Tetsuro Tamba
Acting
1922-07-17 · Shinjuku, 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
Teruo Ishii Fan Club
2006 · Movie
Demon Pond
2005 · Movie
Yoshitsune
2005 · Series
Order Made ~Shiawase Iro no Shinshi Fuku Mise~
2004 · Series
The Thousand Year Fire
2004 · Movie
Capone: Roppongi Renkin no Teio
2004 · Movie
Yumemiru Budo
2003 · Series
Gozu
2003 · Movie
Yakuza Demon
2003 · Movie
A Case of Murder by the Atami Station Taxi Stand
2003 · Movie
T.R.Y.
2003 · Movie
Shura Group Part 2
2002 · Movie
The Twilight Samurai
2002 · Movie
Deadly Outlaw: Rekka
2002 · Movie
The Cat Returns
2002 · Movie
Graveyard of Honor
2002 · Movie
The Happiness of the Katakuris
2002 · Movie
Shura Group
2002 · Movie
Toshiie and Matsu
2002 · Series
Shura Group Part 1
2002 · Movie
Ino Tadataka: Meridian Dreams
2001 · Movie
The Making Of The Katakuris
2001 · Movie
修羅のみち
2001 · Movie
Blind Beast vs Killer Dwarf
2001 · Movie
Sakuya: The Slayer of Demons
2000 · Movie
A Class to Remember IV: Fifteen
2000 · Movie
The Stupid Teacher
2000 · Movie
Japanese Hell
1999 · Movie
The Veteran Trio
1999 · Series
Jubaku: Spellbound
1999 · Movie
Crayon Shin-chan: Explosion! The Hot Spring's Feel Good Final Battle
1999 · Movie
Screwed
1998 · Movie
The Peking Man
1997 · Movie
Kaseifu wa mita!
1997 · Series
Hashiran ka!
1995 · Series
Gokenin Zankuro
1995 · Series
Tetsuro Tamba’s Great Spiritual World 3: Amazing Reincarnation Story That Ran Around the Whole
1994 · Movie
Coming Home
1994 · Series
Psychic: Traveler to the Unknown
1994 · Movie
新幹線物語'93夏
1993 · Series
Emperor of Upheaval
1993 · Movie
The Supernormal II
1993 · Movie
Hanshichi Torimonochō
1992 · Series
Taira no Kiyomori
1992 · Movie
Minamoto Yoshitsune
1991 · Movie
The Tale of Genji
1991 · Series
The Great Shogunate Battle
1991 · Movie
Yakuza Warfare
1991 · Movie
源氏九郎颯爽記 秘剣揚羽の蝶
1991 · Movie
Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky
1991 · Movie
The Hitman: Blood Smells Like Roses
1991 · Movie
Kim's War
1991 · Movie
Female Neo-Ninjas
1991 · Movie
Heat Wave
1991 · Movie
Yonimo Kimyou na Monogatari Tokubetsuhen
1990 · Series
1750 Days of Turbulence
1990 · Movie
Be-In Bully High School
1990 · Movie
Aurora Borealis
1990 · Movie
The Great White Tower
1990 · Series
13 Assassins
1990 · Movie
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World 2: I was surprised when I died!!
1990 · Movie
HOTEL
1990 · Series
The Ginger Tree
1989 · Series
Tokyo: The Last War
1989 · Movie
Four Days of Snow and Blood
1989 · Movie
The Political Game
1989 · Movie
Yakuza Ladies 3
1989 · Movie
長七郎江戸日記スペシャル 長七郎 大奥まかり通る
1989 · Movie
Shogun's Shadow
1989 · Movie
Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World: What Happens When You Die
1989 · Movie
Tokugawa Ieyasu – TBS Warlord Special
1988 · Movie
Tokyo Pop
1988 · Movie
A Taxing Woman's Return
1988 · Movie
Tetsuro Tamba's Spirit World
1988 · Movie
Tabaruzaka
1987 · Series
There Goes Benio, the Smart Girl
1987 · Movie
Twilight of the Cockroaches
1987 · Movie
You're My Destiny
1987 · Movie
Ronin on a Mission
1987 · Movie
Shinran: Path to Purity
1987 · Movie
Night Train
1987 · Movie
Tokyo Blackout
1987 · Movie
Byakkotai
1986 · Series
Be Free!
