
Tetsuro Tamba
Known for Acting · 350 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 (29)

Yonimo Kimyou na Monogatari Tokubetsuhen
1990

Yoshitsune
2005
as Minamoto no Yorimasa (Gen-ji)

Masked Blade
1983

Marco Polo
1982
as Vasaio

Key Hunter
1968
as 黒木鉄也

HOTEL
1990
as Ohara Tetsutaro

Hashiran ka!
1995
as 前田米吉

Toshiie and Matsu
2002
as Tarozaemon Iguchi

Ōgon no Hibi
1978
as Imai Sōkyū

Inochi
1986
as Takahara Masamichi

Gokenin Zankuro
1995

Matsudaira Ukon Jikencho
1982

The Ginger Tree
1989
as Hirushi Tsushima

水曜ドラマ 宮本武蔵
1984
as 平田無二斎

Life of St. Blue Eyes
1984
as Takeyoshi Takagi

新幹線物語'93夏
1993
as 黒木哲也

Sanada Taiheiki
1985
as Sanada Masayuki

Tokugawa Chronicles: Ambition of the 3 Branches
1986
as Naruse Hayatonosho

Byakkotai
1986
as Jinbo Kuranosuke
Yumemiru Budo
2003
Coming Home
1994
as Shirota Fukuzo

G-Men '75
1975
as 黒木警視

Hanshichi Torimonochō
1992

The Veteran Trio
1999
as Inui Sanshiro

The Tale of Genji
1991
Order Made ~Shiawase Iro no Shinshi Fuku Mise~
2004

Tabaruzaka
1987
as Ôyama Tunayoshi

The Brave Man Says Little
1983
Kaseifu wa mita!
1997
Movies (321)

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

Crayon Shin-chan: Explosion! The Hot Spring's Feel Good Final Battle
1999
as Tamba (voice)

Kwaidan
1965
as Warrior (segment "Hoichi the Earless")

