Tetsuro Tamba

Tetsuro Tamba

Date of Birth:

Jul 17, 1922

Place of Birth:

Tokyo, Japan

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.

filmography:

King of the Gang King of the Gang

1967

Four Days of Snow and Blood Four Days of Snow and Blood

1989

Organized Violence II Organized Violence II

1967

Penitentiary Brothers Penitentiary Brothers

1969

The Private Police The Private Police

1969

Fireflies in the North Fireflies in the North

1984

The Way to The Gold Medals The Way to The Gold Medals

1980

Tales of Young Genji Kuro 3 Tales of Young Genji Kuro 3

1962

Four Sisters Four Sisters

1962

A Wicked Woman A Wicked Woman

1958

Greed in Broad Daylight Greed in Broad Daylight

1961

Thirst for Love Thirst for Love

1966

Jakoman and Tetsu Jakoman and Tetsu

1964

Yakuza Ladies 3 Yakuza Ladies 3

1989

The Bullet Train The Bullet Train

1975

The Ghost of Kasane The Ghost of Kasane

1957

Blood of Revenge Blood of Revenge

1965

The Last True Yakuza The Last True Yakuza

1985

Gang vs. G-Men Gang vs. G-Men

1962

Wild Cop 2 Wild Cop 2

1973

13 Assassins 13 Assassins

1963

Samurai Reincarnation Samurai Reincarnation

1981

Sazen Tange and The Secret of the Urn Sazen Tange and The Secret of the Urn

1966

The Geisha The Geisha

1983

The Classroom of Terror The Classroom of Terror

1976

The Yellow Climate The Yellow Climate

1961

The Imperial Navy The Imperial Navy

1981

Shogun's Samurai Shogun's Samurai

1978

The Fall of Ako Castle The Fall of Ako Castle

1978

Quarreling with Yakuza Quarreling with Yakuza

1973

Yakuza Skirmishes Yakuza Skirmishes

1972

Dissolution Rites Dissolution Rites

1967

Black Lizard Black Lizard

1968

The Ando Gang Documentary Film The Ando Gang Documentary Film

1973

Crayon Shin-chan: Explosion! The Hot Spring's Feel Good Final Battle Crayon Shin-chan: Explosion! The Hot Spring's Feel Good Final Battle

1999

Portrait of Chieko Portrait of Chieko

1967

Nichiren Nichiren

1979

All Men Are Brothers All Men Are Brothers

1975

The Challenge The Challenge

1962

Suspicion Suspicion

1982

Night Train Night Train

1987

Nezumi Kozō kaitō den Nezumi Kozō kaitō den

1984

August without Emperor August without Emperor

1978

The Shogun's Vault The Shogun's Vault

1964

There Goes Benio, the Smart Girl There Goes Benio, the Smart Girl

1987

Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War

1973

Submarine Ro Hasn't Surfaced Submarine Ro Hasn't Surfaced

1954

Human Revolution II Human Revolution II

1976

Tange Sazen Tange Sazen

1963

G-Men in the Pacific G-Men in the Pacific

1962

Be Free! Be Free!

1986

Call from Darkness Call from Darkness

1981

A Madcap Corporation A Madcap Corporation

1983

Jubaku: Spellbound Jubaku: Spellbound

1999

Abashiri Prison Abashiri Prison

1965

An Outlaw An Outlaw

1964

The Young Eagles of the Kamikaze The Young Eagles of the Kamikaze

1968

Kingorō no kaigun taishô Kingorō no kaigun taishô

1959

The Pacific War and the International Military Tribunal The Pacific War and the International Military Tribunal

1959

Choshichiro's Edo Diaries: The Yagyu Conspiracy Choshichiro's Edo Diaries: The Yagyu Conspiracy

1984

Kaachan Kaachan

1961

The Incident The Incident

1978

Mysterious Pygmy Mysterious Pygmy

1955

The International Gang of Kobe The International Gang of Kobe

1975

Gambler's Farewell Gambler's Farewell

1968

High Seas Hijack High Seas Hijack

1977

Flames of Blood Flames of Blood

1981

Queen of Asia Queen of Asia

1957

Graveyard of Honor Graveyard of Honor

2002

Quick on the Trigger Quick on the Trigger

1958

Conflagration Conflagration

1975

Underwater Murder Underwater Murder

1958

Daredevil in the Castle Daredevil in the Castle

1961

All Rascals All Rascals

1962

The Armed Organization The Armed Organization

1971

Red Peony Gambler: Biographies of a Gambling Room Red Peony Gambler: Biographies of a Gambling Room