1986 · Movie
April Fish
1986 · Movie
Cabaret
1986 · Movie
Inochi
1986 · Series
Tokugawa Chronicles: Ambition of the 3 Branches
1986 · Series
Vendetta of Obligation
1985 · Movie
The Last True Yakuza
1985 · Movie
The Sound of the Waves
1985 · Movie
Sanada Taiheiki
1985 · Series
Love: Starting on a Journey
1985 · Movie
Nezumi Kozō kaitō den
1984 · Movie
The Story of a Man Among Men
1984 · Movie
Life of St. Blue Eyes
1984 · Series
Kōgen ni ressha ga hashitta
1984 · Movie
Fireflies in the North
1984 · Movie
Zero
1984 · Movie
Heaven Station
1984 · Movie
Kukai
1984 · Movie
水曜ドラマ 宮本武蔵
1984 · Series
Choshichiro's Edo Diaries: The Yagyu Conspiracy
1984 · Movie
L・O・V・I・N・G
1983 · Movie
A Madcap Corporation
1983 · Movie
Lady Vengeance and the 47 Ronin
1983 · Movie
Masked Blade
1983 · Series
The Tale of Saikaido
1983 · Movie
The Geisha
1983 · Movie
The Duel in the Forbidden Territory
1983 · Movie
Battle Anthem
1983 · Movie
The Brave Man Says Little
1983 · Series
Samon’s Hell Revenge: Unauthorised Jutte Records 2 - The Assassination of the Shogun
1983 · Movie
Marco Polo
1982 · Series
To Trap a Kidnapper
1982 · Movie
Suspicion
1982 · Movie
The Imperial Japanese Empire
1982 · Movie
The Villain from Edo Kochiyama Soshun
1982 · Movie
Onimasa: A Japanese Godfather
1982 · Movie
Matsudaira Ukon Jikencho
1982 · Series
Call from Darkness
1981 · Movie
The Imperial Navy
1981 · Movie
The Wild Daisy
1981 · Movie
The Bushido Blade
1981 · Movie
Samurai Reincarnation
1981 · Movie
Flames of Blood
1981 · Movie
The Last Days of Planet Earth
1981 · Movie
Shogun's Ninja
1980 · Movie
Drive for the Future
1980 · Movie
Port Arthur
1980 · Movie
The Sand Boat
1980 · Movie
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga
1980 · Movie
The Way to The Gold Medals
1980 · Movie
The Shogun Assassins
1979 · Movie
Dead Angle
1979 · Movie
Hunter in the Dark
1979 · Movie
Nichiren
1979 · Movie
The Fall of Ako Castle
1978 · Movie
Never Give Up
1978 · Movie
August Without Emperor
1978 · Movie
Monument to Holy Service
1978 · Movie
Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron
1978 · Movie
The Incident
1978 · Movie
Message from Space
1978 · Movie
Shogun's Samurai
1978 · Movie
Ōgon no Hibi
1978 · Series
Sugata Sanshiro
1977 · Movie
High Seas Hijack
1977 · Movie
Mount Hakkoda
1977 · Movie
Flickering Flames
1977 · Movie
The Alaska Story
1977 · Movie
Murderer!
