Tetsuro Tamba
Acting
Born: July 17, 1922 · Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
Died: September 24, 2006 (aged 84)
Highest Rated
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
You Only Live Twice
1967
The Cat Returns
2002
Harakiri
1962
Kwaidan
1965
Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky
1991
The Twilight Samurai
2002
Gozu
2003
The Happiness of the Katakuris
2002
Battles Without Honor and Humanity
1973
Three Outlaw Samurai
1964
Goyokin
1969
The Bullet Train
1975
Photos (3)
Movies (309)
You Only Live Twice
Tiger Tanaka
The Cat Returns
Cat King (voice)
Harakiri
Hikokuro Omodaka
Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky
Master Zhang
The Twilight Samurai
Tozaemon Iguchi
Kwaidan
Warrior (segment "Hoichi the Earless")
The Castle of Sand
Detective Eitaro Imanishi
The 5-Man Army
Samurai
Under the Flag of the Rising Sun
Sergeant Katsuo Togashi
Port Arthur
Gentaro Kodama
Samurai Reincarnation
Muramasa
Pigs and Battleships
Slasher Tetsuji
Prophecies of Nostradamus
Dr. Nishiyama
Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs
Nagumo
Goyokin
Rokugo Tatewaki
Heat Wave
Denkichi Tsuzaki
Crayon Shin-chan: Explosion! The Hot Spring's Feel Good Final Battle
Tamba (voice)
Mount Hakkoda
Colonel Kojima
Four Days of Snow and Blood
Jinzaburi Shinzaki
Submersion of Japan
Prime Minister Yamamoto
Sakuya: The Slayer of Demons
Old Master
The 7th Dawn
Ng
Fireflies in the North
Ishikura
The Bullet Train
Sunaga
Gozu
2003
Night Train
Isaburo Tamura
Shogun's Shadow
Hotta Masamori
Conflagration
Captain Munekata
The Imperial Navy
Jisaburo Ozawa
Samurai Spy
Sakon Takatani
The Geisha
Kochi Notable
Onimasa: A Japanese Godfather
Uichi Suda, The Big Boss
Three Outlaw Samurai
Sakon Shiba
Battles Without Honor and Humanity
1973
The Bushido Blade
Lord Yamato
Tokyo Pop
Mr. Dota
Karafuto 1945 Summer
1974
Love: Starting on a Journey
1985
The Happiness of the Katakuris
Granpa Jinpei Katakuri
Deadly Outlaw: Rekka
Sanada
A Picture of Madame Yuki
1975
Giant Rumble
1964
Abashiri Prison
Tsumaki
Battle Anthem
Yamamoto
Silence
Cristóvão Ferreira
Black Lizard
Kuroki
Thirteen Times a Loser
Shinji Kaizuka
A Taxing Woman's Return
Sadohara
Jubaku: Spellbound
Tajiro Kawakami
Shogun's Ninja
Tozawa Hakuunsai
Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight
Shino
The Political Game
1989
Message from Space
Ernest Noguchi
Shogun's Samurai: The Yagyu Clan Conspiracy
Ogasawara Gensinsai
The Water Margin
Jade Unicorn, Lu Chun I
Screwed
Landlord
The Battle of Okinawa
Lieutenant General Isamu Cho
High Seas Hijack
Captain Munekata
Emperor Meiji and the Great Russo-Japanese War
Rear Admiral Shimamura
Violent Streets
Shimamura
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War
Tatsuo Akashi
You're My Destiny
1987
August Without Emperor
Army General Mikami
Men and War I: Prelude to Destiny
1970
The Last True Yakuza
Kazumasa Tashiro
Tokyo Blackout
Nakata
Graveyard of Honor
Tetsuji Tokura
Greed in Broad Daylight
Miyahara
All Men Are Brothers
Lu Chun I
The Challenge
Takayama
13 Assassins
Doi Ōkō Toshi
Suspicion
Kanetaka Okamura
Operation Plazma in Osaka
1976
Shadow Hunters 2: Echo of Destiny
