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, Tambas 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.Tambas 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 werent confined to the screen alone. Tamba lent his voice to characters like the Cat King in Studio Ghiblis 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.

All movies available from Tetsuro Tamba

Poster movie Deadly Outlaw: Rekka

Deadly Outlaw: Rekka

Movie
Poster movie The Executioner II: Karate Inferno

The Executioner II: Karat

Movie
Poster movie Shogun's Shadow

Shogun's Shadow

Movie
Poster movie Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga

Battles Without Honor and

Movie
Poster movie Shogun's Ninja

Shogun's Ninja

Movie
Poster movie High Seas Hijack

High Seas Hijack

Movie
Poster movie The Bullet Train

The Bullet Train

Movie
Poster movie Four Sisters

Four Sisters

Movie
Poster movie Shogun's Samurai

Shogun's Samurai

Movie

Movies unavailable from Tetsuro Tamba

You Only Live Twice

Tiger Tanaka

Movie 1967

Minamoto Yoshitsune

Movie 1991

Kwaidan

Warrior (segment "Hoichi the Earless")

Movie 1965

Operation Diamond

Kazuo Kasami

Movie 1962

Spycatcher J3: SOS Close Shave

J1 (TULIP Japan Branch Chief)

Movie 1966

Pigs and Battleships

Slasher Tetsuji

Movie 1961

Tokyo Gang Vs. Hong Kong Gang

Movie 1964

Demon Pond

Movie 2005

South Pacific Waves Are High

Movie 1962

Gozu

Movie 2003

The Wolves

Genryu Asakura

Movie 1971

King of Pornography

Movie 1971

The Castle of Sand

Detective Eitaro Imanishi

Movie 1974

Hawk of the Harbour

Movie 1967

Tokyo Untouchable

Goro Kawamoto

Movie 1962

The Cat Returns

Cat King (voice)

Movie 2002

長七郎江戸日記スペシャル 長七郎 大奥まかり通る

Movie 1989

The Water Margin

Jade Unicorn, Lu Chun I

Movie 1972

13 Assassins

Movie 1990

Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs

Nagumo

Movie 1974

Under the Flag of the Rising Sun

Sergeant Katsuo Togashi

Movie 1972

Futari dake no toride

Movie 1963

The Happiness of the Katakuris

Granpa Jinpei Katakuri

Movie 2002

Hunter in the Dark

Okitsugu Tanuma

Movie 1979

Cherry Blossoms in the Air - The Suicide Raiders - Oh, Buddies!

Movie 1970

The 5-Man Army

Samurai

Movie 1969

Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky

Master Zhang

Movie 1991

Violent Streets

Shimamura Kansai

Movie 1974

Samurai Spy

Sakon Takatani

Movie 1965

Goyokin

Rokugo Tatewaki

Movie 1969

The Peking Man

Osone

Movie 1997

Gamblers: The Dragon Tattoo

Movie 1967

Hibari no san'yaku: Zoku Kei tsuya yuki no jôhenge

Movie 1957

Hibari no san'yaku: Kei tsuya yuki no jôhenge

Movie 1957

Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World 2: I was surprised when I died!!

Ryo Okamoto

Movie 1990

Tetsuro Tamba’s Great Spiritual World 3: Amazing Reincarnation Story That Ran Around the Whole

Movie 1994

The Political Game

Movie 1989

Silence

Cristóvão Ferreira

Movie 1971

Revenge

Shume Okuno

Movie 1964

The Sound of the Waves

Movie 1985

The School Deviate Waru

Movie 1973

The 7th Dawn

Ng

Movie 1964

Shadow Hunters 2: Echo of Destiny

Kagemetsuke

Movie 1972

Shadow Hunters

Movie 1972

Three Outlaw Samurai

Sakon Shiba

Movie 1964

Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron

Kichibei

Movie 1978

Japanese Hell

Asu Shino

Movie 1999

Assassination

Hachiro Kiyokawa

Movie 1964

鬼姫競艶録

Movie 1956

Submersion of Japan

Prime Minister Yamamoto

Movie 1973

Bohachi Bushido: Code of the Forgotten Eight

Shino

Movie 1973

Umineko ga tonde

Movie 1962

Blackmail Is My Life

Movie 1968

Samon’s Hell Revenge: Unauthorised Jutte Records 2 - The Assassination of the Shogun