1976 · Movie
Zero Fighter
1976 · Movie
The Corporation
1976 · Movie
Seven Nights in Japan
1976 · Movie
The Classroom of Terror
1976 · Movie
Human Revolution II
1976 · Movie
Operation Plazma in Osaka
1976 · Movie
Between Women and Wives
1976 · Movie
The International Gang of Kobe
1975 · Movie
Company Buggers
1975 · Movie
Conflagration
1975 · Movie
The Bullet Train
1975 · Movie
Tidal Wave
1975 · Movie
G-Men '75
1975 · Series
All Men Are Brothers
1975 · Movie
A Picture of Madame Yuki
1975 · Movie
The Executioner II: Karate Inferno
1974 · Movie
The Castle of Sand
1974 · Movie
Karafuto 1945 Summer
1974 · Movie
Prophecies of Nostradamus
1974 · Movie
Secret Prophecies of Nostradamus
1974 · Movie
Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs
1974 · Movie
Violent Streets
1974 · Movie
Submersion of Japan
1973 · Movie
The Ando Gang Documentary Film
1973 · Movie
Wild Cop 2
1973 · Movie
Big Bad Wolf
1973 · Movie
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War
1973 · Movie
The Human Revolution
1973 · Movie
Japan's Top Gangster
1973 · Movie
The School Deviate Waru
1973 · Movie
Quarreling with Yakuza
1973 · Movie
Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight
1973 · Movie
Battles Without Honor and Humanity
1973 · Movie
Informal Dress
1972 · Movie
Shadow Hunters 2: Echo of Destiny
1972 · Movie
Yakuza Skirmishes
1972 · Movie
New Abashiri Prison Story: Honor and Humanity, Ammunition That Attracts the Storm
1972 · Movie
Shōwa Gokudōshi
1972 · Movie
Shadow Hunters
1972 · Movie
Organized Crime: Killer's Glory
1972 · Movie
The Water Margin
1972 · Movie
Under the Flag of the Rising Sun
1972 · Movie
Silence
1971 · Movie
The Armed Organization
1971 · Movie
Troops of Darkness
1971 · Movie
The Wolves
1971 · Movie
The Gambler's Counterattack
1971 · Movie
The Battle of Okinawa
1971 · Movie
King of Pornography
1971 · Movie
Men and War I: Prelude to Destiny
1970 · Movie
Postwar Secrets
1970 · Movie
Cherry Blossoms in the Air - The Suicide Raiders - Oh, Buddies!
1970 · Movie
The Scandalous Adventures of Buraikan
1970 · Movie
Crimson Bat - Oichi: Wanted, Dead or Alive
1970 · Movie
Rise and Fall of Chivalry
1970 · Movie
やくざ番外地 抹殺
1969 · Movie
Japan's Violent Gangs: The Boss and the Killers
1969 · Movie
The 5-Man Army
1969 · Movie
Thirteen Times a Loser
1969 · Movie
Red Peony Gambler: Biographies of a Gambling Room
1969 · Movie
Lone Rebel
1969 · Movie
The Private Police
1969 · Movie
Penitentiary Brothers
1969 · Movie
Sky Scraper!
1969 · Movie
Goyokin
1969 · Movie
Hot Vacation
1968 · Movie
Black Lizard
1968 · Movie
Snake Woman's Curse
1968 · Movie
The Young Eagles of the Kamikaze
1968 · Movie
The Bad Boss
1968 · Movie
Diamonds of the Andes
1968 · Movie
Key Hunter
1968 · Series
Blackmail Is My Life
1968 · Movie
The Code of Man
1968 · Movie
Army Intelligence
1968 · Movie
Gambler's Farewell
1968 · Movie
The Return of the Filthy Seven
1967 · Movie
Game of Chance 3
1967 · Movie
Escape Man
1967 · Movie
King of the Gang
1967 · Movie
Hawk of the Harbour
1967 · Movie
Organized Violence II
1967 · Movie
Portrait of Chieko
1967 · Movie
You Only Live Twice
1967 · Movie
Once and For All
1967 · Movie
Gamblers: The Dragon Tattoo
1967 · Movie
Abashiri Prison: Duel in Hokkaido
1967 · Movie
Dissolution Rites
1967 · Movie
Organized Violence
1967 · Movie
Spycatcher J3: SOS Close Shave
1966 · Movie
Continental Drifter
1966 · Movie
The Kii River
1966 · Movie
Greatest Boss of the Showa Era
1966 · Movie
Sazen Tange and The Secret of the Urn
1966 · Movie
Thirst for Love
1966 · Movie
High-Ranking Yakuza
1965 · Movie
Blood of Revenge
1965 · Movie
Blood and Law
