Tetsuro Tamba
Known for Acting · 352 credits
- Born
- 1922-07-17
- Died
- 2006-09-24
- Place of birth
- Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
- Also known as
- 丹波 哲郎 · Tetzuro Tamba · Tetsurô Tanba · Tetsuro Tambo · Tetsurô Tamba · Tetsurou Tanba
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
TV Shows (30)
Yonimo Kimyou na Monogatari Tokubetsuhen
1990
Yoshitsune
2005
as Minamoto no Yorimasa (Gen-ji)
Toshiie and Matsu
2002
as Tarozaemon Iguchi
Masked Blade
1983
Key Hunter
1968
as 黒木鉄也
Sanada Taiheiki
1985
as Sanada Masayuki
Inochi
1986
as Takahara Masamichi
Hashiran ka!
1995
as 前田米吉
HOTEL
1990
as Ohara Tetsutaro
Matsudaira Ukon Jikencho
1982
G-Men '75
1975
as 黒木警視
Marco Polo
1982
as Vasaio
Gokenin Zankuro
1995
Ōgon no Hibi
1978
as Imai Sōkyū
水曜ドラマ 宮本武蔵
1984
as 平田無二斎
Tokugawa Chronicles: Ambition of the 3 Branches
1986
as Naruse Hayatonosho
新幹線物語'93夏
1993
as 黒木哲也
The Veteran Trio
1999
as Inui Sanshiro
Life of St. Blue Eyes
1984
as Takeyoshi Takagi
The Tale of Genji
1991
Yumemiru Budo
2003
Coming Home
1994
as Shirota Fukuzo
Byakkotai
1986
as Jinbo Kuranosuke
Tabaruzaka
1987
as Ôyama Tunayoshi
The Brave Man Says Little
1983
Kaseifu wa mita!
1997
The Ginger Tree
1989
as Hirushi Tsushima
The Great White Tower
1990
as Professor Ukai
Hanshichi Torimonochō
1992
Order Made ~Shiawase Iro no Shinshi Fuku Mise~
2004
Movies (322)
Harakiri
1962
as Hikokuro Omodaka
The Cat Returns
2002
as Cat King (voice)
You Only Live Twice
1967
as Tiger Tanaka
Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky
1991
as Master Zhang
Yakuza Skirmishes
1972
Kim's War
1991
Gang vs. G-Men
1962
as Toru Tezuka
Jakoman and Tetsu
1964
as Jakoman
The Peking Man
1997
as Osone
Choshichiro's Edo Diaries: The Yagyu Conspiracy
1984
as Yagyu Munefuyu
Rise and Fall of Chivalry
1970
The Gambler
1965
King of the Gang
1967
A Case of Murder by the Atami Station Taxi Stand
2003
All Rascals
1962
Kwaidan
1965
as Warrior (segment "Hoichi the Earless")
Greatest Boss of the Showa Era
1966
Shinran: Path to Purity
1987
Flames of Blood
1981
Blood and Law
1965
Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs
1974
as Nagumo
Gang vs. G-Men: Safe Breakers
1963
as 手塚徹
Quick on the Trigger
1958
The Return of the Filthy Seven
1967
Crayon Shin-chan: Explosion! The Hot Spring's Feel Good Final Battle
1999
as Tamba (voice)
Sky Scraper!
