Tetsuro Tamba

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.
    Known for
    Acting
    Place of birth
    Tokyo, Japan
    Birthday
    7/17/1922
You Only Live Twice
You Only Live Twice
6.6
Minamoto Yoshitsune
5
Kwaidan
Kwaidan
7.7
Operation Diamond
Operation Diamond
0
Spycatcher J3: SOS Close Shave
Spycatcher J3: SOS Close Shave
6
Pigs and Battleships
Pigs and Battleships
7.1
Tokyo Gang Vs. Hong Kong Gang
Tokyo Gang Vs. Hong Kong Gang
0
Demon Pond
Demon Pond
6.2
South Pacific Waves Are High
South Pacific Waves Are High
0
Gozu
Gozu
6.8
The Wolves
The Wolves
7.3
King of Pornography
King of Pornography
5.9
The Castle of Sand
The Castle of Sand
7.3
Deadly Outlaw: Rekka
Deadly Outlaw: Rekka
6.7
Hawk of the Harbour
Hawk of the Harbour
0
Tokyo Untouchable
Tokyo Untouchable
0
The Cat Returns
The Cat Returns
7.1
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
0
The Water Margin
The Water Margin
6.6
13 Assassins
13 Assassins
7
Under the Flag of the Rising Sun
Under the Flag of the Rising Sun
7.5
Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs
Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs
6.4
Futari dake no toride
Futari dake no toride
0
The Happiness of the Katakuris
The Happiness of the Katakuris
6.9
Hunter in the Dark
Hunter in the Dark
6.5
Cherry Blossoms in the Air - The Suicide Raiders - Oh, Buddies!
Cherry Blossoms in the Air - The Suicide Raiders - Oh, Buddies!
0
The 5-Man Army
The 5-Man Army
6.6
Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky
Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky
6.8
Violent Streets
Violent Streets
6.5
Samurai Spy
Samurai Spy
6.6
Goyokin
Goyokin
7.5
The Peking Man
The Peking Man
3
Gamblers: The Dragon Tattoo
Gamblers: The Dragon Tattoo
0
Hibari no san'yaku: Zoku Kei tsuya yuki no jôhenge
Hibari no san'yaku: Zoku Kei tsuya yuki no jôhenge
0
Hibari no san'yaku: Kei tsuya yuki no jôhenge
Hibari no san'yaku: Kei tsuya yuki no jôhenge
0
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!!
0
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
0
The Political Game
The Political Game
0
Silence
Silence
7.2
Revenge
Revenge
7.5
The Sound of the Waves
The Sound of the Waves
0
The School Deviate Waru
The School Deviate Waru
0
The 7th Dawn
The 7th Dawn
6.4
Shadow Hunters 2: Echo of Destiny
Shadow Hunters 2: Echo of Destiny
7
Shadow Hunters
Shadow Hunters
6.5
Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron
Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron
6.2
Three Outlaw Samurai
Three Outlaw Samurai
7.5
Japanese Hell
Japanese Hell
4.2
The Executioner II: Karate Inferno
The Executioner II: Karate Inferno
5.4
Assassination
Assassination
7.1
鬼姫競艶録
鬼姫競艶録
0
Submersion of Japan
Submersion of Japan
6.7
Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight
Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight
6.6
Umineko ga tonde
Umineko ga tonde
0
Blackmail Is My Life
Blackmail Is My Life
6.4
Samon’s Hell Revenge: Unauthorised Jutte Records 2 - The Assassination of the Shogun
0
Tokugawa Ieyasu – TBS Warlord Special
Tokugawa Ieyasu – TBS Warlord Special
0
Screwed
Screwed
4.9
The Villain from Edo Kochiyama Soshun
The Villain from Edo Kochiyama Soshun
0
Mount Hakkoda
Mount Hakkoda
6.8
Heat Wave
Heat Wave
5.8
Twilight Saloon
Twilight Saloon
8
Aurora Borealis
Aurora Borealis
4.1
Bridge to the Sun
Bridge to the Sun
6.8
The Tale of Genji
The Tale of Genji
0
The Tale of Saikaido
The Tale of Saikaido
0
Prophecies of Nostradamus
Prophecies of Nostradamus
5.7
Zero Fighter
Zero Fighter
4.2
Crimson Bat - Oichi: Wanted, Dead or Alive
Crimson Bat - Oichi: Wanted, Dead or Alive
7.3
Ino Tadataka: Meridian dreams
Ino Tadataka: Meridian dreams
0
Ankoku gai jingi
Ankoku gai jingi
0
Zankokuna tsuki
Zankokuna tsuki
0
The White Tiger Battalion
The White Tiger Battalion
0
The Scandalous Adventures of Buraikan
The Scandalous Adventures of Buraikan
6.8
Dai shinrin ni mukatte tatsu
Dai shinrin ni mukatte tatsu
0
Shōwa Gokudōshi
Shōwa Gokudōshi
0
Kuronekokan ni Kieta Otoko
Kuronekokan ni Kieta Otoko
0
Detective
Detective
0
Homicide
Homicide
0
Hanran
Hanran
0
Kōgen ni ressha ga hashitta
Kōgen ni ressha ga hashitta
0
Men and War I: Prelude to Destiny
Men and War I: Prelude to Destiny
6.6
A Taxing Woman's Return
A Taxing Woman's Return
6.2
Capone: Roppongi Renkin no Teio
Capone: Roppongi Renkin no Teio
0
Shogun's Shadow
Shogun's Shadow
6.8
The Return of the Filthy Seven
The Return of the Filthy Seven
0
The Gambler
The Gambler
0
Sky Scraper!