1965 · Movie
The Domain: Kanto Legends of Chivalry
1965 · Movie
The Gambler
1965 · Movie
Samurai Spy
1965 · Movie
Underworld Code
1965 · Movie
Abashiri Prison
1965 · Movie
Tokyo Untouchable
1965 · Movie
Tale of Ninja Duty
1965 · Movie
Kwaidan
1965 · Movie
Ninja Killers
1964 · Movie
Gamblers and Racketeers
1964 · Movie
Samurai from Somewhere
1964 · Movie
Detective
1964 · Movie
Revenge
1964 · Movie
Giant Rumble
1964 · Movie
The 7th Dawn
1964 · Movie
The Shogun's Vault
1964 · Movie
Assassination
1964 · Movie
Homicide
1964 · Movie
Three Outlaw Samurai
1964 · Movie
Tokyo Untouchables
1964 · Movie
An Outlaw
1964 · Movie
Destroyer Yukikaze
1964 · Movie
Jakoman and Tetsu
1964 · Movie
The Kingdom of Jirocho 3
1964 · Movie
Samurai from Nowhere
1964 · Movie
Tokyo Gang vs. Hong Kong Gang
1964 · Movie
13 Assassins
1963 · Movie
Tange Sazen
1963 · Movie
Gang Loyalty and Vengeance
1963 · Movie
Element of Surprise
1963 · Movie
Futari dake no toride
1963 · Movie
Ano hito wa ima
1963 · Movie
Tokyo Untouchable: Escape
1963 · Movie
Kizu-darake no futeki-sha
1963 · Movie
Gang vs. G-Men: Safe Breakers
1963 · Movie
Eleven Gangsters
1963 · Movie
Uragirimono wa jigoku daze
1962 · Movie
Operation Diamond
1962 · Movie
Umineko ga tonde
1962 · Movie
Gang vs. G-Men
1962 · Movie
Hell's Kitchen
1962 · Movie
A Flame at the Pier
1962 · Movie
Harakiri
1962 · Movie
Gang vs. Gang
1962 · Movie
Four Sisters
1962 · Movie
Zankokuna tsuki
1962 · Movie
G-Men in the Pacific
1962 · Movie
The Challenge
1962 · Movie
All Rascals
1962 · Movie
Tales of Young Genji Kuro 3
1962 · Movie
Black and Red Flower Petals
1962 · Movie
South Pacific Waves Are High
1962 · Movie
Structure of Hate
1961 · Movie
Greed in Broad Daylight
1961 · Movie
Bridge to the Sun
1961 · Movie
Standing Towards the Great Forest
1961 · Movie
The Yellow Climate
1961 · Movie
Mist and Shadows
1961 · Movie
Kill the Killer!
1961 · Movie
Red Flowers of Hell
1961 · Movie
機動捜査班
1961 · Movie
Kaachan
1961 · Movie
Pigs and Battleships
1961 · Movie
Daredevil in the Castle
1961 · Movie
Get 'em All
1960 · Movie
Showdown on Pier No.3
1960 · Movie
The Gambling Samurai
1960 · Movie
Zero sen no jorō gun
1960 · Movie
Female Slave Ship
1960 · Movie
Kingorō no kaigun taishô
1959 · Movie
No Police
1959 · Movie
Nude Woman and Murder Maze
1959 · Movie
The Pacific War and the International Military Tribunal
1959 · Movie
Kyōen Kobanzame
1958 · Movie
Bloody History of Soldiers
1958 · Movie
Underwater Murder
1958 · Movie
Quick on the Trigger
1958 · Movie
Emperor & Empress Meiji and the Sino-Japanese War
1958 · Movie
A Wicked Woman
1958 · Movie
Queen of Asia
1957 · Movie
Hibari's Triple Role: The Transformation of Yukinojo — Part II
1957 · Movie
Hibari's Triple Role: The Dazzling Transformation of Yukinojo
1957 · Movie
The Ghost of Kasane
1957 · Movie
剣聖 暁の三十六番斬り
1957 · Movie
Emperor Meiji and the Great Russo-Japanese War
1957 · Movie
Storming Osaka Castle: The Sanada Ten Braves
1957 · Movie
Mysterious Clouds: Legend of Satomi's Heroic Deed
1957 · Movie
Devil Princess’ Beauty Competition
1956 · Movie
The Ceiling at Utsunomiya
1956 · Movie
President Rai of Kingoro
1956 · Movie
Admiral Yamamoto and the Allied Fleets
1956 · Movie
The Prosecutor and His Sister
1956 · Movie
Kingoro's Soldier
1956 · Movie
Speed King
1956 · Movie
The Fencing Collegian
1956 · Movie
Kuronekokan ni Kieta Otoko
1956 · Movie
Hanamazu
1955 · Movie
The Vassal's Neck
1955 · Movie
Twilight Saloon
1955 · Movie
Mysterious Dwarf
1955 · Movie
The Sacrifice of the Human Torpedoes
1955 · Movie
日本敗れず
1954 · Movie
Submarine Ro Hasn't Surfaced
1954 · Movie
Hanran
1954 · Movie