Kagemetsuke
The Great Shogunate Battle
1991
The Shogun Assassins
Kato Kiyomasa
The Fall of Ako Castle
Yanagisawa
Twilight of the Cockroaches
Grandpa (voice)
The Human Revolution
Josei Toda
The Kii River
Shintani Kosaku
Twilight Saloon
Morimoto
There Goes Benio, the Smart Girl
1987
The Story of a Man Among Men
1984
Shadow Hunters
1972
The Last Days of Planet Earth
Dr. Nishiyama
The Wild Daisy
Gozaburo Saito
Organized Violence II
Police Inspector Kitagawa
Samurai from Nowhere
Gunjuro Ohba
The Scandalous Adventures of Buraikan
Soshun Kochiyama
Dissolution Rites
Sakai
Sugata Sanshiro
Iinuma
Bridge to the Sun
Jiro
Snake Woman's Curse
Commander
The Imperial Japanese Empire
Hideki Tojo
To Trap a Kidnapper
1982
Samurai from Somewhere
Masagi Shohei
Blackmail Is My Life
1968
Never Give Up
General Wada
Heaven Station
1984
Company Buggers
1975
Yakuza Ladies 3
Takeo Sakanishi
Red Peony Gambler: Biographies of a Gambling Room
1969
Portrait of Chieko
Kotaro Takamura
Zero Pilot
Captain Saito
The Wolves
Genryu Asakura
The International Gang of Kobe
Rinsei
Tokugawa Ieyasu – TBS Warlord Special
1988
Quarreling with Yakuza
1973
Cherry Blossoms in the Air - The Suicide Raiders - Oh, Buddies!
1970
Get 'em All
Tanabe
The Domain: Kanto Legends of Chivalry
1965
A Madcap Corporation
Yoshiteru Suma (Suma-gumi Boss)
Hunter in the Dark
Okitsugu Tanuma
Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron
Kichibei
Call from Darkness
Sugibayashi
Assassination
Hachiro Kiyokawa
13 Assassins
1990
The Hitman: Blood Smells Like Roses
1991
Yakuza Demon
Michitane Tendou
Gamblers: The Dragon Tattoo
1967
Be-In Bully High School
Ryotaro Sakurazawa
Ronin on a Mission
Ōishi Kuranosuke
Blind Beast vs Killer Dwarf
2001
The Stupid Teacher
Utaemon Baba
Tokyo: The Last War
Kanaami Kohou
Tokyo: The Last War
Kan'ami Kouou
The Executioner II: Karate Inferno
Kimitake Shugi / Moroki
The Young Eagles of the Kamikaze
1968
Cabaret
Yakuza boss
T.R.Y.
2003
Between Women and Wives
1976
Seven Nights in Japan
Terrorist Leader (uncredited)
The Way to The Gold Medals
President Sakakibara
Revenge
Shume Okuno
G-Men in the Pacific
Mizuhara
Daredevil in the Castle
Sadamasa Ishikawa
Dead Angle
1979
Drive for the Future
Akiji Nishikawa
The School Deviate Waru
1973
Once and For All
1967
Tales of Young Genji Kuro 3
1962
Tokyo Untouchable
Goro Kawamoto
Fujisawa Shuhei's Sparkling Sword: Puppeteer in the Shadows
1997
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga
Tatsuo Akashi
The Ando Gang Documentary Film
1973
Blood of Revenge
Yutaro Nomura
A Class to Remember IV: Fifteen
Tetsuo Hatake
The Private Police
1969
South Pacific Waves Are High
1962
Japan's Top Gangster
Noboru Yamaguchi
The Pacific War and the International Military Tribunal
1959
Demon Pond
2005
1750 Days of Turbulence
1990
A Flame at the Pier
1962
The Gambler's Counterattack
Chief Inspector
The Return of the Filthy Seven
1967
Zero
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
Kukai
1984
The Ghost of Kasane
Jinjûrô Ômura
The Incident
Lawyer Kikuchi
The Classroom of Terror
1976
Gamblers and Racketeers
1964
Shōwa Gokudōshi
1972
Gambler's Farewell
Tetsuji Kasai
Element of Surprise
