Entertainment News

Japanese actor Tatsuo Umemiya dies at 81

Kyodo

Actor and TV personality Tatsuo Umemiya, who appeared in a number of popular films and television dramas, died of chronic kidney failure Thursday morning at a hospital near Tokyo, his agency said. He was 81.

Born in what was then known as Manchukuo, now northeastern China, Umemiya joined film production company Toei Co. in 1958 and raised his profile after starring in “Prince of Space,” a superhero movie for children released the following year.

Umemiya established himself in the industry and went on to play a gang leader in a hit film series. He then acted in a supporting role in “Jingi naki Tatakai” (“Battles Without Honor and Humanity”), a popular 1973 yakuza movie.

Known for his cooking, fishing and singing skills, Umemiya regularly appeared in variety food-focused TV programs. As a businessman, he ran a number of pickle stores.

His daughter Anna is a TV personality and model. Umemiya underwent surgery for prostate cancer in September last year and another operation for ureteral cancer in January.

GET THE BEST OF THE JAPAN TIMES IN FIVE EASY PIECES WITH TAKE 5

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

LATEST ENTERTAINMENT NEWS STORIES

Oscar-nominated 'Parasite' could open overseas eyes to more South Korean films: The Oscar nominations for the South Korean black comedy "Parasite" are the latest illustration of its success in the United States, but a widespread aversion to subtitles still stands between South...

Makoto Furukawa (right), winner of the Akutagawa Prize, and Soichi Kawagoe, winner of the Naoki Prize, hold copies of their respective books at a Tokyo hotel on Wednesday.

Novelists Makoto Furukawa and Soichi Kawagoe to receive Japan's Akutagawa and Naoki literary prizes: The winners of the prestigious Akutagawa and Naoki literary awards were selected Wednesday, with two novelists earning acclaim for their respective works about the past and present lives of a famil...

Japanese makeup artist Kazu Hiro nets Oscar nomination for 'Bombshell': Japanese makeup artist Kazu Hiro was nominated Monday for an Academy Award for best makeup and hairstyling. Hiro, 50, shares the nomination with colleagues Anne Morgan and Vivian Baker for their...