1969

Secret Prophecies of Nostradamus Secret Prophecies of Nostradamus

1974

Cabaret Cabaret

1986

New Abashiri Prison Story: Honor and Humanity, Ammunition That Attracts the Storm New Abashiri Prison Story: Honor and Humanity, Ammunition That Attracts the Storm

1972

Message from Space Message from Space

1978

The Stupid Teacher The Stupid Teacher

2000

Troops of Darkness Troops of Darkness

1971

Sugata Sanshiro Sugata Sanshiro

1977

The Supernormal II The Supernormal II

1993

Gamblers and Racketeers Gamblers and Racketeers

1964

Company Buggers Company Buggers

1975

Vendetta of Obligation Vendetta of Obligation

1985

School Be-In Bully School Be-In Bully

1990

Yakuza Warfare Yakuza Warfare

1991

The Great Duel The Great Duel

1964

The Human Revolution The Human Revolution

1973

Game of Chance 3 Game of Chance 3

1967

The Making Of The Katakuris The Making Of The Katakuris

2001

Teruo Ishii Fan Club Teruo Ishii Fan Club

2006

Taira no Kiyomori Taira no Kiyomori

1992

Admiral Yamamoto and the Allied Fleets Admiral Yamamoto and the Allied Fleets

1956

Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World: What Happens When You Die Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World: What Happens When You Die

1989

The Prosecutor and His Sister The Prosecutor and His Sister

1956

The Hitman Blood Smells Like Roses The Hitman Blood Smells Like Roses

1991

Zero sen no jorō gun Zero sen no jorō gun

1960

Yakuza Demon Yakuza Demon

2003

Tokyo: The Last War Tokyo: The Last War

1989

Snake Woman's Curse Snake Woman's Curse

1968

Tabaruzaka Tabaruzaka

1987

花眞珠 花眞珠

1955

Lone Rebel Lone Rebel

1969

Gang and G-Men Part 2 Gang and G-Men Part 2

1963

The Great Shogunate Battle The Great Shogunate Battle

1991

The Corporation The Corporation

1976

T.R.Y. T.R.Y.

2003

Drive for the Future Drive for the Future

1980

Hell's Kitchen Hell's Kitchen

1962

Karafuto 1945 Summer Karafuto 1945 Summer

1974

Emperor & Empress Meiji and the Sino-Japanese War Emperor & Empress Meiji and the Sino-Japanese War

1958

Destroyer Yukikaze Destroyer Yukikaze

1964

The Story of a Man Among Men The Story of a Man Among Men

1984

A Case of Murder by the Atami Station Taxi Stand A Case of Murder by the Atami Station Taxi Stand

2003

Blood and Law Blood and Law

1965

Rise and Fall of Chivalry Rise and Fall of Chivalry

1970

Informal Dress Informal Dress

1972

Organized Violence Organized Violence

1967

The Gambler's Counterattack The Gambler's Counterattack

1971

Once and For All Once and For All

1967

The Thousand Year Fire The Thousand Year Fire

2004

Port Arthur Port Arthur

1980

Eleven Gangsters Eleven Gangsters

1963

To Trap a Kidnapper To Trap a Kidnapper

1982

Twilight of the Cockroaches Twilight of the Cockroaches

1987

The Shogun Assassins The Shogun Assassins

1979

L・O・V・I・N・G L・O・V・I・N・G

1983

Get 'em All Get 'em All

1960

Japan's Violent Gangs: The Boss and the Killers Japan's Violent Gangs: The Boss and the Killers

1969

The Kii River The Kii River

1966

Postwar Secrets Postwar Secrets

1970

Abashiri Prison: Duel in Hokkaido Abashiri Prison: Duel in Hokkaido

1967

1750 Days of Turbulence 1750 Days of Turbulence

1990

The Domain: Kanto Legends of Chivalry The Domain: Kanto Legends of Chivalry

1965

Murderer! Murderer!

1976

Tale of Ninja Duty Tale of Ninja Duty

1965

Love: Starting on a Journey Love: Starting on a Journey

1985

The Bushido Blade The Bushido Blade

1981

Organized Crime: Killer's Glory Organized Crime: Killer's Glory

1972

Operation Plazma in Osaka Operation Plazma in Osaka

1976

The Sacrifice of the Human Torpedoes The Sacrifice of the Human Torpedoes

1955

Mist and Shadows Mist and Shadows

1961

Gang Loyalty and Vengeance Gang Loyalty and Vengeance

1963

Female Slave Ship Female Slave Ship

1960

The Sand Boat The Sand Boat

1980

The Twilight Samurai The Twilight Samurai

2002

Japan's Top Gangster Japan's Top Gangster

1973

Tokyo Pop Tokyo Pop

1988

Blind Beast vs Dwarf Killer Blind Beast vs Dwarf Killer

2001

鬼姫競艶録 鬼姫競艶録

1956

Assassination Assassination

1964

The Executioner II: Karate Inferno The Executioner II: Karate Inferno

1974

Submersion of Japan Submersion of Japan

1973

Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight

1973

Samon’s Hell Revenge: Unauthorised Jutte Records 2 - The Assassination of the Shogun Samon’s Hell Revenge: Unauthorised Jutte Records 2 - The Assassination of the Shogun

