Takakura Ken

Name: Takakura Ken
Native name: 高倉健
Given name: Oda Goichi
Also Known as: たかくらけん, おだたけいち, 小田剛一
Nationality: Japanese
Gender: Male
Born: February 16, 1931
Died: November 10, 2014

Takakura Ken was a Japanese actor best known for his brooding style and the stoic presence he brought to his roles. He won the Japan Academy Prize four times, more than any other actor.

After graduating from Meiji University in Tokyo, Takakura attended an audition on impulse in 1955 at the Toei Film Company while applying for a managerial position. Toei found a natural in Takakura as he debuted with Denko Karate Uchi (Lightning Karate Blow) in 1956. In 1959 he married singer Chiemi Eri, but divorced in 1971. His breakout role would be in the 1965 film Abashiri Prison, and its sequel Abashiri Bangaichi: Bokyohen (Abashiri Prison: Longing for Home, also 1965), in which he played an ex-con antihero. By the time Takakura left Toei in 1976, he had appeared in over 180 films.

He gained international recognition after starring in the 1970 war film Too Late the Hero as the cunning Imperial Japanese Major Yamaguchi, the 1974 Sydney Pollack sleeper hit The Yakuza with Robert Mitchum, and is probably best known in the West for his role in Ridley Scott's Black Rain (1989) where he surprises American cops played by Michael Douglas and Andy García with the line, "I do speak fucking English". He again appeared to Western audiences with the 1992 Fred Schepisi comedy Mr. Baseball starring Tom Selleck.

(Source: Wikipedia) Edit Biography

Year	Title	#	Role	Rating
1977	Aniki Japanese Drama, 1977, 13 eps Eiji (Main Role)	13	Eiji Main Role	5.0