Movie 1983

Tokugawa Ieyasu – TBS Warlord Special

Movie 1988

Screwed

Landlord

Movie 1998

The Villain from Edo Kochiyama Soshun

Movie 1982

Mount Hakkoda

Colonel Kojima

Movie 1977

Heat Wave

Denkichi Tsuzaki

Movie 1991

Twilight Saloon

Morimoto

Movie 1955

Aurora Borealis

Tsuneiro Kamisaka

Movie 1990

Bridge to the Sun

Jiro

Movie 1961

The Tale of Genji

Movie 1991

The Tale of Saikaido

Movie 1983

Prophecies of Nostradamus

Dr. Nishiyama

Movie 1974

Zero Fighter

Captain Saito

Movie 1976

Crimson Bat - Oichi: Wanted, Dead or Alive

Hyoe

Movie 1970

Ino Tadataka: Meridian dreams

Movie 2001

Ankoku gai jingi

Movie 1965

Zankokuna tsuki

Movie 1962

The White Tiger Battalion

Movie 1986

The Scandalous Adventures of Buraikan

Soshun Kochiyama

Movie 1970

Dai shinrin ni mukatte tatsu

Movie 1961

Shōwa Gokudōshi

Movie 1972

Kuronekokan ni Kieta Otoko

Movie 1956

Detective

Movie 1964

Homicide

Lieutenant Aikawa

Movie 1964

Hanran

Captain Koda

Movie 1954

Kōgen ni ressha ga hashitta

Movie 1984

Men and War I: Prelude to Destiny

Movie 1970

A Taxing Woman's Return

Sadohara

Movie 1988

Capone: Roppongi Renkin no Teio

Movie 2004

The Return of the Filthy Seven

Movie 1967

The Gambler

Movie 1965

Sky Scraper!

Movie 1969

Kizu-darake no futeki-sha

Movie 1963

Tokyo Untouchable: Escape

Goro Kawamoto

Movie 1963

The Code of Man

Movie 1968

Onimasa: A Japanese Godfather

Uichi Suda, The Big Boss

Movie 1982

The Kingdom of Jirocho 3

Movie 1964

Shura Group

Movie 2002

Kim's War

Movie 1991

The Duel in the forbidden territory

Movie 1983

Red Flowers of Hell

Movie 1961

Uragirimono wa jigoku daze

Movie 1962

Bond Girls Are Forever

Tiger Tanaka (archive footage) (uncredited)

Movie 2002

The Exotic Locations of 'You Only Live Twice'

Tiger Tanaka (archive footage)

Movie 2006

Tokyo Drifters

Movie 1966

Best Ever Bond

Tiger Tanaka (archive footage) (uncredited)

Movie 2002

Mysterious Clouds: Legend of Satomi's Heroic Deed

Aboshi Samajirô

Movie 1957

Element of Surprise

Movie 1963

The Imperial Japanese Empire

Hideki Tojo

Movie 1982

Zero

Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto

Movie 1984

Battle Anthem

Yamamoto

Movie 1983

Monument to Holy Service

Movie 1978

Shura Group Part 2

Movie 2002

Shura Group Part 1

Movie 2002

剣聖　暁の三十六番斬り

Movie 1957

You're My Destiny

Movie 1987

Ronin on a Mission

Ōishi Kuranosuke

Movie 1987

雪夫人繪圖

Movie 1975

Seven Nights in Japan

Terrorist Leader (uncredited)