1983

Blackmail Is My Life Blackmail Is My Life

1968

Umineko ga tonde Umineko ga tonde

1962

Japanese Hell Japanese Hell

1999

Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron

1978

The School Deviate Waru The School Deviate Waru

1973

The Sound of the Waves The Sound of the Waves

1985

Revenge Revenge

1964

The 7th Dawn The 7th Dawn

1964

Shadow Hunters 2: Echo of Destiny Shadow Hunters 2: Echo of Destiny

1972

Three Outlaw Samurai Three Outlaw Samurai

1964

Shadow Hunters Shadow Hunters

1972

Tokugawa Ieyasu – TBS Warlord Special Tokugawa Ieyasu – TBS Warlord Special

1988

Screwed Screwed

1998

Ino Tadataka: Meridian dreams Ino Tadataka: Meridian dreams

2001

Crimson Bat - Oichi: Wanted, Dead or Alive Crimson Bat - Oichi: Wanted, Dead or Alive

1970

Zero Fighter Zero Fighter

1976

Ankoku gai jingi Ankoku gai jingi

1965

Zankokuna tsuki Zankokuna tsuki

1962

Dai shinrin ni mukatte tatsu Dai shinrin ni mukatte tatsu

1961

The Scandalous Adventures of Buraikan The Scandalous Adventures of Buraikan

1970

The White Tiger Battalion The White Tiger Battalion

1986

Prophecies of Nostradamus Prophecies of Nostradamus

1974

The Tale of Saikaido The Tale of Saikaido

1983

Heat Wave Heat Wave

1991

Mount Hakkoda Mount Hakkoda

1977

The Villain from Edo Kochiyama Soshun The Villain from Edo Kochiyama Soshun

1982

Twilight Saloon Twilight Saloon

1955

Aurora Borealis Aurora Borealis

1990

The Tale of Genji The Tale of Genji

1991

Bridge to the Sun Bridge to the Sun

1961

Silence Silence

1971

The Political Game The Political Game

1989

The Castle of Sand The Castle of Sand

1974

King of Pornography King of Pornography

1971

The Wolves The Wolves

1971

Deadly Outlaw: Rekka Deadly Outlaw: Rekka

2002

Hawk of the Harbour Hawk of the Harbour

1967

長七郎江戸日記スペシャル 長七郎 大奥まかり通る 長七郎江戸日記スペシャル 長七郎 大奥まかり通る

1989

The Cat Returns The Cat Returns

2002

Tokyo Untouchable Tokyo Untouchable

1962

Gozu Gozu

2003

South Pacific Waves Are High South Pacific Waves Are High

1962

Operation Diamond Operation Diamond

1962

Kwaidan Kwaidan

1965

Minamoto Yoshitsune Minamoto Yoshitsune

1991

Spycatcher J3: SOS Close Shave Spycatcher J3: SOS Close Shave

1966

Pigs and Battleships Pigs and Battleships

1961

Demon Pond Demon Pond

2005

Tokyo Gang Vs. Hong Kong Gang Tokyo Gang Vs. Hong Kong Gang

1964

The Water Margin The Water Margin

1972

13 Assassins 13 Assassins

1990

The Peking Man The Peking Man

1997

Goyokin Goyokin

1969

Samurai Spy Samurai Spy

1965

Gamblers: The Dragon Tattoo Gamblers: The Dragon Tattoo

1967

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

1957

Tetsuro Tamba’s Great Spiritual World 3: Amazing Reincarnation Story That Ran Around the Whole Tetsuro Tamba’s Great Spiritual World 3: Amazing Reincarnation Story That Ran Around the Whole

1994

Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World 2: I was surprised when I died!! Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World 2: I was surprised when I died!!

1990

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

1957

Violent Streets Violent Streets

1974

Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky

1991

Futari dake no toride Futari dake no toride

1963

Under the Flag of the Rising Sun Under the Flag of the Rising Sun

1972

Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs

1974

The Happiness of the Katakuris The Happiness of the Katakuris

2002

Hunter in the Dark Hunter in the Dark

1979

The 5-Man Army The 5-Man Army

1969

Cherry Blossoms in the Air - The Suicide Raiders - Oh, Buddies! Cherry Blossoms in the Air - The Suicide Raiders - Oh, Buddies!

