
Tetsuro Tamba
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- July 17, 1922
- Died
- September 24, 2006 (aged 84)
- Birthplace
- Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
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
Photos
Filmography

Teruo Ishii Fan Club
Movie

Demon Pond
Movie

Yoshitsune
TV · as Minamoto no Yorimasa (Gen-ji) · 49 eps

Capone: Roppongi Renkin no Teio
Movie

The Thousand Year Fire
Movie
Order Made ~Shiawase Iro no Shinshi Fuku Mise~
TV · 5 eps

Gozu
Movie
A Case of Murder by the Atami Station Taxi Stand
Movie

T.R.Y.
Movie

Yakuza Demon
Movie · as Michitane Tendou
Yumemiru Budo
TV · 11 eps

Deadly Outlaw: Rekka
Movie · as Sanada

The Cat Returns
Movie · as Cat King (voice)

The Happiness of the Katakuris
Movie · as Granpa Jinpei Katakuri

Shura Group
Movie

Shura Group Part 2
Movie
Shura Group Part 1
Movie

Graveyard of Honor
Movie · as Tetsuji Tokura

The Twilight Samurai
Movie · as Tozaemon Iguchi

Free and Easy 13
Movie

Toshiie and Matsu
TV · as Tarozaemon Iguchi · 51 eps

Ino Tadataka: Meridian Dreams
Movie

Blind Beast vs Killer Dwarf
Movie

The Making Of The Katakuris
Movie

修羅のみち
Movie

Sakuya: The Slayer of Demons
Movie · as Old Master

A Class to Remember IV: Fifteen
Movie · as Tetsuo Hatake

The Stupid Teacher
Movie · as Utaemon Baba

Japanese Hell
Movie · as Asu Shino

Jubaku: Spellbound
Movie · as Tajiro Kawakami

Crayon Shinchan the Movie: Burst! Hot Spring Battle
Movie · as Tamba (voice)

The Veteran Trio
TV · as Inui Sanshiro · 9 eps

Screwed
Movie · as Landlord

The Peking Man
Movie · as Osone

Fujisawa Shuhei's Sparkling Sword: Puppeteer in the Shadows
Movie
Kaseifu wa mita!
TV · 1 ep

Gokenin Zankuro
TV · 8 eps

Hashiran ka!
TV · as 前田米吉 · 151 eps

Tetsuro Tamba’s Great Spiritual World 3: Amazing Reincarnation Story That Ran Around the Whole
Movie

Psychic: Traveler to the Unknown
Movie
Coming Home
TV · as Shirota Fukuzo · 12 eps

The Supernormal II
Movie

Emperor of Upheaval
Movie

新幹線物語'93夏
TV · as 黒木哲也 · 12 eps

Taira no Kiyomori
Movie

Hanshichi Torimonochō
TV · 2 eps
Minamoto Yoshitsune
Movie

Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky
Movie · as Master Zhang

Heat Wave
Movie · as Denkichi Tsuzaki

Kim's War
Movie

Female Neo-Ninjas
Movie · as Time Patrol leader

Yakuza Warfare
Movie

The Great Shogunate Battle
Movie

The Hitman: Blood Smells Like Roses
Movie

源氏九郎颯爽記 秘剣揚羽の蝶
Movie

The Tale of Genji
TV · 2 eps

13 Assassins
Movie

Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World 2: I was surprised when I died!!
Movie · as Ryo Okamoto

Under Aurora
Movie · as Tsuneiro Kamisaka

1750 Days of Turbulence
Movie

Be-In Bully High School
Movie · as Ryotaro Sakurazawa

Yonimo Kimyou na Monogatari Tokubetsuhen
TV · 5 eps

HOTEL
TV · as Ohara Tetsutaro · 85 eps

The Great White Tower
TV · as Professor Ukai · 2 eps

長七郎江戸日記スペシャル 長七郎 大奥まかり通る
Movie

The Political Game
Movie

Shogun's Shadow
Movie · as Hotta Masamori

Yakuza Ladies 3
Movie · as Takeo Sakanishi

Four Days of Snow and Blood
Movie · as Jinzaburi Shinzaki

Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World: What Happens When You Die
Movie · as 吉野博士

Tokyo: The Last War
Movie · as Kanaami Kohou, Kan'ami Kouou

The Ginger Tree
TV · as Hirushi Tsushima · 1 ep

Tokugawa Ieyasu – TBS Warlord Special
Movie

A Taxing Woman's Return
Movie · as Sadohara

Tokyo Pop
Movie · as Mr. Dota

You're My Destiny
Movie

Ronin on a Mission
Movie · as Ōishi Kuranosuke

Tokyo Blackout
Movie · as Nakata

Shinran: Path to Purity
Movie

Night Train
Movie · as Isaburo Tamura

There Goes Benio, the Smart Girl
Movie

Twilight of the Cockroaches
Movie · as Grandpa (voice)

