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Tatsuya Nakadai

What's After the Movie

Tatsuya Nakadai

Tatsuya Nakadai (仲代 達矢, Nakadai Tatsuya, born Motohisa Nakadai) is a distinguished Japanese actor born on December 13, 1932. Nakadai has carved a formidable career in the film industry, contributing significantly to the arts and working with some of Japan's most revered filmmakers. Throughout his career, he starred or co-starred in five films directed by the legendary Akira Kurosawa, and his talent extended well beyond those collaborations. By also featuring in prominent films directed by Hiroshi Teshigahara, Mikio Naruse, Kihachi Okamoto, Hideo Gosha, Shirō Toyoda, and Kon Ichikawa, Nakadai proved his versatility and range. His life took a significant turn when, working as a shop clerk in Tokyo, he had a chance meeting with director Masaki Kobayashi, who cast him in the film 'The Thick Walled Room'. His breakthrough came with his performance as a young yakuza in Kobayashi's 'Black River', which followed his uncredited cameo in Kurosawa's 'Seven Samurai'. His career further skyrocketed when he won the Blue Ribbon Award for his role in 'Harakiri'. He continued to make substantial contributions to the industry, impressing critics and audiences with his performances, notably a dual role in 'Kagemusha' that helped him earn a second Blue Ribbon Award.

Nakadai's impact in the film industry isn't limited to his own performances. He has also shaped the careers of promising young actors, including Kōji Yakusho, Mayumi Wakamura, Tōru Masuoka, Azusa Watanabe, and Kenichi Takitō, among others. His influence and service to the culture have been recognized with numerous honors including the 'Order of Culture' in 2015. Beyond acting, he has an enduring love for Broadway musicals and even traveled to New York City annually to enjoy them.

94 movies

Explore the best of Tatsuya Nakadai – top movies, iconic roles, and must-see performances!

Biography, Career & Filmography

Learn more about Tatsuya Nakadai, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Tatsuya Nakadai rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.


Given Name: Motohisa Nakadai

Born: Tokyo, Japan

Citizenship: Japanese

Birthday: December 13, 1932

Occupations: Actor

Years Active: 1952-present

Movies Featuring Tatsuya Nakadai

Ran

Ran

Samurai Rebellion

Samurai Rebellion

High and Low

High and Low

Yojimbo

Yojimbo

Kagemusha

Kagemusha

Harakiri

Harakiri

Japan’s Tragedy

Japan’s Tragedy

Until the Break of Dawn

Until the Break of Dawn

Isao Takahata and His Tale of The Princess Kaguya

Isao Takahata and His Tale of The Princess Kaguya

Haru’s Journey

Haru’s Journey

Zatoichi: The Last

Zatoichi: The Last

Giovanni’s Island

Giovanni’s Island

Lear on the Shore

Lear on the Shore

Vengeance for Sale

Vengeance for Sale

Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: ‘Yojimbo’

Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: ‘Yojimbo’

Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: ‘Sanjuro’

Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: ‘Sanjuro’

Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: ‘Kagemusha’

Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: ‘Kagemusha’

A Duel Tale

A Duel Tale

Kurosawa

Kurosawa

Dawn of a New Day: The Man Behind VHS

Dawn of a New Day: The Man Behind VHS

Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: ‘High and Low’

Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: ‘High and Low’

Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World

Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World

Like Asura

Like Asura

Yamato

Yamato

Murder of the Inugami Clan

Murder of the Inugami Clan

13 Assassins

13 Assassins

Onimasa: A Japanese Godfather

Onimasa: A Japanese Godfather

Final Yamato

Final Yamato

Fireflies in the North

Fireflies in the North

Heat Wave

Heat Wave

Willful Murder

Willful Murder

Tange Sazen and the Pot Worth a Million Ryo

Tange Sazen and the Pot Worth a Million Ryo

A. K.

A. K.

Hachiko

Hachiko

Return from the River Kwai

Return from the River Kwai

Four Days of Snow and Blood

Four Days of Snow and Blood

Battle Anthem

Battle Anthem

The Empty Table

The Empty Table

The Pass: Last Days of the Samurai

The Pass: Last Days of the Samurai

Safari 5000

Safari 5000

The Age of Assassins

The Age of Assassins

Immortal Love

Immortal Love

Blood Type: Blue

Blood Type: Blue

Hunter in the Dark

Hunter in the Dark

The Ambitious

The Ambitious

Portrait of Hell

Portrait of Hell

The Other Woman

The Other Woman

Sanjuro

Sanjuro

Queen Bee

Queen Bee

The Thick-Walled Room

The Thick-Walled Room

Fort Graveyard

Fort Graveyard

Inn of Evil

Inn of Evil

Japan’s Longest Day

Japan’s Longest Day

Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival

Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival

Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron

Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron

Basara: The Princess Goh

Basara: The Princess Goh

Blood End

Blood End

East Meets West

East Meets West

Belladonna of Sadness

Belladonna of Sadness

Goyokin

Goyokin

The Sword of Doom

The Sword of Doom

When a Woman Ascends the Stairs

When a Woman Ascends the Stairs

The Human Condition III: A Soldier’s Prayer

The Human Condition III: A Soldier’s Prayer

Jubaku: Spellbound

Jubaku: Spellbound

Conflagration

Conflagration

Cash Calls Hell

Cash Calls Hell

The Human Condition I: No Greater Love

The Human Condition I: No Greater Love

The Wolves

The Wolves

I Am a Cat

I Am a Cat

Tenchu!

Tenchu!

Battle Cry

Battle Cry

Legacy of the 500,000

Legacy of the 500,000

Get ’em All

Get ’em All

The Beast Shall Die

The Beast Shall Die

The Inheritance

The Inheritance

Kwaidan

Kwaidan

All About Marriage

All About Marriage

Love Under the Crucifix

Love Under the Crucifix

After the Rain

After the Rain

Lone Wolf and Cub: The Final Conflict

Lone Wolf and Cub: The Final Conflict

The Face of Another

The Face of Another

Today We Kill, Tomorrow We Die!

Today We Kill, Tomorrow We Die!

The Scandalous Adventures of Buraikan

The Scandalous Adventures of Buraikan

Black River

Black River

A Woman’s Life

A Woman’s Life

Admiral Yamamoto

Admiral Yamamoto

The Wicked City

The Wicked City

As the Clouds Scatter

As the Clouds Scatter

Battle of the Japan Sea

Battle of the Japan Sea

Daughters, Wives and a Mother

Daughters, Wives and a Mother

The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity

The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity

Through the Mist

Through the Mist

The Human Bullet

The Human Bullet

Illusion of Blood

Illusion of Blood

Career Timeline

Track the complete movie timeline of Tatsuya Nakadai, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.


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