
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)

Key Hunter
1968
as 黒木鉄也

Masked Blade
1983

Marco Polo
1982
as Vasaio

HOTEL
1990
as Ohara Tetsutaro

Toshiie and Matsu
2002
as Tarozaemon Iguchi

Hashiran ka!
1995
as 前田米吉

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

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

Sanada Taiheiki
1985
as Sanada Masayuki

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

The Brave Man Says Little
1983

Tabaruzaka
1987
as Ôyama Tunayoshi
Kaseifu wa mita!
1997
Movies (321)

Harakiri
1962
as Hikokuro Omodaka

Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky
1991
as Master Zhang

You Only Live Twice
1967
as Tiger Tanaka

The Cat Returns
2002
as Cat King (voice)

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

The Imperial Navy
1981
as Jisaburo Ozawa

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

Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs
1974
as Nagumo

Night Train
1987
as Isaburo Tamura

Submersion of Japan
1973
as Prime Minister Yamamoto

All Men Are Brothers
1975
as Lu Chun I

The Sacrifice of the Human Torpedoes
1955

Fireflies in the North
1984
as Ishikura

Port Arthur
1980
as Gentaro Kodama

The Water Margin
1972
as Jade Unicorn, Lu Chun I

The Twilight Samurai
2002
as Tozaemon Iguchi

Violent Streets
1974
as Shimamura Kansai

Thirst for Love
1966
as Kosuke Aso

Shogun's Samurai
1978
as Ogasawara Gensinsai

Abashiri Prison: Duel in Hokkaido
1967

The Bullet Train
1975
as Sunaga

The Bushido Blade
1981
as Lord Yamato

Prophecies of Nostradamus
1974
as Dr. Nishiyama

A Taxing Woman's Return
1988
as Sadohara

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

Female Neo-Ninjas
1991
as Time Patrol leader

Gozu
2003

The Battle of Okinawa
1971
as Lieutenant General Isamu Cho

Four Sisters
1962
as Masao Igarashi

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

Battles Without Honor and Humanity
1973

Message from Space
1978
as Ernest Noguchi

The Gambling Samurai
1960
as Fumizo Mitsuki

Daredevil in the Castle
1961
as Sadamasa Ishikawa

Samurai Reincarnation
1981
as Muramasa

Shogun's Shadow
1989
as Hotta Masamori

Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight
1973
as Shino

Tokyo Untouchable: Escape
1963
as Goro Kawamoto

Shogun's Ninja
1980
as Tozawa Hakuunsai

The Geisha
1983
as Kochi Notable

The Peking Man
1997
as Osone

The Ando Gang Documentary Film
1973

Three Outlaw Samurai
1964
as Sakon Shiba

Dead Angle
1979

Love: Starting on a Journey
1985

Never Give Up
1978
as General Wada

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

Tokyo Pop
1988
as Mr. Dota

Tidal Wave
1975
as Prime Minister Yamato

Mount Hakkoda
1977
as Colonel Kojima

Pigs and Battleships
1961
as Slasher Tetsuji

The Political Game
1989

Four Days of Snow and Blood
1989
as Jinzaburi Shinzaki

Emperor of Upheaval
1993

Battle Anthem
1983
as Yamamoto

The Castle of Sand
1974
as Detective Eitaro Imanishi

Men and War I: Prelude to Destiny
1970

Yakuza Ladies 3
1989
as Takeo Sakanishi

The Happiness of the Katakuris
2002
as Granpa Jinpei Katakuri

Heat Wave
1991
as Denkichi Tsuzaki

The 5-Man Army
1969
as Samurai

Graveyard of Honor
2002
as Tetsuji Tokura

August Without Emperor
1978
as Army General Mikami

The Shogun Assassins
1979
as Kato Kiyomasa

You're My Destiny
1987

Goyokin
1969
as Rokugo Tatewaki

Revenge
1964
as Shume Okuno

Assassination
1964
as Hachiro Kiyokawa

Heaven Station
1984

The Last True Yakuza
1985
as Kazumasa Tashiro

The Fall of Ako Castle
1978
as Yanagisawa

Black Lizard
1968
as Kuroki

Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron
1978
as Kichibei

Samurai from Somewhere
1964
as Masagi Shohei

Deadly Outlaw: Rekka
2002
as Sanada

The Imperial Japanese Empire
1982
as Hideki Tojo

13 Assassins
1963
as Doi Ōkō Toshi

The Story of a Man Among Men
1984

Greatest Boss of the Showa Era
1966

Cabaret
1986
as Yakuza boss

Samurai Spy
1965
as Sakon Takatani

T.R.Y.
2003

Silence
1971
as Cristóvão Ferreira

Sakuya: The Slayer of Demons
2000
as Old Master

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

Homicide
1964
as Lieutenant Aikawa

Human Revolution II
1976

Portrait of Chieko
1967
as Kotaro Takamura

The Hitman: Blood Smells Like Roses
1991

Yakuza Skirmishes
1972

The Armed Organization
1971

Suspicion
1982
as Kanetaka Okamura

Hunter in the Dark
1979
as Okitsugu Tanuma

The Classroom of Terror
1976

Twilight of the Cockroaches
1987
as Grandpa (voice)

Tokyo Blackout
1987
as Nakata

Abashiri Prison
1965
as Tsumaki

The Shogun's Vault
1964

Yakuza Demon
2003
as Michitane Tendou

Flames of Blood
1981

Rise and Fall of Chivalry
1970
A Case of Murder by the Atami Station Taxi Stand
2003

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

Call from Darkness
1981
as Sugibayashi

Shadow Hunters 2: Echo of Destiny
1972
as Kagemetsuke
Kaachan
1961

The International Gang of Kobe
1975
as Rinsei

Operation Plazma in Osaka
1976

Diamonds of the Andes
1968

Quarreling with Yakuza
1973

Samurai from Nowhere
1964
as Gunjuro Ohba

The Wolves
1971
as Genryu Asakura

13 Assassins
1990

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

To Trap a Kidnapper
1982

Be-In Bully High School
1990
as Ryotaro Sakurazawa

The Making Of The Katakuris
2001

The 7th Dawn
1964
as Ng

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

Emperor & Empress Meiji and the Sino-Japanese War
1958
as Keisuke Otori
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 Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Tetsuro Tamba Movies
- Harakiri (1962) — as Hikokuro Omodaka
- Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky (1991) — as Master Zhang
- You Only Live Twice (1967) — as Tiger Tanaka
- The Cat Returns (2002) — as Cat King (voice)
- 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 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.