Sky Scraper!
0
Kizu-darake no futeki-sha
Kizu-darake no futeki-sha
0
Tokyo Untouchable: Escape
Tokyo Untouchable: Escape
0
The Code of Man
The Code of Man
0
Onimasa: A Japanese Godfather
Onimasa: A Japanese Godfather
6.3
The Kingdom of Jirocho 3
The Kingdom of Jirocho 3
0
Shura Group
Shura Group
0
Kim's War
Kim's War
0
The Duel in the forbidden territory
The Duel in the forbidden territory
0
Red Flowers of Hell
Red Flowers of Hell
0
Uragirimono wa jigoku daze
Uragirimono wa jigoku daze
0
Bond Girls Are Forever
Bond Girls Are Forever
5.8
The Exotic Locations of 'You Only Live Twice'
6
Tokyo Drifters
Tokyo Drifters
0
Best Ever Bond
5
Mysterious Clouds: Legend of Satomi's Heroic Deed
Mysterious Clouds: Legend of Satomi's Heroic Deed
0
Element of Surprise
Element of Surprise
0
The Imperial Japanese Empire
The Imperial Japanese Empire
5.5
Zero
Zero
4.2
Battle Anthem
Battle Anthem
7
Monument to Holy Service
Monument to Holy Service
0
Shura Group Part 1
0
剣聖 暁の三十六番斬り
剣聖 暁の三十六番斬り
0
You're My Destiny
You're My Destiny
6
Ronin on a Mission
0
雪夫人繪圖
雪夫人繪圖
0
Seven Nights in Japan
Seven Nights in Japan
6.5
The Gambling Samurai
The Gambling Samurai
6.3
Never Give Up
Never Give Up
5.7
Battles Without Honor and Humanity
Battles Without Honor and Humanity
7.4
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga
6.7
April Fish
April Fish
1
Tokyo Blackout
Tokyo Blackout
5
The Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa
7.5
Sakuya: The Slayer of Demons
Sakuya: The Slayer of Demons
6.2
Graveyard of Honor
Graveyard of Honor
6.2
Blind Beast vs Dwarf Killer
Blind Beast vs Dwarf Killer
3.5
A Class to Remember IV: Fifteen
A Class to Remember IV: Fifteen
9
Jubaku: Spellbound
Jubaku: Spellbound
6
Psychic: Traveler to the Unknown
Psychic: Traveler to the Unknown
0
Female Neo-Ninjas
Female Neo-Ninjas
4
Tokyo Pop
Tokyo Pop
7.4
Night Train
Night Train
1
There Goes Benio, the Smart Girl
There Goes Benio, the Smart Girl
6
Be Free!