Tabaruzaka
TV · as Ôyama Tunayoshi · 2 eps

April Fish
Movie · as Panapora Chief Handa

Be Free!
Movie · as Keizo Hasegawa

Cabaret
Movie · as Yakuza boss

Tokugawa Chronicles: Ambition of the 3 Branches
TV · as Naruse Hayatonosho · 13 eps

Inochi
TV · as Takahara Masamichi · 50 eps

Byakkotai
TV · as Jinbo Kuranosuke · 2 eps

The Sound of the Waves
Movie

The Last True Yakuza
Movie · as Kazumasa Tashiro

Love: Starting on a Journey
Movie

Vendetta of Obligation
Movie

Sanada Taiheiki
TV · as Sanada Masayuki · 45 eps

Kōgen ni ressha ga hashitta
Movie

Zero
Movie · as Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto

Kukai
Movie

Nezumi Kozō kaitō den
Movie

Choshichiro's Edo Diaries: The Yagyu Conspiracy
Movie · as Yagyu Munefuyu

Fireflies in the North
Movie · as Ishikura

The Story of a Man Among Men
Movie

Heaven Station
Movie

水曜ドラマ 宮本武蔵
TV · as 平田無二斎 · 45 eps

Life of St. Blue Eyes
TV · as Takeyoshi Takagi · 1 ep
Samon’s Hell Revenge: Unauthorised Jutte Records 2 - The Assassination of the Shogun
Movie

The Tale of Saikaido
Movie

The Duel in the Forbidden Territory
Movie

Battle Anthem
Movie · as Yamamoto

A Madcap Corporation
Movie · as Yoshiteru Suma (Suma-gumi Boss)

The Geisha
Movie · as Kochi Notable

L・O・V・I・N・G
Movie

Lady Vengeance and the 47 Ronin
Movie

Masked Blade
TV · 118 eps

The Brave Man Says Little
TV · 4 eps

The Villain from Edo Kochiyama Soshun
Movie

Onimasa: A Japanese Godfather
Movie · as Uichi Suda, The Big Boss

The Imperial Japanese Empire
Movie · as Hideki Tojo

Suspicion
Movie · as Kanetaka Okamura

To Trap a Kidnapper
Movie

Matsudaira Ukon Jikencho
TV · 73 eps

Marco Polo
TV · as Vasaio · 2 eps

The Wild Daisy
Movie · as Gozaburo Saito

Call from Darkness
Movie · as Sugibayashi

Flames of Blood
Movie

Samurai Reincarnation
Movie · as Muramasa

The Imperial Navy
Movie · as Jisaburo Ozawa

The Bushido Blade
Movie · as Lord Yamato

The Last Days of Planet Earth
Movie · as Dr. Nishiyama

I Saw a Monster Fish
Movie · as ryuji

Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga
Movie · as Tatsuo Akashi

Shogun's Ninja
Movie · as Tozawa Hakuunsai

The Way to The Gold Medals
Movie · as President Sakakibara

Port Arthur
Movie · as Gentaro Kodama

The Sand Boat
Movie

Drive for the Future
Movie · as Akiji Nishikawa

Hunter in the Dark
Movie · as Okitsugu Tanuma

Dead Angle
Movie

Nichiren
Movie

The Shogun Assassins
Movie · as Kato Kiyomasa

Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron
Movie · as Kichibei

Monument to Holy Service
Movie

Never Give Up
Movie · as General Wada

August Without Emperor
Movie · as Army General Mikami

The Incident
Movie · as Lawyer Kikuchi

The Fall of Ako Castle
Movie · as Yanagisawa

Shogun's Samurai: The Yagyu Clan Conspiracy
Movie · as Ogasawara Gensinsai

Message from Space
Movie · as Ernest Noguchi

Ōgon no Hibi
TV · as Imai Sōkyū · 51 eps

Mount Hakkoda
Movie · as Colonel Kojima

The Alaska Story
Movie · as Arashuk

Flickering Flames
Movie

High Seas Hijack
Movie · as Captain Munekata

Sugata Sanshiro
Movie · as Iinuma

Zero Pilot
Movie · as Captain Saito

Seven Nights in Japan
Movie · as Terrorist Leader (uncredited)

