Acting
Tetsuro Tamba
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
Teruo Ishii Fan Club
Film · 2006
Demon Pond
Film · 2005
Yoshitsune
Series · 2005
Capone: Roppongi Renkin no Teio
Film · 2004
The Thousand Year Fire
Film · 2004
Order Made ~Shiawase Iro no Shinshi Fuku Mise~
Series · 2004
Gozu
Film · 2003
A Case of Murder by the Atami Station Taxi Stand
Film · 2003
T.R.Y.
Film · 2003
Yakuza Demon
Film · 2003
Yumemiru Budo
Series · 2003
Deadly Outlaw: Rekka
Film · 2002
The Cat Returns
Film · 2002
The Happiness of the Katakuris
Film · 2002
Shura Group
Film · 2002
Shura Group Part 1
Film · 2002
Shura Group Part 2
Film · 2002
Graveyard of Honor
Film · 2002
The Twilight Samurai
Film · 2002
Toshiie and Matsu
Series · 2002
Ino Tadataka: Meridian Dreams
Film · 2001
Blind Beast vs Killer Dwarf
Film · 2001
The Making Of The Katakuris
Film · 2001
修羅のみち
Film · 2001
Sakuya: The Slayer of Demons
Film · 2000
A Class to Remember IV: Fifteen
Film · 2000
The Stupid Teacher
Film · 2000
Japanese Hell
Film · 1999
Jubaku: Spellbound
Film · 1999
Crayon Shin-chan: Explosion! The Hot Spring's Feel Good Final Battle
Film · 1999
The Veteran Trio
Series · 1999
Screwed
Film · 1998
The Peking Man
Film · 1997
Fujisawa Shuhei's Sparkling Sword: Puppeteer in the Shadows
Film · 1997
Kaseifu wa mita!
Series · 1997
Gokenin Zankuro
Series · 1995
Hashiran ka!
Series · 1995
Tetsuro Tamba’s Great Spiritual World 3: Amazing Reincarnation Story That Ran Around the Whole
Film · 1994
Psychic: Traveler to the Unknown
Film · 1994
Coming Home
Series · 1994
The Supernormal II
Film · 1993
Emperor of Upheaval
Film · 1993
新幹線物語'93夏
Series · 1993
Taira no Kiyomori
Film · 1992
Hanshichi Torimonochō
Series · 1992
Minamoto Yoshitsune
Film · 1991
Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky
Film · 1991
Heat Wave
Film · 1991
Kim's War
Film · 1991
Female Neo-Ninjas
Film · 1991
Yakuza Warfare
Film · 1991
The Great Shogunate Battle
Film · 1991
The Hitman: Blood Smells Like Roses
Film · 1991
源氏九郎颯爽記 秘剣揚羽の蝶
Film · 1991
The Tale of Genji
Series · 1991
13 Assassins
Film · 1990
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World 2: I was surprised when I died!!
Film · 1990
Under Aurora
Film · 1990
1750 Days of Turbulence
Film · 1990
Be-In Bully High School
Film · 1990
Yonimo Kimyou na Monogatari Tokubetsuhen
Series · 1990
HOTEL
Series · 1990
The Great White Tower
Series · 1990
長七郎江戸日記スペシャル 長七郎 大奥まかり通る
Film · 1989
The Political Game
Film · 1989
Shogun's Shadow
Film · 1989
Yakuza Ladies 3
Film · 1989
Four Days of Snow and Blood
Film · 1989
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World: What Happens When You Die
Film · 1989
Tokyo: The Last War
Film · 1989
Tokyo: The Last War
Film · 1989
The Ginger Tree
Series · 1989
Tokugawa Ieyasu – TBS Warlord Special
Film · 1988
A Taxing Woman's Return
Film · 1988
Tokyo Pop
Film · 1988
You're My Destiny
Film · 1987
Ronin on a Mission
Film · 1987
Tokyo Blackout
Film · 1987
There Goes Benio, the Smart Girl
Film · 1987
Night Train
Film · 1987
Shinran: Path to Purity
Film · 1987
Twilight of the Cockroaches
Film · 1987
Tabaruzaka
Series · 1987
April Fish
Film · 1986
Be Free!
