Tetsuro Tamba
Acting
🎂 1922-07-17
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(337)
前田米吉
1995
1983
Imai Sōkyū
1978
Tarozaemon Iguchi
2002
Takahara Masamichi
1986
Ohara Tetsutaro
1990
1982
Minamoto no Yorimasa (Gen-ji)
2005
Vasaio
1982
1995
Sanada Masayuki
1985
平田無二斎
1984
Naruse Hayatonosho
1986
Inui Sanshiro
1999
黒木哲也
1993
1990
Tiger Tanaka
1967
1997
Jinbo Kuranosuke
1986
Cat King (voice)
2002
Muramasa
1981
Hikokuro Omodaka
1962
1992
2004
2003
Master Zhang
1991
Tozaemon Iguchi
2002
Sunaga
1975
Takeyoshi Takagi
1984
Warrior (segment "Hoichi the Earless")
1965
Shino
1973
Tozawa Hakuunsai
1980
Shirota Fukuzo
1994
1972
Sakon Shiba
1964
Nagumo
1974
Doi Ōkō Toshi
1963
Tamba (voice)
1999
Sanada
2002
Old Master
2000
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
1984
Jade Unicorn, Lu Chun I
1972
Granpa Jinpei Katakuri
2002
Tetsuji Tokura
2002
Ishikura
1984
Detective Eitaro Imanishi
1974
Kochi Notable
1983
1973
Yanagisawa
1978
Rokugo Tatewaki
1969
General Wada
1978
Lieutenant General Isamu Cho
1971
2003
Hachiro Kiyokawa
1964
Sergeant Katsuo Togashi
1972
Slasher Tetsuji
1961
Jisaburo Ozawa
1981
Ernest Noguchi
1978
Sakon Takatani
1965
Tatsuo Akashi
1973
Samurai
1969
Shimamura Kansai
1974
Okitsugu Tanuma
1979
Grandpa (voice)
1987
Hotta Masamori
1989
Ogasawara Gensinsai
1978
Colonel Kojima
1977
Kichibei
1978
1984
Lord Tsushima Yagyu
1966
Hideki Tojo
1982
Lu Chun I
1975
Kuroki
1968
Shume Okuno
1964
Denkichi Tsuzaki
1991
Gentaro Kodama
1980
1964
1969
1990
Kato Kiyomasa
1979
Army General Mikami
1978
Uichi Suda, The Big Boss
1982
Asu Shino
1999
Isaburo Tamura
1987
Ng
1964
Cristóvão Ferreira
1971
Shugi
1974
Michitane Tendou
2003
Rear Admiral Shimamura
1957
Prime Minister Yamamoto
1973
Terrorist Leader (uncredited)
1976
1964
2003
Landlord
1998
Kanaami Kohou
1989
Tiger Tanaka (archive footage) (uncredited)
2002
Yamamoto
1983
1967
1991
1968
Police Inspector Kitagawa
1967
2005
Genryu Asakura
1971
Noboru Yamaguchi
1973
Dr. Nishiyama
1974
Chief Inspector
1971
Captain Munekata
1975
1969
Yakuza boss
1986
1968
Nakata
1987
Kagemetsuke
1972
1976
2001
Kotaro Takamura
1967
Keizo Hasegawa
1986
1969
Takeo Sakanishi
1989
Gunjuro Ohba
1964
1971
1984
Sadohara
1988
Kanetaka Okamura
1982
Lord Yamato
1981
1956
1971
Sakai
1967
1983
Jinzaburi Shinzaki
1989
1964
Kazumasa Tashiro
1985
1967
1987
Mumyo Tsunataro
1965
1959
Mr. Dota
1988
Gu Shimizu
1963
2004
Commander
1968
1982
1970
Gozaburo Saito
1981
1975
1956
1983
1967
1979
Rinsei
1975
1978
Lawyer Kikuchi
1978
Keisuke Otori
1958
1962
Lieutenant Colonel Akiyama
1968
Sugibayashi
1981
1973
1973
Iinuma
1977
Tsuneiro Kamisaka
1990
Shintani Kosaku
1966
Senba
1959
2001
Sadamasa Ishikawa
1961
1977
1993
1987
1964
1973
1973
1976
1985
1963
1957
1962
Tiger Tanaka (archive footage) (uncredited)
2002
1955
1987
Tsumaki
1965
1964
1969
1992
1983
1962
1970
Takayama
1962
Nīto Kouken
1976
Mizuhara
1962
Panapora Chief Handa
1986
1961
1986
Akiji Nishikawa
1980
1962
1964
1982
Kurozumi Tenzen
1956
1964
Utaemon Baba
2000
Miyahara
1961
Tatsuo Akashi
1980
Ihei Ôsawa
1958
1972
1969
1989
Morimoto
1955
1991
1955
Tanabe
1960
1959
1972
Soshun Kochiyama
1970
1991
1985
1972
1960
1963
1959
Ryotaro Sakurazawa
1990
Captain Saito
1976
2004
1976
1983
1961
Masao Igarashi
1962
1967
1973
1958
Arashuk
1977
1961
1994
1965
1954
1963
1974
吉野博士
1989
Tajiro Kawakami
1999
1990
1984
1991
1956
1956
Osone
1997
Yusuke Komiya
1961
1956
1975
1985
1983
Tetsuo Hatake
2000
1963
1991
1956
1962
1963
President Sakakibara
1980
1956
1955
1968
1989
1979
1966
Lieutenant Aikawa
1964
1964
1991
1962
Jakoman
1964
1957
1968
手塚徹
1963
Tetsuji Kasai
1968
1965
1963
1987
Goro Kawamoto
1963
1967
Aboshi Samajirô
1957
1971
Captain Koda
1954
1984
Jiro
1961
1967
2002
1964
1980
1964
Ryo Okamoto
1990
Mondonoshô Hirano
1957
Captain Munekata
1977
1968
Ōishi Kuranosuke
1987
1962
Yutaro Nomura
1965
1957
Prime Minister Yamato
1975
1972
1961
1983
Time Patrol leader
1991
1962
1962
Kosuke Aso
1966
Yagyu Munefuyu
1984
1962
1993
1956
1965
Dr. Nishiyama
1981
Fumizo Mitsuki
1960
1967
1969
1981
1976
1991
1994
Toru Tezuka
1962
Jinjûrô Ômura
1957
2001
1969
Kuroki
1970
2002
2006
1965
2002
1954
1988
J1 (TULIP Japan Branch Chief)
1966
1957
Goro Kawamoto
1962
1958
1966
1965
1967
Himself
1974
Hyoe
1970
1958
2003
1970
1960
1972
Kazuo Kasami
1962