Human Revolution II
Movie

The Classroom of Terror
Movie

Operation Plazma in Osaka
Movie

Murderer!
Movie · as Nīto Kouken

The Corporation
Movie · as Kawamata

Between Women and Wives
Movie

A Picture of Madame Yuki
Movie

Conflagration
Movie · as Captain Munekata

The International Gang of Kobe
Movie · as Rinsei

All Men Are Brothers
Movie · as Lu Chun I

The Bullet Train
Movie · as Sunaga

Company Buggers
Movie

Tidal Wave
Movie · as Prime Minister Yamato

G-Men '75
TV · as 黒木警視 · 354 eps

The Castle of Sand
Movie · as Detective Eitaro Imanishi

Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs
Movie · as Nagumo

Violent Streets
Movie · as Shimamura

The Executioner II: Karate Inferno
Movie · as Kimitake Shugi / Moroki

Prophecies of Nostradamus
Movie · as Dr. Nishiyama

Karafuto 1945 Summer
Movie
Secret Prophecies of Nostradamus
Movie · as Himself

The School Deviate Waru
Movie

Submersion of Japan
Movie · as Prime Minister Yamamoto

Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight
Movie · as Shino

Battles Without Honor and Humanity
Movie

Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War
Movie · as Tatsuo Akashi

Quarreling with Yakuza
Movie

The Ando Gang Documentary Film
Movie

Wild Cop 2
Movie

Japan's Top Gangster
Movie · as Noboru Yamaguchi

The Human Revolution
Movie · as Josei Toda

Big Bad Wolf
Movie

Eyeful Daisakusen
TV · 17 eps

The Water Margin
Movie · as Jade Unicorn, Lu Chun I

Under the Flag of the Rising Sun
Movie · as Sergeant Katsuo Togashi

Shadow Hunters 2: Echo of Destiny
Movie · as Kagemetsuke

Shadow Hunters
Movie

Shōwa Gokudōshi
Movie

Yakuza Skirmishes
Movie

Informal Dress
Movie

Organized Crime: Killer's Glory
Movie

New Abashiri Prison Story: Honor and Humanity, Ammunition That Attracts the Storm
Movie

The Wolves
Movie · as Genryu Asakura

King of Pornography
Movie

Silence
Movie · as Cristóvão Ferreira

The Battle of Okinawa
Movie · as Lieutenant General Isamu Cho

The Armed Organization
Movie

The Gambler's Counterattack
Movie · as Chief Inspector

Troops of Darkness
Movie

Cherry Blossoms in the Air - The Suicide Raiders - Oh, Buddies!
Movie

Crimson Bat - Oichi: Wanted, Dead or Alive
Movie · as Hyoe

The Scandalous Adventures of Buraikan
Movie · as Soshun Kochiyama

Men and War I: Prelude to Destiny
Movie

Rise and Fall of Chivalry
Movie

Postwar Secrets
Movie · as Kuroki

The 5-Man Army
Movie · as Samurai

Goyokin
Movie · as Rokugo Tatewaki

Sky Scraper!
Movie

Penitentiary Brothers
Movie

The Private Police
Movie

Red Peony Gambler: Biographies of a Gambling Room
Movie

Japan's Violent Gangs: The Boss and the Killers
Movie

Lone Rebel
Movie

やくざ番外地 抹殺
Movie

Thirteen Times a Loser
Movie · as Shinji Kaizuka

Blackmail Is My Life
Movie

The Code of Man
Movie

Army Intelligence
Movie · as Lieutenant Colonel Akiyama

The Bad Boss
Movie

The Young Eagles of the Kamikaze
Movie

Gambler's Farewell
Movie · as Tetsuji Kasai

Black Lizard
Movie · as Kuroki

Snake Woman's Curse
Movie · as Commander

Diamonds of the Andes
Movie

Hot Vacation
Movie

Key Hunter
TV · as 黒木鉄也 · 262 eps

You Only Live Twice
Movie · as Tiger Tanaka

Hawk of the Harbour
Movie

Gamblers: The Dragon Tattoo
Movie

The Return of the Filthy Seven
Movie

Organized Violence II
Movie · as Police Inspector Kitagawa

King of the Gang
Movie

Dissolution Rites
Movie · as Sakai

Portrait of Chieko
Movie · as Kotaro Takamura

Once and For All
Movie

Organized Violence
Movie

Abashiri Prison: Duel in Hokkaido
Movie

Game of Chance 3
Movie

Escape Man
Movie

Spycatcher J3: SOS Close Shave
Movie · as J1 (TULIP Japan Branch Chief)

Continental Drifter
Movie

Greatest Boss of the Showa Era
Movie

Thirst for Love
Movie · as Kosuke Aso

Sazen Tange and The Secret of the Urn
Movie · as Lord Tsushima Yagyu

The Kii River
Movie · as Shintani Kosaku

Kwaidan
Movie · as Warrior (segment "Hoichi the Earless")