Year	Title	Role	Rating
2012	Dearest Japanese Movie, 2012, Kurashima Eiji (Main Role)	Kurashima Eiji Main Role	7.4
2005	Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles Chinese Movie, 2005, Gouichi Takata (Main Role)	Gouichi Takata Main Role	7.6
2001	The Firefly Japanese Movie, 2001, Shuji Yamaoka (Main Role)	Shuji Yamaoka Main Role	8.0
1999	Railroad Man Japanese Movie, 1999, Otomatsu Sato (Main Role)	Otomatsu Sato Main Role	7.8
1994	47 Ronin Japanese Movie, 1994, Kuranosuke Oishi (Main Role)	Kuranosuke Oishi Main Role	7.5
1989	Buddies Japanese Movie, 1989, Kadokura (Main Role)	Kadokura Main Role	2.0
1988	See You Japanese Movie, 1988, Homma Eiji (Main Role)	Homma Eiji Main Role	1.0
1985	Yasha Japanese Movie, 1985, Shuji (Main Role)	Shuji Main Role	6.8
1983	Choji Snack Bar Japanese Movie, 1983, Fujino Eiji (Main Role)	Fujino Eiji Main Role	6.5
1983	Antarctica Japanese Movie, 1983, Ushioda Akira (Main Role)	Ushioda Akira Main Role	8.0
1982	The Longest Tunnel Japanese Movie, 1982, Akutsu Go (Main Role)	Akutsu Go Main Role	5.0
1982	Keiji Monogatari Japanese Movie, 1982, Detective Mikami Eiji (Support Role)	Detective Mikami Eiji Support Role	4.0
1981	Station Japanese Movie, 1981, Eiji Mikami (Main Role)	Eiji Mikami Main Role	7.2
1980	A Distant Cry from Spring Japanese Movie, 1980, Tajima Kosaku (Main Role)	Tajima Kosaku Main Role	7.6
1980	Doran Japanese Movie, 1980, Keisuke Miyagi (Main Role)	Keisuke Miyagi Main Role	8.0
1978	Never Give Up Japanese Movie, 1978, Ajisawa Takeshi (Main Role)	Ajisawa Takeshi Main Role	6.1
1978	Winter's Flower Japanese Movie, 1978, Kano Hidetsugu (Main Role)	Kano Hidetsugu Main Role	7.9
1977	Shiawase no Kiiroi Hankachi Japanese Movie, 1977, Shima Yusaku (Main Role)	Shima Yusaku Main Role	8.0
1977	Mount Hakkoda Japanese Movie, 1977, Captain Tokushima (Main Role)	Captain Tokushima Main Role	7.4
1976	Kimi yo Fundo no Kawa o Watare Japanese Movie, 1976, Morioka (Main Role)	Morioka Main Role	6.5
1976	Outlaw Cop Japanese Movie, 1976, (Unknown)	Unknown	3.0
1975	International Gangs of Kobe Japanese Movie, 1975, Masato Dan (Main Role)	Masato Dan Main Role	6.5
1975	The Bullet Train Japanese Movie, 1975, Tetsuo Okita (Main Role)	Tetsuo Okita Main Role	7.7
1975	Dai Datsugoku Japanese Movie, 1975, Ichiro Kozue (Main Role)	Ichiro Kozue Main Role	0.0
1975	Roads for Honor Japanese Movie, 1975, Tatsuzaki Ichizo (Main Role)	Tatsuzaki Ichizo Main Role	0.0
1974	The Homeless Japanese Movie, 1974, (Support Role)	Support Role	8.0
1973	Golgo 13 Japanese Movie, 1973, Golgo 13 (Main Role)	Golgo 13 Main Role	7.1
1973	Gendai Ninkyoshi Japanese Movie, 1973, Shimatani Ryoichi (Main Role)	Shimatani Ryoichi Main Role	0.0
1973	Japan’s Top Gangster Japanese Movie, 1973, Taoka Isao (Main Role)	Taoka Isao Main Role	0.0
1972	Bakuchiuchi Gaiden Japanese Movie, 1972, Hanai Eiji (Main Role)	Hanai Eiji Main Role	1.0
1972	Bokyo Komoriuta Japanese Movie, 1972, Tagawa (Main Role)	Tagawa Main Role	0.0
1972	Cherry Blossom Fire Gang Japanese Movie, 1972, (Main Role)	Main Role	8.0
1972	Brutal Tales of Chivalry 9 Japanese Movie, 1972, Hanada Hidejiro (Main Role)	Hanada Hidejiro Main Role	2.0
1971	Brutal Tales of Chivalry 7 Japanese Movie, 1971, (Main Role)	Main Role	2.0
1971	Shin Abashiri Bangaichi Arashi o Yobu Shiretokomisaki Japanese Movie, 1971, Suehiro Katsuji (Main Role)	Suehiro Katsuji Main Role	0.0
1971	Gorotsuki Mushuku Japanese Movie, 1971, Takeda Isamu (Main Role)	Takeda Isamu Main Role	0.0
1971	Bloodiest Flower Japanese Movie, 1971, (Unknown)	Unknown	0.0
1970	Saigo no Tokkotai Japanese Movie, 1970, (Main Role)	Main Role	6.5
1970	Brutal Tales of Chivalry 8 Japanese Movie, 1970, (Main Role)	Main Role	3.0
1970	Brave Red Flower of the North Japanese Movie, 1970, (Unknown)	Unknown	0.0
1969	Brutal Tales of Chivalry 6 Japanese Movie, 1969, (Main Role)	Main Role	0.0
1969	Memoir of Japanese Assassinations Japanese Movie, 1969, {Aizawa Incident} Aizawa Saburo (Main Role)	{Aizawa Incident} Aizawa Saburo Main Role	0.0
1969	Samurai Geisha Japanese Movie, 1969, Shimada Seikichi (Main Role)	Shimada Seikichi Main Role	7.4
1969	Ruthless Gambler Japanese Movie, 1969, (Unknown)	Unknown	2.0
1969	Sengo Saidai no Toba Japanese Movie, 1969, (Main Role)	Main Role	0.0
1969	Red Peony Gambler 4: Second Generation Ceremony Japanese Movie, 1969, Hanaoka Shogo (Main Role)	Hanaoka Shogo Main Role	7.0