1970

Shōwa Gokudōshi Shōwa Gokudōshi

1972

Kuronekokan ni Kieta Otoko Kuronekokan ni Kieta Otoko

1956

A Flame at the Pier A Flame at the Pier

1962

Greatest Boss of the Showa Era Greatest Boss of the Showa Era

1966

The Alaska Story The Alaska Story

1977

Shinran: Path to Purity Shinran: Path to Purity

1987

Psychic: Traveler to the Unknown Psychic: Traveler to the Unknown

1994

Kukai Kukai

1984

Dead Angle Dead Angle

1979

Kuro to aka no hanabira Kuro to aka no hanabira

1962

Mukeisatsu Mukeisatsu

1959

The Battle of Okinawa The Battle of Okinawa

1971

Battles Without Honor and Humanity Battles Without Honor and Humanity

1973

Never Give Up Never Give Up

1978

The Gambling Samurai The Gambling Samurai

1960

Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga

1980

April Fish April Fish

1986

Sakuya: The Slayer of Demons Sakuya: The Slayer of Demons

2000

Tokyo Blackout Tokyo Blackout

1987

Female Neo-Ninjas Female Neo-Ninjas

1991

Shogun's Ninja Shogun's Ninja

1980

The Wild Daisy The Wild Daisy

1981

Emperor Meiji and the Great Russo-Japanese War Emperor Meiji and the Great Russo-Japanese War

1957

Kyōen Kobanzame Kyōen Kobanzame

1958

Flickering Flames Flickering Flames

1977

Kingoro's Soldier Kingoro's Soldier

1956

The Ceiling at Utsunomiya The Ceiling at Utsunomiya

1956

Samurai from Somewhere Samurai from Somewhere

1964

The Bad Boss The Bad Boss

1968

Gang vs. Gang Gang vs. Gang

1962

The Fencing Collegian The Fencing Collegian

1956

Rajo to satsujin-meiro Rajo to satsujin-meiro

1959

Army Intelligence Army Intelligence

1968

金語楼の雷社長 金語楼の雷社長

1956

Samurai from Nowhere Samurai from Nowhere

1964

Speed King Speed King

1956

A Class to Remember IV: Fifteen A Class to Remember IV: Fifteen

2000

Harakiri Harakiri

1962

Seven Nights in Japan Seven Nights in Japan

1976

雪夫人繪圖 雪夫人繪圖

1975

Kizu-darake no futeki-sha Kizu-darake no futeki-sha

1963

Sky Scraper! Sky Scraper!

1969

The Gambler The Gambler

1965

Tokyo Untouchable: Escape Tokyo Untouchable: Escape

1963

The Code of Man The Code of Man

1968

Shura Group Shura Group

2002

The Kingdom of Jirocho 3 The Kingdom of Jirocho 3

1964

Onimasa: A Japanese Godfather Onimasa: A Japanese Godfather

1982

The Return of the Filthy Seven The Return of the Filthy Seven

1967

Shogun's Shadow Shogun's Shadow

1989

Hanran Hanran

1954

Homicide Homicide

1964

Detective Detective

1964

Kōgen ni ressha ga hashitta Kōgen ni ressha ga hashitta

1984

Men and War I: Prelude to Destiny Men and War I: Prelude to Destiny

1970

Capone: Roppongi Renkin no Teio Capone: Roppongi Renkin no Teio

2004

A Taxing Woman's Return A Taxing Woman's Return

1988

Kim's War Kim's War

1991

The Duel in the forbidden territory The Duel in the forbidden territory

1983

Monument to Holy Service Monument to Holy Service

1978

Battle Anthem Battle Anthem

1983

Zero Zero

1984

Shura Group Part 2 Shura Group Part 2

2002

Shura Group Part 1 Shura Group Part 1

2002

Ronin on a Mission Ronin on a Mission

1987

You're My Destiny You're My Destiny

1987

剣聖　暁の三十六番斬り 剣聖　暁の三十六番斬り

1957

The Imperial Japanese Empire The Imperial Japanese Empire

1982

Element of Surprise Element of Surprise

1963

Bond Girls Are Forever Bond Girls Are Forever

2002

Uragirimono wa jigoku daze Uragirimono wa jigoku daze

1962

Red Flowers of Hell Red Flowers of Hell

1961

The Exotic Locations of 'You Only Live Twice' The Exotic Locations of 'You Only Live Twice'

2006

Tokyo Drifters Tokyo Drifters

1966

Mysterious Clouds: Legend of Satomi's Heroic Deed Mysterious Clouds: Legend of Satomi's Heroic Deed

1957

Best Ever Bond Best Ever Bond

2002

You Only Live Twice You Only Live Twice

1967

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