Tokyo Untouchable
Movie · as Goro Kawamoto

Samurai Spy
Movie · as Sakon Takatani

Underworld Code
Movie

The Gambler
Movie

Abashiri Prison
Movie · as Tsumaki

Blood of Revenge
Movie · as Yutaro Nomura

Blood and Law
Movie

The Domain: Kanto Legends of Chivalry
Movie

Tale of Ninja Duty
Movie · as Mumyo Tsunataro

High-Ranking Yakuza
Movie

Tokyo Gang vs. Hong Kong Gang
Movie

Revenge
Movie · as Shume Okuno

The 7th Dawn
Movie · as Ng

Three Outlaw Samurai
Movie · as Sakon Shiba

Assassination
Movie · as Hachiro Kiyokawa

Detective
Movie

Homicide
Movie · as Lieutenant Aikawa

The Kingdom of Jirocho 3
Movie

Samurai from Nowhere
Movie · as Gunjuro Ohba

Samurai from Somewhere
Movie · as Masagi Shohei

The Shogun's Vault
Movie

An Outlaw
Movie

Jakoman and Tetsu
Movie · as Jakoman

Destroyer Yukikaze
Movie

Giant Rumble
Movie

Gamblers and Racketeers
Movie

Tokyo Untouchables
Movie

Ninja Killers
Movie

Futari dake no toride
Movie

Kizu-darake no futeki-sha
Movie

Tokyo Untouchable: Escape
Movie · as Goro Kawamoto

Element of Surprise
Movie

Tange Sazen
Movie

13 Assassins
Movie · as Doi Ōkō Toshi

Eleven Gangsters
Movie

Gang Loyalty and Vengeance
Movie · as Gu Shimizu

Gang vs. G-Men: Safe Breakers
Movie · as 手塚徹

Ano hito wa ima
Movie

Operation Diamond
Movie · as Kazuo Kasami

South Pacific Waves Are High
Movie

Umineko ga tonde
Movie

Zankokuna tsuki
Movie

Uragirimono wa jigoku daze
Movie

A Flame at the Pier
Movie
Black and Red Flower Petals
Movie

Harakiri
Movie · as Hikokuro Omodaka

Gang vs. Gang
Movie

G-Men in the Pacific
Movie · as Mizuhara

The Challenge
Movie · as Takayama

All Rascals
Movie

Four Sisters
Movie · as Masao Igarashi

Tales of Young Genji Kuro 3
Movie

Gang vs. G-Men
Movie · as Toru Tezuka

Hell's Kitchen
Movie

Pigs and Battleships
Movie · as Slasher Tetsuji

Bridge to the Sun
Movie · as Jiro

Standing Towards the Great Forest
Movie

Red Flowers of Hell
Movie

Daredevil in the Castle
Movie · as Sadamasa Ishikawa
Kaachan
Movie

Greed in Broad Daylight
Movie · as Miyahara

The Yellow Climate
Movie

Mist and Shadows
Movie · as Yusuke Komiya

Structure of Hate
Movie

機動捜査班
Movie

Kill the Killer!
Movie · as Narumi

The Gambling Samurai
Movie · as Fumizo Mitsuki

Get 'em All
Movie · as Tanabe

Female Slave Ship
Movie

Zero sen no jorō gun
Movie

Showdown on Pier No.3
Movie · as Kirishima
No Police
Movie
Nude Woman and Murder Maze
Movie · as Senba

The Pacific War and the International Military Tribunal
Movie

Kingorō no kaigun taishô
Movie
Kyōen Kobanzame
Movie

Quick on the Trigger
Movie
Underwater Murder
Movie

A Wicked Woman
Movie · as Ihei Ôsawa

Emperor & Empress Meiji and the Sino-Japanese War
Movie · as Keisuke Otori

Bloody History of Soldiers
Movie · as Shumei Okawa

Hibari's Triple Role: The Transformation of Yukinojo — Part II
Movie

Hibari's Triple Role: The Dazzling Transformation of Yukinojo
Movie

Mysterious Clouds: Legend of Satomi's Heroic Deed
Movie · as Aboshi Samajirô

剣聖 暁の三十六番斬り
Movie

Emperor Meiji and the Great Russo-Japanese War
Movie · as Rear Admiral Shimamura

Queen of Asia
Movie

The Ghost of Kasane
Movie · as Jinjûrô Ômura

Storming Osaka Castle: The Sanada Ten Braves
Movie · as Mondonoshô Hirano

Devil Princess’ Beauty Competition
Movie

Kuronekokan ni Kieta Otoko
Movie
President Rai of Kingoro
Movie
Speed King
Movie
The Fencing Collegian
Movie
Kingoro's Soldier
Movie

The Ceiling at Utsunomiya
Movie · as Kurozumi Tenzen

The Prosecutor and His Sister
Movie

Admiral Yamamoto and the Allied Fleets
Movie

Twilight Saloon
Movie · as Morimoto

Mysterious Dwarf
Movie

The Sacrifice of the Human Torpedoes
Movie

Hanamazu
Movie
The Vassal's Neck
Movie

Hanran
Movie · as Captain Koda

Submarine Ro Hasn't Surfaced
Movie

日本敗れず
Movie