0
Shogun's Ninja
Shogun's Ninja
6.1
Dead Angle
Dead Angle
7
August without Emperor
August without Emperor
7
Flickering Flames
Flickering Flames
10
A Madcap Corporation
A Madcap Corporation
0
Suspicion
Suspicion
6.7
Queen of Asia
Queen of Asia
6
Kingoro's Soldier
0
金語楼の雷社長
0
Emperor Meiji and the Great Russo-Japanese War
Emperor Meiji and the Great Russo-Japanese War
0
The Fencing Collegian
0
Kyōen Kobanzame
0
Army Intelligence
0
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War
7.2
The Shogun's Vault
The Shogun's Vault
6.5
An Outlaw
An Outlaw
4.8
The Bad Boss
The Bad Boss
0
The Young Eagles of the Kamikaze
The Young Eagles of the Kamikaze
6
G-Men in the Pacific
G-Men in the Pacific
6
The Challenge
The Challenge
7
All Rascals
All Rascals
0
Kuro to aka no hanabira
0
Tange Sazen
Tange Sazen
0
Daredevil in the Castle
Daredevil in the Castle
7.4
Rajo to satsujin-meiro
0
Mukeisatsu
0
Kukai
Kukai
9
Flames of Blood
Flames of Blood
7
Conflagration
Conflagration
4
High Seas Hijack
High Seas Hijack
10
The Alaska Story
The Alaska Story
6
Human Revolution II
Human Revolution II
0
Greatest Boss of the Showa Era
Greatest Boss of the Showa Era
0
Samurai from Somewhere
Samurai from Somewhere
7
Samurai from Nowhere
Samurai from Nowhere
7.1
Gang vs. Gang
Gang vs. Gang
7
Underwater Murder
0
Quick on the Trigger
8
The Ceiling at Utsunomiya
The Ceiling at Utsunomiya
5.8
Submarine Ro Hasn't Surfaced
0
Speed King
0
Harakiri
Harakiri
8.4
A Flame at the Pier
A Flame at the Pier
6
Abashiri Prison
Abashiri Prison
7
The Wild Daisy
The Wild Daisy
6
Call from Darkness
Call from Darkness
5.7
Shinran: Path to Purity
Shinran: Path to Purity
5
Nezumi Kozō kaitō den
Nezumi Kozō kaitō den
0
Choshichiro's Edo Diaries: The Yagyu Conspiracy
Choshichiro's Edo Diaries: The Yagyu Conspiracy
0
The Pacific War and the International Military Tribunal
The Pacific War and the International Military Tribunal
0
Kaachan
0
Kingorō no kaigun taishô
Kingorō no kaigun taishô
0
The Incident
The Incident
6.3
Gambler's Farewell
Gambler's Farewell
6
The International Gang of Kobe
The International Gang of Kobe
5.7
Mysterious Pygmy
Mysterious Pygmy
0
All Men Are Brothers
All Men Are Brothers
6.8
Nichiren
Nichiren
0
Thirst for Love
Thirst for Love
5.5
Yakuza Ladies 3
Yakuza Ladies 3
0
Jakoman and Tetsu
Jakoman and Tetsu
6
Greed in Broad Daylight
Greed in Broad Daylight
7
The Bullet Train
The Bullet Train
6.8
Blood of Revenge
Blood of Revenge
6.6
The Ghost of Kasane
The Ghost of Kasane
6.7
A Wicked Woman
A Wicked Woman
6.5
Four Sisters
Four Sisters
6
Organized Violence II
Organized Violence II
6
Four Days of Snow and Blood
Four Days of Snow and Blood
6.9
King of the Gang
King of the Gang
0
Penitentiary Brothers
Penitentiary Brothers
0
The Private Police
The Private Police
7
Tales of Young Genji Kuro 3
Tales of Young Genji Kuro 3
7.2
The Way to The Gold Medals
The Way to The Gold Medals
0
Fireflies in the North
Fireflies in the North
5.3
The Last True Yakuza
The Last True Yakuza
4.8
Gang vs. G-Men
Gang vs. G-Men
6
Dissolution Rites
Dissolution Rites
6
Yakuza Skirmishes
Yakuza Skirmishes
0
Quarreling with Yakuza
Quarreling with Yakuza
5
Black Lizard
Black Lizard
6.7
The Ando Gang Documentary Film
The Ando Gang Documentary Film
6
Portrait of Chieko
Portrait of Chieko
0
Crayon Shin-chan: Explosion! The Hot Spring's Feel Good Final Battle
Crayon Shin-chan: Explosion! The Hot Spring's Feel Good Final Battle
6.7
Shogun's Samurai
Shogun's Samurai
7
The Fall of Ako Castle
The Fall of Ako Castle
6.6
Samurai Reincarnation
Samurai Reincarnation
5.9
13 Assassins
13 Assassins
7.4
Wild Cop 2
Wild Cop 2
6.5
Sazen Tange and The Secret of the Urn
Sazen Tange and The Secret of the Urn
6.6
The Geisha
The Geisha
6.4
The Imperial Navy
The Imperial Navy
6.6
The Yellow Climate
The Yellow Climate