Movie 1976

The Gambling Samurai

Fumizo Mitsuki

Movie 1960

Never Give Up

General Wada

Movie 1978

Battles Without Honor and Humanity

Movie 1973

April Fish

Panapora Chief Handa

Movie 1986

Tokyo Blackout

Nakata

Movie 1987

Sakuya: The Slayer of Demons

Old Master

Movie 2000

The Battle of Okinawa

Lieutenant General Isamu Cho

Movie 1971

Mukeisatsu

Movie 1959

The Alaska Story

Arashuk

Movie 1977

Greatest Boss of the Showa Era

Movie 1966

A Flame at the Pier

Movie 1962

Shinran: Path to Purity

Movie 1987

Psychic: Traveler to the Unknown

Movie 1994

Kuro to aka no hanabira

Movie 1962

Dead Angle

Movie 1979

Kukai

Movie 1984

Female Neo-Ninjas

Time Patrol leader

Movie 1991

金語楼の雷社長

Movie 1956

Army Intelligence

Lieutenant Colonel Akiyama

Movie 1968

Rajo to satsujin-meiro

Senba

Movie 1959

Samurai from Nowhere

Gunjuro Ohba

Movie 1964

Speed King

Movie 1956

Harakiri

Hikokuro Omodaka

Movie 1962

A Class to Remember IV: Fifteen

Tetsuo Hatake

Movie 2000

The Fencing Collegian

Movie 1956

Gang vs. Gang

Movie 1962

Kyōen Kobanzame

Movie 1958

Emperor Meiji and the Great Russo-Japanese War

Rear Admiral Shimamura

Movie 1957

The Wild Daisy

Gozaburo Saito

Movie 1981

Flickering Flames

Movie 1977

Kingoro's Soldier

Movie 1956

The Bad Boss

Movie 1968

Samurai from Somewhere

Movie 1964

The Ceiling at Utsunomiya

Kurozumi Tenzen

Movie 1956

Blind Beast vs Dwarf Killer

Movie 2001

Tokyo Pop

Mr. Dota

Movie 1988

Be Free!

