was a Japanese actor, television personality, and artist from Kisarazu, Chiba. He was represented by the Furutachi Project agency.
Biography Nakao attended Chiba Prefectural Kisarazu High School from 1958, and entered Musashino Art University from 1961. Also in 1961, he was selected in the "5th Nikkatsu New Face" talent competition.
In 1963, he left Musashino Art University to study in Paris, France. On returning to Japan in 1964, he enrolled in the theatre company, where he studied under Jūkichi Uno. In 1971, he left the Mingei theatre group to work as a freelance actor.
In 1978, he married actress Shino Ikenami, the daughter of rakugo comedian Kingentei Basho. They received the "Nice Couple Award" in 2008.
In 1988, he started studying ceramics under Masaaki Kosugi in Karatsu, Saga.
Death Akira Nakao died from heart failure on May 16, 2024, at the age of 81.
Acting career Nakao has appeared in jidaigeki (period dramas) and contemporary dramas on television and film, as well as variety shows. Fans of Abarenbō Shōgun immediately recognize him as the scheming Tokugawa Muneharu, arch-rival of the eighth shogun Yoshimune. He played the role for twenty years. Film appearances include five episodes in the series Gokudō no Onna-tachi and six Godzilla movies. He also acted in the 1992 Juzo Itami film Minbo: the Gentle Art of Japanese Extortion.
In 2015, Nakao won the award for best supporting actor of Tokyo Sports Film Award for his role in Ryuzo and the Seven Henchmen.
Filmography
Film (1964) The Vampire Doll (1970) Death at an Old Mansion (1975) Kaerazaru hibi (1978) Nihon no Fixer (1979) Shikake-nin Baian (1981) Ninja Wars (1982) Haru no Kane (1985) Minbo: the Gentle Art of Japanese Extortion (1992) Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993), Takaki Aso Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994), Takaki Aso Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995), Takaki Aso Hissatsu! Shamisenya no Yuji (1999) Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2002), Hayato Igarashi Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003), Hayato Igarashi Godzilla: Final Wars (2004), original Gotengo captain Achilles and the Tortoise (2008), art collector Hagetaka: The Movie (The Vulture) (2009) Inu to Anata no Monogatari (2011) Outrage Beyond (2012), gangster Heroine Shikkaku (2015), Himself Ryuzo and the Seven Henchmen (2015), Mokichi Tonde Saitama (2019) Ninkyō Gakuen (2019) Let's Talk About the Old Times (2022), himself
Television Shin Heike Monogatari (1972) - Taira no Tadanori Castle of Sand (1977) Tokyo Megure Keishi (1978) (episode 23) Ai no Arashi (1986), Saegusa Den'emon (Japanese adaptation of Wuthering Heights) Homura Tatsu (1993–94) - Emperor Go-Shirakawa Shonan Junai-gumi! (1995) - Principal Dokudai Tokiaritsune Hideyoshi (1996) - Shibata Katsuie Great Teacher Onizuka (1998) - Hiroshi Uchiyamada Yoshitsune (2005) - Kajiwara Kagetoki Tenchijin (2009) - Mōri Terumoto Ryōmaden (2010) - Shigeta Ichijirō Clouds Over the Hill - (2010) - Hidaka Sōnojō Sanctuary (2023), Kumada-oyakata
Video games Judge Eyes (2018) - Ryuzo Genda Lost Judgment (2021) - Ryuzo Genda
Awards 1980: Bronze Award at Le Salon exhibition in France 1981: Grand Prix at Le Salon exhibition in France 1982: International Award at Le Salon exhibition in France
References
External links Agency profile
Akira Nakao at Toho Kingdom