1969	Brutal Tales of Chivalry 5 Japanese Movie, 1969, (Main Role)	Main Role	7.0
1969	Red Peony Gambler 3: The Flower Cards Game Japanese Movie, 1969, Hanaoka Shogo (Main Role)	Hanaoka Shogo Main Role	7.1
1968	Red Peony Gambler 1 Japanese Movie, 1968, Hanaoka Shogo (Main Role)	Hanaoka Shogo Main Role	7.0
1968	Gokuchu no Kaoyaku Japanese Movie, 1968, (Unknown)	Unknown	6.5
1967	Brutal Tales of Chivalry 4 Japanese Movie, 1967, (Main Role)	Main Role	2.0
1966	Glorious Fights Japanese Movie, 1966, Takita Ichiro (Main Role)	Takita Ichiro Main Role	6.0
1966	Brutal Tales of Chivalry 3 Japanese Movie, 1966, (Main Role)	Main Role	4.0
1966	Showdown of Men Japanese Movie, 1966, (Support Role)	Support Role	0.0
1966	Brutal Tales of Chivalry 2 Japanese Movie, 1966, (Main Role)	Main Role	7.0
1965	Brutal Tales of Chivalry 1 Japanese Movie, 1965, Gennosuke (Main Role)	Gennosuke Main Role	7.8
1965	Miyamoto Musashi: Duel at Ganryu Island Japanese Movie, 1965, Sasaki Kojiro (Support Role)	Sasaki Kojiro Support Role	7.3
1965	Abashiri Prison Japanese Movie, 1965, Tsukibana Shinichi (Main Role)	Tsukibana Shinichi Main Role	7.7
1965	A Fugitive from the Past Japanese Movie, 1965, Detective Ajimura (Support Role)	Detective Ajimura Support Role	7.2
1964	Wolves, Pigs & Men Japanese Movie, 1964, Kuroki Jiro (Main Role)	Kuroki Jiro Main Role	6.9
1964	The Domain Japanese Movie, 1964, (Main Role)	Main Role	0.0
1964	Narazumono Japanese Movie, 1964, Nanjo (Main Role)	Nanjo Main Role	0.0
1964	Jakoman to Tetsu Japanese Movie, 1964, Tetsu (Main Role)	Tetsu Main Role	0.0
1964	Miyamoto Musashi: The Duel at Ichijo Temple Japanese Movie, 1964, Sasaki Kojiro (Support Role)	Sasaki Kojiro Support Role	7.2
1963	Devil's Prosecutor Japanese Movie, 1963, Nogami Eiichi (Main Role)	Nogami Eiichi Main Role	0.0
1963	Miyamoto Musashi: Birth of Two Sword Style Japanese Movie, 1963, Sasaki Kojiro (Support Role)	Sasaki Kojiro Support Role	6.9
1963	Theater of Life: Hishakaku Japanese Movie, 1963, Ken (Main Role)	Ken Main Role	8.0
1962	Tokyo Untouchable Japanese Movie, 1962, Harada Yoshio (Main Role)	Harada Yoshio Main Role	6.0
1962	Ankoku-gai saigo no hi Japanese Movie, 1962, (Support Role)	Support Role	0.0
1962	The Escape Japanese Movie, 1962, Sergeant Major Komiya (Main Role)	Sergeant Major Komiya Main Role	0.0
1962	Lady Sen and Hideyori Japanese Movie, 1962, Naomori (Support Role)	Naomori Support Role	8.0
1961	Akuma no Temari Uta Japanese Movie, 1961, Kindaichi Kosuke (Main Role)	Kindaichi Kosuke Main Role	0.0
1961	Feisty Edo Girl Nakanori-san Japanese Movie, 1961, (Main Role)	Main Role	0.0
1961	Tenka no Kaidanji Senpu Taro Japanese Movie, 1961, Senpu Taro/"Whirlwind Taro" (Main Role)	Senpu Taro/"Whirlwind Taro" Main Role	0.0
1960	Nagurikomi Kantai Japanese Movie, 1960, (Main Role)	Main Role	0.0
1960	Count on Me Japanese Movie, 1960, (Main Role)	Main Role	2.0
1960	The Sand City in Manchuria Japanese Movie, 1960, Ryo (Support Role)	Ryo Support Role	0.0
1960	Tenka no Kaidanji - Tosshin Taro Japanese Movie, 1960, Tosshin Taro (Main Role)	Tosshin Taro Main Role	2.0
1960	Ohzora no Muhomono Japanese Movie, 1960, (Main Role)	Main Role	2.0
1960	Great Journey Japanese Movie, 1960, [Second Son Shizuo] (Support Role)	[Second Son Shizuo] Support Role	0.0
1960	The Prickly Mouthed Geisha 2 Japanese Movie, 1960, (Main Role)	Main Role	0.0
1960	Tenka no Kaidanji - Mannen Taro Japanese Movie, 1960, Mannen Taro (Main Role)	Mannen Taro Main Role	4.0
1959	The Counterfeiters Japanese Movie, 1959, Ashizawa Ryohei (Main Role)	Ashizawa Ryohei Main Role	0.0
1959	The Silent Murder Japanese Movie, 1959, (Main Role)	Main Role	0.0
1959	A Dead Drifter Japanese Movie, 1959, Yamanaka (Support Role)	Yamanaka Support Role	0.0
1958	The Ideal Girl Japanese Movie, 1958, (Main Role)	Main Role	0.0
1958	The Outsiders Japanese Movie, 1958, Kazamori Ichitaro / "Byakki" (Main Role)	Kazamori Ichitaro / "Byakki" Main Role	6.0
1958	With Songs in My Heart Japanese Movie, 1958, (Support Role)	Support Role	0.0
1957	The Deep Blue Sea Japanese Movie, 1957, Kenji Hamada (Main Role)	Kenji Hamada Main Role	0.0
1957	Employee Full of Fight Japanese Movie, 1957, (Main Role)	Main Role	4.0

Year	Title	#	Role	Rating
1993	Korekara Umibe no Tabibito Tachi Japanese Special, 1993, 1 eps Tsuda Takehiko (Main Role)	1	Tsuda Takehiko Main Role	8.0
1992	Tyrole no Banka Japanese Special, 1992, 1 eps Tateishi Jiro (Main Role)	1	Tateishi Jiro Main Role	0.0