Film · 1986
Cabaret
Film · 1986
Tokugawa Chronicles: Ambition of the 3 Branches
Series · 1986
Inochi
Series · 1986
Byakkotai
Series · 1986
The Sound of the Waves
Film · 1985
The Last True Yakuza
Film · 1985
Love: Starting on a Journey
Film · 1985
Vendetta of Obligation
Film · 1985
Sanada Taiheiki
Series · 1985
Kōgen ni ressha ga hashitta
Film · 1984
Zero
Film · 1984
Kukai
Film · 1984
Nezumi Kozō kaitō den
Film · 1984
Choshichiro's Edo Diaries: The Yagyu Conspiracy
Film · 1984
Fireflies in the North
Film · 1984
The Story of a Man Among Men
Film · 1984
Heaven Station
Film · 1984
水曜ドラマ 宮本武蔵
Series · 1984
Life of St. Blue Eyes
Series · 1984
Samon’s Hell Revenge: Unauthorised Jutte Records 2 - The Assassination of the Shogun
Film · 1983
The Tale of Saikaido
Film · 1983
The Duel in the Forbidden Territory
Film · 1983
Battle Anthem
Film · 1983
A Madcap Corporation
Film · 1983
The Geisha
Film · 1983
L・O・V・I・N・G
Film · 1983
Lady Vengeance and the 47 Ronin
Film · 1983
Masked Blade
Series · 1983
The Brave Man Says Little
Series · 1983
The Villain from Edo Kochiyama Soshun
Film · 1982
Onimasa: A Japanese Godfather
Film · 1982
The Imperial Japanese Empire
Film · 1982
Suspicion
Film · 1982
To Trap a Kidnapper
Film · 1982
Matsudaira Ukon Jikencho
Series · 1982
Marco Polo
Series · 1982
Flames of Blood
Film · 1981
The Wild Daisy
Film · 1981
Call from Darkness
Film · 1981
Samurai Reincarnation
Film · 1981
The Imperial Navy
Film · 1981
The Bushido Blade
Film · 1981
The Last Days of Planet Earth
Film · 1981
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga
Film · 1980
Shogun's Ninja
Film · 1980
The Way to The Gold Medals
Film · 1980
Port Arthur
Film · 1980
The Sand Boat
Film · 1980
Drive for the Future
Film · 1980
Hunter in the Dark
Film · 1979
Dead Angle
Film · 1979
Nichiren
Film · 1979
The Shogun Assassins
Film · 1979
Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron
Film · 1978
Monument to Holy Service
Film · 1978
Never Give Up
Film · 1978
August Without Emperor
Film · 1978
The Incident
Film · 1978
The Fall of Ako Castle
Film · 1978
Shogun's Samurai: The Yagyu Clan Conspiracy
Film · 1978
Message from Space
Film · 1978
Ōgon no Hibi
Series · 1978
Mount Hakkoda
Film · 1977
Flickering Flames
Film · 1977
The Alaska Story
Film · 1977
High Seas Hijack
Film · 1977
Sugata Sanshiro
Film · 1977
Zero Pilot
Film · 1976
Seven Nights in Japan
Film · 1976
Human Revolution II
Film · 1976
The Classroom of Terror
Film · 1976
Operation Plazma in Osaka
Film · 1976
Murderer!