Keizo Hasegawa

Movie 1986

G-Men in the Pacific

Mizuhara

Movie 1962

Tange Sazen

Movie 1963

Call from Darkness

Sugibayashi

Movie 1981

A Madcap Corporation

Movie 1983

Abashiri Prison

Tsumaki

Movie 1965

Jubaku: Spellbound

Tajiro Kawakami

Movie 1999

Human Revolution II

Movie 1976

Submarine Ro Hasn't Surfaced

Movie 1954

Night Train

Isaburo Tamura

Movie 1987

Suspicion

Kanetaka Okamura

Movie 1982

The Challenge

Takayama

Movie 1962

Nezumi Kozō kaitō den

Movie 1984

August without Emperor

Army General Mikami

Movie 1978

Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War

Tatsuo Akashi

Movie 1973

There Goes Benio, the Smart Girl

Movie 1987

The Shogun's Vault

Movie 1964

An Outlaw

Movie 1964

The Young Eagles of the Kamikaze

Movie 1968

Quick on the Trigger

Movie 1958

Graveyard of Honor

Tetsuji Tokura

Movie 2002

Queen of Asia

Movie 1957

Conflagration

Captain Munekata

Movie 1975

Underwater Murder

Movie 1958

All Rascals

Movie 1962

Daredevil in the Castle

Sadamasa Ishikawa

Movie 1961

Flames of Blood

Movie 1981

Choshichiro's Edo Diaries: The Yagyu Conspiracy

Yagyu Munefuyu

Movie 1984

The Pacific War and the International Military Tribunal

Movie 1959

Kingorō no kaigun taishô

Movie 1959

Kaachan

Movie 1961

The Incident

Lawyer Kikuchi

Movie 1978

Gambler's Farewell

Tetsuji Kasai

Movie 1968

The International Gang of Kobe

Rinsei

Movie 1975

Mysterious Pygmy

Movie 1955

All Men Are Brothers

Lu Chun I

Movie 1975

Nichiren

Movie 1979

Jakoman and Tetsu

Jakoman

Movie 1964

Thirst for Love

Kosuke Aso

Movie 1966

Greed in Broad Daylight

Miyahara

Movie 1961

Yakuza Ladies 3

Takeo Sakanishi

Movie 1989

Blood of Revenge

Yutaro Nomura

Movie 1965

The Ghost of Kasane

Jinjûrô Ômura

Movie 1957

A Wicked Woman

Ihei Ôsawa

Movie 1958

Organized Violence II

Police Inspector Kitagawa

Movie 1967

Four Days of Snow and Blood

Jinzaburi Shinzaki

Movie 1989

King of the Gang

Movie 1967

Penitentiary Brothers

Movie 1969

The Private Police

Movie 1969

Tales of Young Genji Kuro 3

Movie 1962

The Way to The Gold Medals

President Sakakibara

Movie 1980

Fireflies in the North

Ishikura

Movie 1984

The Last True Yakuza

Kazumasa Tashiro

Movie 1985

Gang vs. G-Men

Toru Tezuka

Movie 1962

Dissolution Rites

Sakai

Movie 1967

Yakuza Skirmishes

Movie 1972

Quarreling with Yakuza

Movie 1973

Black Lizard

Kuroki

Movie 1968

The Ando Gang Documentary Film

Movie 1973

Portrait of Chieko

Kotaro Takamura

Movie 1967

Crayon Shin-chan: Explosion! The Hot Spring's Feel Good Final Battle

Tamba (voice)

Movie 1999

The Fall of Ako Castle

Yanagisawa

Movie 1978

Samurai Reincarnation

Muramasa

Movie 1981

13 Assassins

Doi Ōkō Toshi

Movie 1963

Wild Cop 2

Movie 1973

Sazen Tange and The Secret of the Urn

Lord Tsushima Yagyu

Movie 1966

The Geisha

Kochi Notable

Movie 1983

The Imperial Navy

Jisaburo Ozawa

Movie 1981

The Yellow Climate

Movie 1961

The Classroom of Terror

Movie 1976

The Armed Organization

Movie 1971

Red Peony Gambler: Biographies of a Gambling Room

Movie 1969

To Trap a Kidnapper

Movie 1982

Eleven Gangsters

Movie 1963

Port Arthur

Gentaro Kodama

Movie 1980

Twilight of the Cockroaches

Grandpa (voice)

Movie 1987

The Shogun Assassins

Kato Kiyomasa

Movie 1979

Get 'em All

Tanabe

Movie 1960

L・O・V・I・N・G

Movie 1983

The Thousand Year Fire

Movie 2004

Once and For All

Movie 1967

A Case of Murder by the Atami Station Taxi Stand

Movie 2003

The Story of a Man Among Men

Movie 1984

Destroyer Yukikaze

Movie 1964

Blood and Law

Movie 1965

Rise and Fall of Chivalry

Movie 1970

The Gambler's Counterattack

Chief Inspector

Movie 1971

Organized Violence

Movie 1967

Informal Dress

Movie 1972

Japan's Violent Gangs: The Boss and the Killers

Movie 1969

The Kii River

Shintani Kosaku

Movie 1966

Gang Loyalty and Vengeance

Gu Shimizu

Movie 1963

Mist and Shadows

Yusuke Komiya

Movie 1961

The Sacrifice of the Human Torpedoes

Movie 1955

Female Slave Ship

Movie 1960

The Sand Boat

Movie 1980

Japan's Top Gangster

Noboru Yamaguchi

Movie 1973

The Twilight Samurai

Tozaemon Iguchi

Movie 2002

Operation Plazma in Osaka

Movie 1976

Organized Crime: Killer's Glory

Movie 1972

1750 Days of Turbulence

Movie 1990

Abashiri Prison: Duel in Hokkaido

Movie 1967

Postwar Secrets

Kuroki

Movie 1970

The Domain: Kanto Legends of Chivalry

Movie 1965

Murderer!

