Takeshi Kitano

Takeshi Kitano

Born 1947-01-18 (age 79) Tokyo, Japan
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Biography

Takeshi Kitano (北野 武, Kitano Takeshi, born January 18, 1947), also known in Japan as Beat Takeshi (ビートたけし, Bīto Takeshi), is a Japanese comedian, actor, and filmmaker. While he is known primarily as a comedian and TV host in his native Japan, he is better known abroad for his work as a filmmaker and actor as well as TV host.

Kitano rose to prominence in the 1970s as one half of the comedy duo Two Beat, before going solo and becoming one of the three biggest comedians in the country. After several small acting roles, he made his directorial debut with 1989's Violent Cop and garnered international acclaim for Sonatine (1993). He was not widely accepted as an accomplished director in Japan until Hana-bi won the Golden Lion in 1997. In October 2017, Kitano completed his Outrage crime trilogy with the release of Outrage Coda. He is also known internationally for hosting the game show Takeshi's Castle (1986–1990) and starring in the film Battle Royale (2000).

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Known For

Ghost in the Shell
Ghost in the Shell

2017

as Aramaki

Battle Royale
Battle Royale

2000

as Kitano

Johnny Mnemonic
Johnny Mnemonic

1995

as Takahashi

Kikujiro
Kikujiro

1999

as Kikujiro

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence
Fireworks
Fireworks

1997

as Yoshitaka Nishi

Zatoichi
Zatoichi

2003

as Zatoichi / Ichi

Sonatine
Sonatine

1993

as Aniki Murakawa

Outrage
Outrage

2010

as Otomo

Brother
Brother

2000

as Aniki Yamamoto

Battle Royale II: Requiem
Beyond Outrage
Beyond Outrage

2012

as Otomo

Outrage Coda
Outrage Coda

2017

as Otomo

Violent Cop
Violent Cop

1989

as Azuma Ryosuke

To Each His Own Cinema
To Each His Own Cinema

2007

as The projectionist (segment "Rencontre unique")

Boiling Point
Boiling Point

1990

as Uehara

A Special Day
A Special Day

2012

as Self

Taboo
Taboo

1999

as Toshizo Hijikata

Ryuzo and the Seven Henchmen
Ryuzo and the Seven Henchmen

2015

as Detective Murakami

Trespassing Bergman