Kuroyanagi Tetsuko
- Name: Kuroyanagi Tetsuko
- Native name: 黒柳徹子
- Also Known as: くろやなぎ てつこ
- Nationality: Japanese
- Gender: Female
- Born: August 9, 1933
- Age: 90
Kuroyanagi was born in Tokyo City, Tokyo Prefecture (now Tokyo). She studied at the Tokyo College of Music, majoring in opera, as she intended to become an opera singer. After graduation, however, she was drawn to acting and the television entertainment industry by her joining Tokyo Hoso Gekidan. Subsequently, she became the first Japanese actress who was contracted to Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK).
After voicing Lady Penelope in the Thunderbirds TV series, Kuroyanagi first became well known in 1975 when she established her afternoon television program Tetsuko's Room (徹子の部屋, Tetsuko no Heya), which was the first talk show on Japanese television.
1981 marked a turning point in her career, as Kuroyanagi published her children's book Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window, in which Kuroyanagi wrote about the values of unconventional education that she received at Tomoe Gakuen elementary school during World War II, and her teacher Kobayashi Sosaku. The book is considered her childhood memoir, and upon release, it became the bestselling book in Japanese history.
Kuroyanagi is known internationally for her charitable and fundraising works. She founded the Totto Foundation, named for the eponymous and autobiographical protagonist of her book Totto-chan, the Little Girl at the Window. The Foundation professionally trains deaf actors, implementing Kuroyanagi's vision of bringing theater to the deaf.
In 1984, in recognition of her charitable works, Kuroyanagi was appointed to be a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, being the first person from Asia to hold this position. During the late 1980s and the 1990s, she visited many developing countries in Asia and Africa for charitable works and goodwill missions, helping children who had suffered from disasters and war as well as raising international awareness of the situations of children in poor countries. Her visit to Angola in 1989 was the first recorded VIP visit from Japan to this country and marked a milestone for the diplomatic relation between Japan and Angola. Kuroyanagi has raised more than $20 million for the UNICEF programs that she has been involved in, through television fund-raising campaigns. She also used the royalties from her bestselling book, Totto-chan, to contribute to UNICEF.
In 1997, Kuroyanagi published the book "Totto-chan's Children" based on her experience working as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador from 1984 to 1996. Kuroyanagi is a director of the Japanese branch of the World Wildlife Fund.
For her involvement in media and television entertainment, Kuroyanagi won the Japanese Cultural Broadcasting Award, which is the highest television honor in Japan. Since then, she has been voted 14 times as Japan’s favorite television personality for Tetsuko’s Room.
In 2000, Kuroyanagi became the first recipient of the Global Leadership for Children Award, which was established by UNICEF on the 10th anniversary of the 1990 World Summit for Children. In May 2003, Kuroyanagi received Order of the Sacred Treasure in recognition of her two decades of service for the world’s children.
(Source: Wikipedia) Edit Biography
Drama
Title | Rating |
---|---|
Totto TV
Japanese Drama, 2016, 7 eps
Herself
(Main Role)
|
7.8
|
Shinigami-kun
Japanese Drama, 2014, 9 eps
[Actress in the hallway] (Ep. 7)
(Guest Role)
|
7.6
|
Ohisama
Japanese Drama, 2011, 156 eps
Tsutsui Ikuko [Old] / Sudo Ikuko
(Support Role)
|
8.0
|
Uta no Onii-san
Japanese Drama, 2009, 8 eps
[Herself] (Ep. 5, 8)
(Guest Role)
|
7.4
|
Akogare Kyodotai
Japanese Drama, 1975, 17 eps
[Kosuke's Mother]
(Support Role)
|
0.0
|
6 Seagulls
Japanese Drama, 1974, 26 eps
Yoshizawa Naoko
(Support Role)
|
0.0
|
Mayuko Hitori
Japanese Drama, 1971, 310 eps
Taguchi Kei
(Support Role)
|
0.0
|
Tyrolin Mura to Kurumi no Ki
Japanese Drama, 1956, 812 eps
(Main Role)
|
7.0
|
New Family Album
Japanese Drama, 1956, 8 eps
Umeko (Ep. 1,2)
(Guest Role)
|
0.0
|
Sewa no Yakeru Otona Tachi
Japanese Drama, 1955, 1 eps
(Unknown)
|
0.0
|
Movie
Title | Rating |
---|---|
I Love You
Japanese Movie, 1999,
Kuroyanagi Tetsuko
(Guest Role)
|
6.0
|
Zennin no Joken
Japanese Movie, 1989,
Delivery Aunt
(Guest Role)
|
0.0
|
Mutsugoro no Kekkon Shirushi
Japanese Movie, 1974,
(Support Role)
|
4.0
|
Summer Soldiers
Japanese Movie, 1972,
Tanikawa
(Support Role)
|
7.0
|
Charanporan Monogatari
Japanese Movie, 1963,
Madame Kuroyanagi
(Support Role)
|
0.0
|
Special
Title | Rating |
---|---|
Mukoda Kuniko Shusen Tokubetsu Kikaku: Itsuka Mita Aoi Sora
Japanese Special, 1995, 1 eps
[Narrator]
(Guest Role)
|
0.0
|
Mama wa Idol Special
Japanese Special, 1987, 1 eps
[Herself]
(Guest Role)
|
7.0
|
Yonaka no Bara
Japanese Special, 1985, 1 eps
[Narrator]
(Bit part)
|
0.0
|
TV Show
Title | Rating |
---|---|
VS Damashii Gradation
Japanese TV Show, 2022, 44 eps
(Ep. 37)
(Guest)
|
0.0
|
Utacon
Japanese TV Show, 2016, 302 eps
(Guest)
|
6.0
|
Ninosan
Japanese TV Show, 2013, 550 eps
(Ep. 466)
(Guest)
|
8.4
|
Arashi ni Shiyagare
Japanese TV Show, 2010, 460 eps
(Ep. 305, 460)
(Guest)
|
8.5
|
Kizuna Shokudo
Japanese TV Show, 2009, 50 eps
[Building owner]
(Main Host)
|
0.0
|
A-Studio+
Japanese TV Show, 2009, 810 eps
(Ep. 515)
(Guest)
|
10.0
|
King's Brunch
Japanese TV Show, 1996, 1214 eps
(20090418)
(Guest)
|
0.0
|
Kitano Fan Club
Japanese TV Show, 1991, 232 eps
[Panelist]
(Regular Member)
|
0.0
|
This Person Show
Japanese TV Show, 1982, 112 eps
[Moderator] [Ep.1)
(Guest)
|
0.0
|
Tetsuko's Room
Japanese TV Show, 1976, 1854 eps
Herself
(Main Host)
|
0.0
|
Kouhaku Uta Gassen
Japanese TV Show, 1951, 73 eps
[Akagumi Captain] (Ep. 9, 31-34) | [Mediator] (Ep. 66) | [Judge] (Ep. 71, 77) | Supporter] (Ep. 14, 20, 40)
(Main Host)
|
7.8
|
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