Nīto Kouken

Movie 1976

The Bushido Blade

Lord Yamato

Movie 1981

Love: Starting on a Journey

Movie 1985

Tale of Ninja Duty

Mumyo Tsunataro

Movie 1965

Emperor & Empress Meiji and the Sino-Japanese War

Keisuke Otori

Movie 1958

Karafuto 1945 Summer

Movie 1974

Yakuza Warfare

Movie 1991

School Be-In Bully

Ryotaro Sakurazawa

Movie 1990

Vendetta of Obligation

Movie 1985

The Great Duel

Movie 1964

The Human Revolution

Movie 1973

The Making Of The Katakuris

Movie 2001

Game of Chance 3

Movie 1967

Company Buggers

Movie 1975

Gamblers and Racketeers

Movie 1964

New Abashiri Prison Story: Honor and Humanity, Ammunition That Attracts the Storm

Movie 1972

Cabaret

Yakuza boss

Movie 1986

Secret Prophecies of Nostradamus

Himself

Movie 1974

Message from Space

Ernest Noguchi

Movie 1978

The Stupid Teacher

Utaemon Baba

Movie 2000

The Supernormal II

Movie 1993

Sugata Sanshiro

Iinuma

Movie 1977

Troops of Darkness

Movie 1971

Teruo Ishii Fan Club

Movie 2006

Taira no Kiyomori

Movie 1992

The Great Shogunate Battle

Movie 1991

Gang and G-Men Part 2

手塚徹

Movie 1963

Lone Rebel

Movie 1969

The Corporation

Movie 1976

T.R.Y.

Movie 2003

Hell's Kitchen

Movie 1962

Drive for the Future

Akiji Nishikawa

Movie 1980

花眞珠

Movie 1955

Tabaruzaka

Movie 1987

The Prosecutor and His Sister

Movie 1956

Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World: What Happens When You Die

吉野博士

Movie 1989

Admiral Yamamoto and the Allied Fleets

Movie 1956

The Hitman Blood Smells Like Roses

Movie 1991

Zero sen no jorō gun

Movie 1960

Snake Woman's Curse

Commander

Movie 1968

Tokyo: The Last War

Movie 1989

Yakuza Demon

Michitane Tendou

Movie 2003

Lady Vengeance and the 47 Ronin

Movie 1983

High-Ranking Yakuza

Movie 1965

Tv series unavailable from Tetsuro Tamba

Ōgon no Hibi

Imai Sōkyū

Tv 1978

Kaseifu wa mita!

Tv 1997

Order Made ~Shiawase Iro no Shinshi Fuku Mise~

Tv 2004

Yoshitsune

Minamoto no Yorimasa (Gen-ji)

Tv 2005

Yumemiru Budo

Tv 2003

Yonimo Kimyou na Monogatari Tokubetsuhen

Tv 1990

Matsudaira Ukon Jikencho

Tv 1982

HOTEL

Ohara Tetsutaro

Tv 1990

Toshiie and Matsu

Tarozaemon Iguchi

Tv 2002

Tokugawa Chronicles: Ambition of the 3 Branches

Naruse Hayatonosho

Tv 1986

水曜ドラマ 宮本武蔵

平田無二斎

Tv 1984

Gokenin Zankuro

Tv 1995

Hanshichi Torimonochō

Tv 1992

Hashiran ka!

前田米吉

Tv 1995

Coming Home

Shirota Fukuzo

Tv 1994

Sanada Taiheiki

Sanada Masayuki

Tv 1985

新幹線物語'93夏

黒木哲也

Tv 1993

Marco Polo

Vasaio

Tv 1982

Inochi

Takahara Masamichi

Tv 1986

Byakkotai

Jinbo Kuranosuke

Tv 1986

The Veteran Trio

Inui Sanshiro

Tv 1999