of the Showa Era
· 1966
Four Sisters
as Masao Igarashi · 1962
Hell's Kitchen
· 1962
Hanran
as Captain Koda · 1954
Penitentiary Brothers
· 1969
Kim's War
· 1991
Drive for the Future
as Akiji Nishikawa · 1980
Operation Diamond
as Kazuo Kasami · 1962
Tange Sazen
· 1963
Shura Group Part 1
· 2002
Minamoto Yoshitsune
· 1991
Lone Rebel
· 1969
The Code of Man
· 1968
Gang Loyalty and Vengeance
as Gu Shimizu · 1963
Once and For All
· 1967
Yakuza Demon
as Michitane Tendou · 2003
The Vassal's Neck
· 1955
Underworld Code
· 1965
Escape Man
· 1967
Devil Princess’ Beauty Competition
· 1956
Sky Scraper!
· 1969
The Villain from Edo Kochiyama Soshun
· 1982
Spycatcher J3: SOS Close Shave
as J1 (TULIP Japan Branch Chief) · 1966
Secret Prophecies of Nostradamus
as Himself · 1974
Structure of Hate
· 1961
The Sand Boat
· 1980
Speed King
· 1956
剣聖 暁の三十六番斬り
· 1957
Mysterious Dwarf
· 1955
Gang vs. G-Men: Safe Breakers
as 手塚徹 · 1963
The Gambler
· 1965
L・O・V・I・N・G
· 1983
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World 2: I was surprised when I died!!
as Ryo Okamoto · 1990
The Fencing Collegian
· 1956
Ninja Killers
· 1964
Samon’s Hell Revenge: Unauthorised Jutte Records 2 - The Assassination of the Shogun
· 1983
Kōgen ni ressha ga hashitta
· 1984
New Abashiri Prison Story: Honor and Humanity, Ammunition That Attracts the Storm
· 1972
機動捜査班
· 1961
Diamonds of the Andes
· 1968
Kill the Killer!
as Narumi · 1961
The Domain: Kanto Legends of Chivalry
· 1965
A Case of Murder by the Atami Station Taxi Stand
· 2003
The Yellow Climate
· 1961
Storming Osaka Castle: The Sanada Ten Braves
as Mondonoshô Hirano · 1957
Continental Drifter
· 1966
Kuronekokan ni Kieta Otoko
· 1956
Kaachan
· 1961
Queen of Asia
· 1957
The Thousand Year Fire
· 2004
Uragirimono wa jigoku daze
· 1962
Kizu-darake no futeki-sha
· 1963
Showdown on Pier No.3
as Kirishima · 1960
Nude Woman and Murder Maze
as Senba · 1959
Informal Dress
· 1972
Kingoro's Soldier
· 1956
Capone: Roppongi Renkin no Teio
· 2004
Lady Vengeance and the 47 Ronin
· 1983
No Police
· 1959
Detective
· 1964
Tetsuro Tamba’s Great Spiritual World 3: Amazing Reincarnation Story That Ran Around the Whole
· 1994
Futari dake no toride
· 1963
Ronin on a Mission
as Ōishi Kuranosuke · 1987
Black and Red Flower Petals
· 1962
President Rai of Kingoro
· 1956
Flickering Flames
· 1977
Hawk of the Harbour
· 1967
Zero sen no jorō gun
· 1960
Kyōen Kobanzame
· 1958
Hibari's Triple Role: The Transformation of Yukinojo — Part II
· 1957
源氏九郎颯爽記 秘剣揚羽の蝶
· 1991
High-Ranking Yakuza
· 1965
Homicide
as Lieutenant Aikawa · 1964
Ino Tadataka: Meridian Dreams
· 2001
修羅のみち
· 2001
Element of Surprise
· 1963
The Prosecutor and His Sister
· 1956