1963
Yakuza Warfare
1991
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World: What Happens When You Die
吉野博士
Hot Vacation
1968
Ino Tadataka: Meridian Dreams
2001
Submarine Ro Hasn't Surfaced
1954
Under Aurora
Tsuneiro Kamisaka
Nezumi Kozō kaitō den
1984
Teruo Ishii Fan Club
2006
Taira no Kiyomori
1992
The Corporation
Kawamata
Game of Chance 3
1967
Emperor of Upheaval
1993
Japan's Violent Gangs: The Boss and the Killers
1969
Hawk of the Harbour
1967
Kōgen ni ressha ga hashitta
1984
Japanese Hell
Asu Shino
The Supernormal II
1993
Troops of Darkness
1971
The Gambling Samurai
Fumizo Mitsuki
New Abashiri Prison Story: Honor and Humanity, Ammunition That Attracts the Storm
1972
Shura Group Part 2
2002
Army Intelligence
Lieutenant Colonel Akiyama
Organized Violence
1967
The Duel in the Forbidden Territory
1983
Jakoman and Tetsu
Jakoman
April Fish
Panapora Chief Handa
Sazen Tange and The Secret of the Urn
Lord Tsushima Yagyu
Bloody History of Soldiers
Shumei Okawa
Tokyo Untouchables
1964
Abashiri Prison: Duel in Hokkaido
1967
Tale of Ninja Duty
Mumyo Tsunataro
Capone: Roppongi Renkin no Teio
2004
Penitentiary Brothers
1969
Lone Rebel
1969
The Bad Boss
1968
The Sound of the Waves
1985
A Wicked Woman
Ihei Ôsawa
Gang Loyalty and Vengeance
Gu Shimizu
Standing Towards the Great Forest
1961
Tidal Wave
Prime Minister Yamato
The Armed Organization
1971
Tokyo Gang vs. Hong Kong Gang
1964
The Gambler
1965
Female Neo-Ninjas
Time Patrol leader
The Sacrifice of the Human Torpedoes
1955
Homicide
Lieutenant Aikawa
Big Bad Wolf
1973
Continental Drifter
1966
The Making Of The Katakuris
2001
Admiral Yamamoto and the Allied Fleets
1956
Be Free!
Keizo Hasegawa
Psychic: Traveler to the Unknown
1994
Kill the Killer!
Narumi
日本敗れず
1954
Shura Group
2002
Rise and Fall of Chivalry
1970
Hanran
Captain Koda
Detective
1964
Vendetta of Obligation
1985
Flames of Blood
1981
Mist and Shadows
Yusuke Komiya
Human Revolution II
1976
Lady Vengeance and the 47 Ronin
1983
Mysterious Clouds: Legend of Satomi's Heroic Deed
Aboshi Samajirô
Tange Sazen
1963
Hell's Kitchen
1962
King of the Gang
1967
The Alaska Story
Arashuk
The Code of Man
1968
Hanamazu
1955
Organized Crime: Killer's Glory
1972
King of Pornography
1971
The Ceiling at Utsunomiya
Kurozumi Tenzen
長七郎江戸日記スペシャル 長七郎 大奥まかり通る
1989
Kingorō no kaigun taishô
1959
The Kingdom of Jirocho 3
1964
Tokyo Untouchable: Escape
Goro Kawamoto
Murderer!
Nīto Kouken
Gang vs. Gang
1962
The Yellow Climate
1961
Structure of Hate
1961
Shinran: Path to Purity
1987
Wild Cop 2
1973
The Shogun's Vault
1964
Zankokuna tsuki
1962
All Rascals
1962
Crimson Bat - Oichi: Wanted, Dead or Alive
Hyoe
Eleven Gangsters
1963
Gang vs. G-Men
Toru Tezuka
Devil Princess’ Beauty Competition
1956
Thirst for Love
Kosuke Aso
Red Flowers of Hell
1961
Postwar Secrets
Kuroki
Emperor & Empress Meiji and the Sino-Japanese War
Keisuke Otori
Female Slave Ship
1960
Diamonds of the Andes
1968
Flickering Flames
1977
Ano hito wa ima
1963
Operation Diamond
Kazuo Kasami
Monument to Holy Service
1978
Queen of Asia
1957
The Peking Man
Osone
Futari dake no toride
1963
Gang vs. G-Men: Safe Breakers
手塚徹
機動捜査班
1961
Sky Scraper!