Film · 1976
The Corporation
Film · 1976
Between Women and Wives
Film · 1976
A Picture of Madame Yuki
Film · 1975
Conflagration
Film · 1975
The International Gang of Kobe
Film · 1975
All Men Are Brothers
Film · 1975
The Bullet Train
Film · 1975
Company Buggers
Film · 1975
Tidal Wave
Film · 1975
G-Men '75
Series · 1975
The Castle of Sand
Film · 1974
Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs
Film · 1974
Violent Streets
Film · 1974
The Executioner II: Karate Inferno
Film · 1974
Prophecies of Nostradamus
Film · 1974
Karafuto 1945 Summer
Film · 1974
Secret Prophecies of Nostradamus
Film · 1974
The School Deviate Waru
Film · 1973
Submersion of Japan
Film · 1973
Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight
Film · 1973
Battles Without Honor and Humanity
Film · 1973
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War
Film · 1973
Quarreling with Yakuza
Film · 1973
The Ando Gang Documentary Film
Film · 1973
Wild Cop 2
Film · 1973
Japan's Top Gangster
Film · 1973
The Human Revolution
Film · 1973
Big Bad Wolf
Film · 1973
Eyeful Daisakusen
Series · 1973
The Water Margin
Film · 1972
Under the Flag of the Rising Sun
Film · 1972
Shadow Hunters 2: Echo of Destiny
Film · 1972
Shadow Hunters
Film · 1972
Shōwa Gokudōshi
Film · 1972
Yakuza Skirmishes
Film · 1972
Informal Dress
Film · 1972
Organized Crime: Killer's Glory
Film · 1972
New Abashiri Prison Story: Honor and Humanity, Ammunition That Attracts the Storm
Film · 1972
The Wolves
Film · 1971
King of Pornography
Film · 1971
Silence
Film · 1971
The Battle of Okinawa
Film · 1971
The Armed Organization
Film · 1971
The Gambler's Counterattack
Film · 1971
Troops of Darkness
Film · 1971
Cherry Blossoms in the Air - The Suicide Raiders - Oh, Buddies!
Film · 1970
Crimson Bat - Oichi: Wanted, Dead or Alive
Film · 1970
The Scandalous Adventures of Buraikan
Film · 1970
Men and War I: Prelude to Destiny
Film · 1970
Rise and Fall of Chivalry
Film · 1970
Postwar Secrets
Film · 1970
The 5-Man Army
Film · 1969
Goyokin
Film · 1969
Sky Scraper!
Film · 1969
Penitentiary Brothers
Film · 1969
The Private Police
Film · 1969
Red Peony Gambler: Biographies of a Gambling Room
Film · 1969
Japan's Violent Gangs: The Boss and the Killers
Film · 1969
Lone Rebel
Film · 1969
やくざ番外地 抹殺
Film · 1969
Thirteen Times a Loser
Film · 1969
Blackmail Is My Life
Film · 1968
The Code of Man
Film · 1968
The Bad Boss
Film · 1968
The Young Eagles of the Kamikaze
Film · 1968
Army Intelligence
Film · 1968
Gambler's Farewell
Film · 1968
Black Lizard
Film · 1968
Snake Woman's Curse
Film · 1968
Diamonds of the Andes
Film · 1968
Hot Vacation
Film · 1968
Key Hunter
Series · 1968
You Only Live Twice
Film · 1967
Hawk of the Harbour
Film · 1967
Gamblers: The Dragon Tattoo
Film · 1967
The Return of the Filthy Seven
Film · 1967
Organized Violence II
Film · 1967
King of the Gang
Film · 1967
Dissolution Rites
Film · 1967
Portrait of Chieko
Film · 1967
Once and For All
Film · 1967
Organized Violence
Film · 1967
Abashiri Prison: Duel in Hokkaido
Film · 1967
Game of Chance 3
Film · 1967
Escape Man
Film · 1967
Spycatcher J3: SOS Close Shave
Film · 1966
Continental Drifter
Film · 1966
Greatest Boss of the Showa Era
Film · 1966
Thirst for Love
Film · 1966
Sazen Tange and The Secret of the Urn
Film · 1966
The Kii River
Film · 1966
Kwaidan
Film · 1965
Tokyo Untouchable
Film · 1965
Samurai Spy
Film · 1965
Underworld Code
Film · 1965
The Gambler
Film · 1965
Abashiri Prison
