Tetsuro Tamba
Known For: Acting
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: July 17, 1922
Day of Death: September 24, 2006 (84 years old)
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.
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
Actor Sanada
Deadly Outlaw: Rekka
Actor Cat King (voice)
The Cat Returns
Actor Granpa Jinpei Katakuri
The Happiness of the Katakuris
Actor
Shura Group
Actor Tiger Tanaka (archive footage) (uncredited)
Bond Girls Are Forever
Actor Tiger Tanaka (archive footage) (uncredited)
Best Ever Bond
Actor
Shura Group Part 2
Actor
Shura Group Part 1
Actor Tetsuji Tokura
Graveyard of Honor
Actor Tozaemon Iguchi
The Twilight Samurai
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1994
Actor
Tetsuro Tamba’s Great Spiritual World 3: Amazing Reincarnation Story That Ran Around the Whole
Actor
Psychic: Traveler to the Unknown
Screenplay
Tetsuro Tamba’s Great Spiritual World 3: Amazing Reincarnation Story That Ran Around the Whole
Director
Tetsuro Tamba’s Great Spiritual World 3: Amazing Reincarnation Story That Ran Around the Whole
1993
1992
1991
1990
Actor
13 Assassins
Actor Ryo Okamoto
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World 2: I was surprised when I died!!
Actor Tsuneiro Kamisaka
Aurora Borealis
Actor
1750 Days of Turbulence
Actor Ryotaro Sakurazawa
School Be-In Bully
Executive Producer
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World 2: I was surprised when I died!!
Screenplay
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World 2: I was surprised when I died!!
1989
Actor
長七郎江戸日記スペシャル 長七郎 大奥まかり通る
Actor
The Political Game
Actor Hotta Masamori
Shogun's Shadow
Actor Takeo Sakanishi
Yakuza Ladies 3
Actor Jinzaburi Shinzaki
Four Days of Snow and Blood
Actor 吉野博士
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World: What Happens When You Die
Actor Kanaami Kohou
Tokyo: The Last War
Idea
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World: What Happens When You Die
General Manager
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World: What Happens When You Die
Writer
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World: What Happens When You Die
1988
1987
1986
1985
1984
1983
1982
1981
1980
Actor Tatsuo Akashi
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga
Actor Tozawa Hakuunsai
Shogun's Ninja
Actor President Sakakibara
The Way to The Gold Medals
Actor Gentaro Kodama
Port Arthur
Actor
The Sand Boat
Actor Akiji Nishikawa
Drive for the Future
Executive Producer
The Sand Boat
Screenplay
The Sand Boat
Director
The Sand Boat
1979
1978
1977
1976
1975
1974
1973
Actor
The School Deviate Waru
Actor Prime Minister Yamamoto
Submersion of Japan
Actor Shino
Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight
Actor
Battles Without Honor and Humanity
Actor Tatsuo Akashi
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War
Actor
Quarreling with Yakuza
Actor
The Ando Gang Documentary Film
Actor
Wild Cop 2
Actor Noboru Yamaguchi
Japan's Top Gangster
Actor
The Human Revolution
1972
Actor Jade Unicorn, Lu Chun I
The Water Margin
Actor Sergeant Katsuo Togashi
Under the Flag of the Rising Sun
Actor Kagemetsuke
Shadow Hunters 2: Echo of Destiny
Actor
Shadow Hunters
Actor
Shōwa Gokudōshi
Actor
Yakuza Skirmishes
Actor
Informal Dress
Actor
Organized Crime: Killer's Glory
Actor
New Abashiri Prison Story: Honor and Humanity, Ammunition That Attracts the Storm
1971
1970
1969
1968
1967
Actor Tiger Tanaka
You Only Live Twice
Actor
Hawk of the Harbour
Actor
Gamblers: The Dragon Tattoo
Actor
The Return of the Filthy Seven
Actor Police Inspector Kitagawa
Organized Violence II
Actor
King of the Gang
Actor Sakai
Dissolution Rites
Actor Kotaro Takamura
Portrait of Chieko
Actor
Once and For All
Actor
Organized Violence
Actor
Abashiri Prison: Duel in Hokkaido
Actor
Game of Chance 3
1966
1965
Actor Warrior (segment "Hoichi the Earless")
Kwaidan
Actor Sakon Takatani
Samurai Spy
Actor
Ankoku gai jingi
Actor
The Gambler
Actor Tsumaki
Abashiri Prison
Actor Yutaro Nomura
Blood of Revenge
Actor
Blood and Law
Actor
The Domain: Kanto Legends of Chivalry
Actor Mumyo Tsunataro
Tale of Ninja Duty
Actor
High-Ranking Yakuza
1964
Actor
Tokyo Gang vs. Hong Kong Gang
Actor Shume Okuno
Revenge
Actor Ng
The 7th Dawn
Actor Sakon Shiba
Three Outlaw Samurai
Actor Hachiro Kiyokawa
Assassination
Actor
Detective
Actor Lieutenant Aikawa
Homicide
Actor
The Kingdom of Jirocho 3
Actor Gunjuro Ohba
Samurai from Nowhere
Actor
Samurai from Somewhere
Actor
The Shogun's Vault
Actor
An Outlaw
Actor Jakoman
Jakoman and Tetsu
Actor
Destroyer Yukikaze
Actor
The Great Duel
Actor
Gamblers and Racketeers
Producer
Three Outlaw Samurai
1963
1962
Actor Kazuo Kasami
Operation Diamond
Actor
South Pacific Waves Are High
Actor Goro Kawamoto
Tokyo Untouchable
Actor
Umineko ga tonde
Actor
Zankokuna tsuki
Actor
Uragirimono wa jigoku daze
Actor
A Flame at the Pier
Actor
Kuro to aka no hanabira
Actor Hikokuro Omodaka
Harakiri
Actor
Gang vs. Gang
Actor Mizuhara
G-Men in the Pacific
Actor Takayama
The Challenge
Actor
All Rascals
Actor Masao Igarashi
Four Sisters
Actor
Tales of Young Genji Kuro 3
Actor Toru Tezuka
Gang vs. G-Men
Actor
Hell's Kitchen
1961
1960
1959
1958
1957
Actor
Hibari no san'yaku: Zoku Kei tsuya yuki no jôhenge
Actor
Hibari no san'yaku: Kei tsuya yuki no jôhenge
Actor Aboshi Samajirô
Mysterious Clouds: Legend of Satomi's Heroic Deed
Actor
剣聖 暁の三十六番斬り
Actor Rear Admiral Shimamura
Emperor Meiji and the Great Russo-Japanese War
Actor
Queen of Asia
Actor Jinjûrô Ômura
The Ghost of Kasane