1969
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World 2: I was surprised when I died!!
Ryo Okamoto
Greatest Boss of the Showa Era
1966
Kim's War
1991
Spycatcher J3: SOS Close Shave
J1 (TULIP Japan Branch Chief)
High-Ranking Yakuza
1965
Nichiren
1979
Umineko ga tonde
1962
Mysterious Dwarf
1955
An Outlaw
1964
Hibari's Triple Role: The Dazzling Transformation of Yukinojo
1957
Blood and Law
1965
Yakuza Skirmishes
1972
Destroyer Yukikaze
1964
Choshichiro's Edo Diaries: The Yagyu Conspiracy
Yagyu Munefuyu
やくざ番外地 抹殺
1969
The Prosecutor and His Sister
1956
Uragirimono wa jigoku daze
1962
Kizu-darake no futeki-sha
1963
The Sand Boat
1980
Quick on the Trigger
1958
Storming Osaka Castle: The Sanada Ten Braves
Mondonoshô Hirano
Escape Man
1967
Kuronekokan ni Kieta Otoko
1956
Zero sen no jorō gun
1960
Showdown on Pier No.3
Kirishima
Underworld Code
1965
Hibari's Triple Role: The Transformation of Yukinojo — Part II
1957
L・O・V・I・N・G
1983
The Thousand Year Fire
2004
The Tale of Saikaido
1983
剣聖 暁の三十六番斬り
1957
Informal Dress
1972
Four Sisters
Masao Igarashi
Ninja Killers
1964
The Villain from Edo Kochiyama Soshun
1982
修羅のみち
2001
Tetsuro Tamba’s Great Spiritual World 3: Amazing Reincarnation Story That Ran Around the Whole
1994
源氏九郎颯爽記 秘剣揚羽の蝶
1991
TV Shows (27)
Yonimo Kimyou na Monogatari Tokubetsuhen
5 eps
G-Men '75
黒木警視 · 354 eps
Hashiran ka!
前田米吉 · 151 eps
Key Hunter
黒木鉄也 · 262 eps
HOTEL
Ohara Tetsutaro · 85 eps
Yoshitsune
Minamoto no Yorimasa (Gen-ji) · 49 eps
Ōgon no Hibi
Imai Sōkyū · 51 eps
Toshiie and Matsu
Tarozaemon Iguchi · 51 eps
Marco Polo
Vasaio · 2 eps
Masked Blade
118 eps
Matsudaira Ukon Jikencho
73 eps
Inochi
Takahara Masamichi · 50 eps
Gokenin Zankuro
8 eps
水曜ドラマ 宮本武蔵
平田無二斎 · 45 eps
Sanada Taiheiki
Sanada Masayuki · 45 eps
The Ginger Tree
Hirushi Tsushima · 1 eps
Life of St. Blue Eyes
Takeyoshi Takagi · 1 eps
新幹線物語'93夏
黒木哲也 · 12 eps
Byakkotai
Jinbo Kuranosuke · 2 eps
Tokugawa Chronicles: Ambition of the 3 Branches
Naruse Hayatonosho · 13 eps
The Tale of Genji
2 eps
Hanshichi Torimonochō
2 eps
The Great White Tower
Professor Ukai · 2 eps
The Veteran Trio
Inui Sanshiro · 9 eps
The Brave Man Says Little
4 eps
Eyeful Daisakusen
17 eps
Tabaruzaka
Ôyama Tunayoshi · 2 eps
Directing (2)
Writing (5)
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World: What Happens When You Die
Story
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World: What Happens When You Die
Screenplay
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World 2: I was surprised when I died!!
Screenplay
The Sand Boat
Screenplay
Tetsuro Tamba’s Great Spiritual World 3: Amazing Reincarnation Story That Ran Around the Whole
Screenplay