The Imperial Navy
1981
as Jisaburo Ozawa

Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs
1974
as Nagumo

Port Arthur
1980
as Gentaro Kodama

All Men Are Brothers
1975
as Lu Chun I

The Bullet Train
1975
as Sunaga

Violent Streets
1974
as Shimamura Kansai

The Twilight Samurai
2002
as Tozaemon Iguchi

The Sacrifice of the Human Torpedoes
1955

Fireflies in the North
1984
as Ishikura

Thirst for Love
1966
as Kosuke Aso

The Water Margin
1972
as Jade Unicorn, Lu Chun I

Submersion of Japan
1973
as Prime Minister Yamamoto

Night Train
1987
as Isaburo Tamura

Shogun's Samurai
1978
as Ogasawara Gensinsai

Abashiri Prison: Duel in Hokkaido
1967

The Battle of Okinawa
1971
as Lieutenant General Isamu Cho

Battles Without Honor and Humanity
1973

Prophecies of Nostradamus
1974
as Dr. Nishiyama

The Bushido Blade
1981
as Lord Yamato

Onimasa: A Japanese Godfather
1982
as Uichi Suda, The Big Boss

Japan's Violent Gangs: The Boss and the Killers
1969

Four Sisters
1962
as Masao Igarashi

Gozu
2003

Daredevil in the Castle
1961
as Sadamasa Ishikawa

Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight
1973
as Shino

The Gambling Samurai
1960
as Fumizo Mitsuki

A Taxing Woman's Return
1988
as Sadohara

Dead Angle
1979

Mount Hakkoda
1977
as Colonel Kojima

Samurai Reincarnation
1981
as Muramasa

Female Neo-Ninjas
1991
as Time Patrol leader

The Ando Gang Documentary Film
1973

Shogun's Shadow
1989
as Hotta Masamori

Love: Starting on a Journey
1985

Heaven Station
1984

Battle Anthem
1983
as Yamamoto

Graveyard of Honor
2002
as Tetsuji Tokura

Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War
1973
as Tatsuo Akashi

Never Give Up
1978
as General Wada

Four Days of Snow and Blood
1989
as Jinzaburi Shinzaki

The Political Game
1989

Shogun's Ninja
1980
as Tozawa Hakuunsai

Yakuza Ladies 3
1989
as Takeo Sakanishi

Revenge
1964
as Shume Okuno

Emperor of Upheaval
1993

Tokyo Untouchable: Escape
1963
as Goro Kawamoto

Heat Wave
1991
as Denkichi Tsuzaki

Three Outlaw Samurai
1964
as Sakon Shiba

Cabaret
1986
as Yakuza boss

The Geisha
1983
as Kochi Notable

The Castle of Sand
1974
as Detective Eitaro Imanishi

13 Assassins
1963
as Doi Ōkō Toshi

Deadly Outlaw: Rekka
2002
as Sanada

Tokyo Pop
1988
as Mr. Dota

Message from Space
1978
as Ernest Noguchi

Pigs and Battleships
1961
as Slasher Tetsuji

Operation Plazma in Osaka
1976

The 5-Man Army
1969
as Samurai

The Peking Man
1997
as Osone

The Fall of Ako Castle
1978
as Yanagisawa

The Imperial Japanese Empire
1982
as Hideki Tojo

Silence
1971
as Cristóvão Ferreira

The Happiness of the Katakuris
2002
as Granpa Jinpei Katakuri

You're My Destiny
1987

Hunter in the Dark
1979
as Okitsugu Tanuma

Yakuza Demon
2003
as Michitane Tendou

A Madcap Corporation
1983
as Yoshiteru Suma (Suma-gumi Boss)

Goyokin
1969
as Rokugo Tatewaki

The Executioner II: Karate Inferno
1974
as Kimitake Shugi / Moroki

Tidal Wave
1975
as Prime Minister Yamato

Black Lizard
1968
as Kuroki

The Hitman: Blood Smells Like Roses
1991

August Without Emperor
1978
as Army General Mikami

Quarreling with Yakuza
1973

Samurai from Somewhere
1964
as Masagi Shohei

The Shogun Assassins
1979
as Kato Kiyomasa

Sakuya: The Slayer of Demons
2000
as Old Master

The Story of a Man Among Men
1984

The Wolves
1971
as Genryu Asakura

The Making Of The Katakuris
2001

Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron
1978
as Kichibei

The Scandalous Adventures of Buraikan
1970
as Soshun Kochiyama

The Classroom of Terror
1976

Tokyo: The Last War
1989
as Kanaami Kohou / Kan'ami Kouou

Assassination
1964
as Hachiro Kiyokawa

The Armed Organization
1971

Homicide
1964
as Lieutenant Aikawa

To Trap a Kidnapper
1982

Twilight of the Cockroaches
1987
as Grandpa (voice)

Tokyo Blackout
1987
as Nakata

The Last True Yakuza
1985
as Kazumasa Tashiro

Samurai from Nowhere
1964
as Gunjuro Ohba

Under the Flag of the Rising Sun
1972
as Sergeant Katsuo Togashi

The International Gang of Kobe
1975
as Rinsei

Yakuza Skirmishes
1972

Emperor Meiji and the Great Russo-Japanese War
1957
as Rear Admiral Shimamura

Get 'em All
1960
as Tanabe

Conflagration
1975
as Captain Munekata

Shadow Hunters 2: Echo of Destiny
1972
as Kagemetsuke

Men and War I: Prelude to Destiny
1970

A Flame at the Pier
1962

The Domain: Kanto Legends of Chivalry
1965

Human Revolution II
1976

Portrait of Chieko
1967
as Kotaro Takamura
Kaachan
1961

Diamonds of the Andes
1968

Samurai Spy
1965
as Sakon Takatani

T.R.Y.
2003

The School Deviate Waru
1973

Kim's War
1991

Blind Beast vs Killer Dwarf
2001

The Wild Daisy
1981
as Gozaburo Saito

The Stupid Teacher
2000
as Utaemon Baba

The Last Days of Planet Earth
1981
as Dr. Nishiyama
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 350 credits spanning from 1954 to 2006, Tetsuro Tamba has appeared in 321 films and 29 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 CineFlixo, 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
- Crayon Shin-chan: Explosion! The Hot Spring's Feel Good Final Battle (1999) — as Tamba (voice)
Where to Watch Tetsuro Tamba Films
Most Tetsuro Tamba movies and series are available to stream on CineFlixo 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.