Akira Nakao (中尾 彬, Nakao Akira; August 11, 1942 – May 16, 2024) was a Japanese actor, television personality, and artist from Kisarazu, Chiba. He was represented by the Furutachi Project agency.
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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 Mingei (民芸) 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
Getsuyōbi no Yuka (月曜日のユカ) (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
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