Film · 1965
Blood of Revenge
Film · 1965
Blood and Law
Film · 1965
The Domain: Kanto Legends of Chivalry
Film · 1965
Tale of Ninja Duty
Film · 1965
High-Ranking Yakuza
Film · 1965
Tokyo Gang vs. Hong Kong Gang
Film · 1964
Revenge
Film · 1964
The 7th Dawn
Film · 1964
Three Outlaw Samurai
Film · 1964
Assassination
Film · 1964
Detective
Film · 1964
Homicide
Film · 1964
The Kingdom of Jirocho 3
Film · 1964
An Outlaw
Film · 1964
The Shogun's Vault
Film · 1964
Samurai from Somewhere
Film · 1964
Samurai from Nowhere
Film · 1964
Jakoman and Tetsu
Film · 1964
Destroyer Yukikaze
Film · 1964
Giant Rumble
Film · 1964
Gamblers and Racketeers
Film · 1964
Tokyo Untouchables
Film · 1964
Ninja Killers
Film · 1964
Futari dake no toride
Film · 1963
Kizu-darake no futeki-sha
Film · 1963
Tokyo Untouchable: Escape
Film · 1963
Element of Surprise
Film · 1963
Tange Sazen
Film · 1963
13 Assassins
Film · 1963
Eleven Gangsters
Film · 1963
Gang Loyalty and Vengeance
Film · 1963
Gang vs. G-Men: Safe Breakers
Film · 1963
Ano hito wa ima
Film · 1963
Operation Diamond
Film · 1962
South Pacific Waves Are High
Film · 1962
Umineko ga tonde
Film · 1962
Zankokuna tsuki
Film · 1962
Uragirimono wa jigoku daze
Film · 1962
The Challenge
Film · 1962
G-Men in the Pacific
Film · 1962
All Rascals
Film · 1962
Black and Red Flower Petals
Film · 1962
A Flame at the Pier
Film · 1962
Harakiri
Film · 1962
Gang vs. Gang
Film · 1962
Four Sisters
Film · 1962
Tales of Young Genji Kuro 3
Film · 1962
Gang vs. G-Men
Film · 1962
Hell's Kitchen
Film · 1962
Pigs and Battleships
Film · 1961
Bridge to the Sun
Film · 1961
Standing Towards the Great Forest
Film · 1961
Red Flowers of Hell
Film · 1961
Daredevil in the Castle
Film · 1961
Kaachan
Film · 1961
Greed in Broad Daylight
Film · 1961
The Yellow Climate
Film · 1961
Mist and Shadows
Film · 1961
Structure of Hate
Film · 1961
機動捜査班
Film · 1961
Kill the Killer!
Film · 1961
The Gambling Samurai
Film · 1960
Get 'em All
Film · 1960
Female Slave Ship
Film · 1960
Zero sen no jorō gun
Film · 1960
Showdown on Pier No.3
Film · 1960
Nude Woman and Murder Maze
Film · 1959
No Police
Film · 1959
The Pacific War and the International Military Tribunal
Film · 1959
Kingorō no kaigun taishô
Film · 1959
Kyōen Kobanzame
Film · 1958
Underwater Murder
Film · 1958
Quick on the Trigger
Film · 1958
A Wicked Woman
Film · 1958
Emperor & Empress Meiji and the Sino-Japanese War
Film · 1958
Bloody History of Soldiers
Film · 1958
Hibari's Triple Role: The Dazzling Transformation of Yukinojo
Film · 1957
Hibari's Triple Role: The Transformation of Yukinojo — Part II
Film · 1957
Mysterious Clouds: Legend of Satomi's Heroic Deed
Film · 1957
剣聖 暁の三十六番斬り
Film · 1957
Emperor Meiji and the Great Russo-Japanese War
Film · 1957
Queen of Asia
Film · 1957
The Ghost of Kasane
Film · 1957
Storming Osaka Castle: The Sanada Ten Braves
Film · 1957
Devil Princess’ Beauty Competition
Film · 1956
Kuronekokan ni Kieta Otoko
Film · 1956
President Rai of Kingoro
Film · 1956
The Fencing Collegian
Film · 1956
Kingoro's Soldier
Film · 1956
The Ceiling at Utsunomiya
Film · 1956
Speed King
Film · 1956
The Prosecutor and His Sister
Film · 1956
Admiral Yamamoto and the Allied Fleets
Film · 1956
Twilight Saloon
Film · 1955
Mysterious Dwarf
Film · 1955
The Sacrifice of the Human Torpedoes
Film · 1955
Hanamazu
Film · 1955
The Vassal's Neck
Film · 1955
Hanran
Film · 1954
Submarine Ro Hasn't Surfaced
Film · 1954
日本敗れず
Film · 1954