Ken Takakura (高倉 健, Takakura Ken), born Goichi Oda (小田 剛一, Oda Gōichi, February 16, 1931 – November 10, 2014), was a Japanese actor and singer who appeared in over 200 films. Affectionately referred to as "Ken-san" by audiences, he was best known for his brooding style and the stoic presence he brought to his roles.[1] He won the Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role four times, more than any other actor.[2] Takakura additionally received the Japanese Medal of Honor with purple ribbon in 1998, the Person of Cultural Merit award in 2006, and the Order of Culture in 2013.
Notable Movies
- Too Late the Hero as Major Yamaguchi (1970)
- The Yakuza as Ken Tanaka (1972)
- Black Rain as Assistant Inspector Masahiro "Mas" Matsumoto (1989)
- Mr. Baseball as Uchiyama (1992)