0
The Classroom of Terror
The Classroom of Terror
6
The Armed Organization
The Armed Organization
8
Red Peony Gambler: Biographies of a Gambling Room
Red Peony Gambler: Biographies of a Gambling Room
5.9
To Trap a Kidnapper
To Trap a Kidnapper
6
Eleven Gangsters
Eleven Gangsters
0
Port Arthur
Port Arthur
7.6
Twilight of the Cockroaches
Twilight of the Cockroaches
6.1
The Shogun Assassins
The Shogun Assassins
5
Get 'em All
Get 'em All
6
L・O・V・I・N・G
L・O・V・I・N・G
0
The Thousand Year Fire
The Thousand Year Fire
0
Once and For All
Once and For All
0
A Case of Murder by the Atami Station Taxi Stand
0
The Story of a Man Among Men
The Story of a Man Among Men
6
Destroyer Yukikaze
Destroyer Yukikaze
0
Blood and Law
Blood and Law
0
Rise and Fall of Chivalry
Rise and Fall of Chivalry
6.5
The Gambler's Counterattack
The Gambler's Counterattack
7
Organized Violence
Organized Violence
6
Informal Dress
Informal Dress
0
Japan's Violent Gangs: The Boss and the Killers
Japan's Violent Gangs: The Boss and the Killers
0
The Kii River
The Kii River
8
Gang Loyalty and Vengeance
Gang Loyalty and Vengeance
5
Mist and Shadows
Mist and Shadows
0
The Sacrifice of the Human Torpedoes
The Sacrifice of the Human Torpedoes
0
Female Slave Ship
Female Slave Ship
6
The Sand Boat
The Sand Boat
0
Japan's Top Gangster
Japan's Top Gangster
0
Operation Plazma in Osaka
Operation Plazma in Osaka
6.5
The Twilight Samurai
The Twilight Samurai
7.8
Organized Crime: Killer's Glory
Organized Crime: Killer's Glory
0
1750 Days of Turbulence
1750 Days of Turbulence
8.5
Abashiri Prison: Duel in Hokkaido
Abashiri Prison: Duel in Hokkaido
0
Postwar Secrets
Postwar Secrets
10
The Domain: Kanto Legends of Chivalry
The Domain: Kanto Legends of Chivalry
6
Murderer!
Murderer!
7
The Bushido Blade
The Bushido Blade
5.4
Love: Starting on a Journey
Love: Starting on a Journey
2.5
Tale of Ninja Duty
Tale of Ninja Duty
1
Emperor & Empress Meiji and the Sino-Japanese War
Emperor & Empress Meiji and the Sino-Japanese War
0
Karafuto 1945 Summer
Karafuto 1945 Summer
8.5
Yakuza Warfare
Yakuza Warfare
6
School Be-In Bully
School Be-In Bully
0
Vendetta of Obligation
Vendetta of Obligation
0
The Great Duel
The Great Duel
6
The Human Revolution
The Human Revolution
0
The Making Of The Katakuris
The Making Of The Katakuris
6
Game of Chance 3
Game of Chance 3
6
Company Buggers
Company Buggers
7
Gamblers and Racketeers
Gamblers and Racketeers
0
New Abashiri Prison Story: Honor and Humanity, Ammunition That Attracts the Storm
New Abashiri Prison Story: Honor and Humanity, Ammunition That Attracts the Storm
0
Cabaret
Cabaret
4.7
Secret Prophecies of Nostradamus
0
Message from Space
Message from Space
5.8
The Stupid Teacher
The Stupid Teacher
0
The Supernormal II
The Supernormal II
4
Sugata Sanshiro
0
Troops of Darkness
Troops of Darkness
6
Teruo Ishii Fan Club
Teruo Ishii Fan Club
0
Taira no Kiyomori
Taira no Kiyomori
0
The Great Shogunate Battle
The Great Shogunate Battle
5.7
Gang and G-Men Part 2
Gang and G-Men Part 2
0
Lone Rebel
Lone Rebel
0
The Corporation
The Corporation
1
T.R.Y.
T.R.Y.
7
Hell's Kitchen
Hell's Kitchen
0
Drive for the Future
Drive for the Future
0
花眞珠
花眞珠
0
Tabaruzaka
Tabaruzaka
0
The Prosecutor and His Sister
The Prosecutor and His Sister
0
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World: What Happens When You Die
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World: What Happens When You Die
0
Admiral Yamamoto and the Allied Fleets
Admiral Yamamoto and the Allied Fleets
0
The Hitman Blood Smells Like Roses
The Hitman Blood Smells Like Roses
5.2
Zero sen no jorō gun
Zero sen no jorō gun
0
Snake Woman's Curse
Snake Woman's Curse
6.1
Tokyo: The Last War
Tokyo: The Last War
7.2
Yakuza Demon
Yakuza Demon
6
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