Keiko Yamamoto (山本 圭子, Yamamoto Keiko; August 7, 1940 – April 18, 2024) was a Japanese voice actress and narrator from Osaka Prefecture. Many of her voice acting roles were older women, young boys, or tomboyish young girls.
She is best known for her voice acting roles as the titular character in Tensai Bakabon, Hanako Hanazawa in Sazae-san, Sunakake Babaa in GeGeGe no Kitaro, Chikako in Himitsu no Akko-chan, the titular character in Ganbare!! Robocon, and Shōta Yamada in Chibi Maruko-chan.
Contents
Biography
Yamamoto was born in Osaka Prefecture on August 7, 1940.
Ever since she was a child, she wanted to become a singer and graduated from the Department of Home Economics at the Soai Women's Junior College.
"Bitten by the acting bug" during her days as a student, Yamamoto moved to Tokyo after she graduated from college. She, relying on her older brother working as a manager at the Senuza theater troupe at the time, joined the theater troupe, where she learned the fundamentals of theater.
Originally Yamamoto wanted to be a live-action actress, but changed her mind and decided to become a voice actress instead, realizing, "as an actress, I would absolutely never get to play beautiful roles" and "with voice acting, your face doesn't matter, and I can even play handsome young boy roles."
She made her anime debut in 1963 as the voice of Wally in Wolf Boy Ken.
After working with the Tokyo Actor's Consumer's Cooperative Society, she participated in the founding of Aoni Production in 1969 and was affiliated with the company up until her death.
Starting in 1972, Yamamoto became the second voice actress of the character Hanako Hanazawa in Sazae-san.
In late 2020, it was announced that Yamamoto would take a hiatus from Sazae-san in order to receive treatment for a leg fracture, with Kazue Ikura serving as her substitute.
In October 2023, it was announced that Yamamoto stepped down from the role of Hanako Hanazawa on Sazae-san after over 50 years. Later that same year, she also stepped down from her role as Shōta Yamada on Chibi Maruko-chan.
Death
Yamamoto died from sepsis on April 18, 2024, at the age of 83. Per her family's wishes, her death was not officially announced until July 28 of that year.
Successors
Following Yamamoto stepping down from her roles due to her advancing age and subsequent death, the following individuals have taken over some of her voice acting roles.
Filmography
Video games
Popful Mail (1994) (Gaw, PC Engine version)
Kingdom Hearts II (2005) (Chicken Little)
Dark Chronicle (????) (Future Rin)
Super Dodge Ball (1996) (Misuzu)
Tokusatsu
Chōriki Sentai Ohranger (1995) (voice of Bara Hungry)
Chouriki Sentai Ohranger Movie (1995) (voice of Kabochumpkin)
Ganbare!! Robocon (1999) (voice of Robocon)
Dubbing
Chicken Little (Chicken Little)
Watership Down (Pipkin)