1969
The Sand Boat
1980
Love: Starting on a Journey
1985
Informal Dress
1972
The Bushido Blade
1981
as Lord Yamato
The Battle of Okinawa
1971
as Lieutenant General Isamu Cho
Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight
1973
as Shino
The Bullet Train
1975
as Sunaga
The Twilight Samurai
2002
as Tozaemon Iguchi
Gozu
2003
Heaven Station
1984
Samurai Reincarnation
1981
as Muramasa
Onimasa: A Japanese Godfather
1982
as Uichi Suda, The Big Boss
Night Train
1987
as Isaburo Tamura
Blind Beast vs Killer Dwarf
2001
Human Revolution II
1976
The Armed Organization
1971
Hell's Kitchen
1962
Mount Hakkoda
1977
as Colonel Kojima
Giant Rumble
1964
Gambler's Farewell
1968
as Tetsuji Kasai
Submersion of Japan
1973
as Prime Minister Yamamoto
Fireflies in the North
1984
as Ishikura
Goyokin
1969
as Rokugo Tatewaki
Battles Without Honor and Humanity
1973
Under the Flag of the Rising Sun
1972
as Sergeant Katsuo Togashi
All Men Are Brothers
1975
as Lu Chun I
Japanese Hell
1999
as Asu Shino
Nichiren
1979
Bloody History of Soldiers
1958
as Shumei Okawa
Operation Diamond
1962
as Kazuo Kasami
Thirteen Times a Loser
1969
as Shinji Kaizuka
The Happiness of the Katakuris
2002
as Granpa Jinpei Katakuri
The Shogun Assassins
1979
as Kato Kiyomasa
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War
1973
as Tatsuo Akashi
The 7th Dawn
1964
as Ng
Message from Space
1978
as Ernest Noguchi
Thirst for Love
1966
as Kosuke Aso
The Supernormal II
1993
Postwar Secrets
1970
as Kuroki
Female Slave Ship
1960
The Geisha
1983
as Kochi Notable
The Bad Boss
1968
Heat Wave
1991
as Denkichi Tsuzaki
The Fall of Ako Castle
1978
as Yanagisawa
The Gambling Samurai
1960
as Fumizo Mitsuki
A Flame at the Pier
1962
Japan's Top Gangster
1973
as Noboru Yamaguchi
Destroyer Yukikaze
1964
The Imperial Navy
1981
as Jisaburo Ozawa
Big Bad Wolf
1973
Men and War I: Prelude to Destiny
1970
Three Outlaw Samurai
1964
as Sakon Shiba
Ninja Killers
1964
Shogun's Ninja
1980
as Tozawa Hakuunsai
Underwater Murder
1958
Samurai from Somewhere
1964
as Masagi Shohei
Pigs and Battleships
1961
as Slasher Tetsuji
Once and For All
1967
Dead Angle
1979
Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron
1978
as Kichibei
Tokyo Blackout
1987
as Nakata
The Water Margin
1972
as Jade Unicorn, Lu Chun I
Shogun's Shadow
1989
as Hotta Masamori
Shogun's Samurai
1978
as Ogasawara Gensinsai
Seven Nights in Japan
1976
as Terrorist Leader (uncredited)
T.R.Y.
2003
The Kingdom of Jirocho 3
1964
The Castle of Sand
1974
as Detective Eitaro Imanishi
Tokyo Untouchable
1965
as Goro Kawamoto
Hunter in the Dark
1979
as Okitsugu Tanuma
13 Assassins
1963
as Doi Ōkō Toshi
The Executioner II: Karate Inferno
1974
as Kimitake Shugi / Moroki
Twilight of the Cockroaches
1987
as Grandpa (voice)
Black Lizard
1968
as Kuroki
Revenge
1964
as Shume Okuno
The Scandalous Adventures of Buraikan
1970
as Soshun Kochiyama
G-Men in the Pacific
1962
as Mizuhara
Abashiri Prison
1965
as Tsumaki
Graveyard of Honor
2002
as Tetsuji Tokura
Yakuza Ladies 3
1989
as Takeo Sakanishi
Operation Plazma in Osaka
1976
Tokyo: The Last War
1989
as Kanaami Kohou / Kan'ami Kouou
August Without Emperor
1978
as Army General Mikami
Port Arthur
1980
as Gentaro Kodama
Silence
1971
as Cristóvão Ferreira
Battle Anthem
1983
as Yamamoto
Prophecies of Nostradamus
1974
as Dr. Nishiyama
Samurai from Nowhere
1964
as Gunjuro Ohba
Teruo Ishii Fan Club
2006
High Seas Hijack
1977
as Captain Munekata
Zero
1984
as Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
Red Peony Gambler: Biographies of a Gambling Room
1969
The Thousand Year Fire
2004
Jubaku: Spellbound
1999
as Tajiro Kawakami
About 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 Youg… With 352 credits spanning from 1954 to 2006, Tetsuro Tamba has appeared in 322 films and 30 TV shows.
Fans searching for Tetsuro Tamba movies, Tetsuro Tamba filmography, or the latest projects starring Tetsuro Tamba can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Tetsuro Tamba Movies
- Harakiri (1962) — as Hikokuro Omodaka
- The Cat Returns (2002) — as Cat King (voice)
- You Only Live Twice (1967) — as Tiger Tanaka
- Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky (1991) — as Master Zhang
- Yakuza Skirmishes (1972)
Where to Watch Tetsuro Tamba Films
Most Tetsuro Tamba movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Tetsuro Tamba, check our movies catalogue and browse page.