Gen Shimizu
Biography
Gen Shimizu was a male actor born in Tokyo, Japan, on January 1, 1907. Known by the stage name清水元, he had 162 known credits and was recognized for his work in films such as Seven Samurai, High and Low, and Yojimbo. His personal life included being the father of Mari Shimizu, who was born on June 7, 1936, to him and a Mitsukoshi seamstress. During World War II, his family lived in poverty. Gen Shimizu passed away on December 20, 1972, at the age of 65.
Career overview
Gen Shimizu was a male actor born in Tokyo, Japan on January 1, 1907. Known by the stage name清水元, he established a substantial career in the film and television industries, accumulating 162 known credits during his working life. Among his notable film works, he became famous for his appearances in the movies Seven Samurai, High and Low, which is also referenced by the title Nebe a peklo, and Yojimbo.
In addition to his extensive professional filmography, personal records note that he was the father of Mari Shimizu, who was born on June 7, 1936, in Motobuto, an area located in Urawa-ku, Saitama. During the period of World War II, his family experienced life in poverty.
Gen Shimizu passed away on December 20, 1972, at the age of 65. Throughout his life and career, he contributed broadly to Japanese media as an actor, leaving behind a legacy documented across numerous cinematic and television productions.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
139 titles- Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972) as Commander of Defense Forces
- Wandering Ginza Butterfly (1972)
- The Trail of Blood (1972)
- The Armed Organization (1971)
- The Gambling Nun (1971)
- Comedy: The Face is Life (1971)
- I Hear the Whistle (1971) as Ichioka
- Contemporary Tales of Chivalry: Forbidden Love (1971)
- The Gambler's Counterattack (1971) as Terasaki
- The Militarists (1970) as Yoshizawa
- Brave Red Flower of the North (1970)
- Japan's No. 1 Yakuza Man (1970)
- City of Beasts (1970)
- The Biggest Gamble (1969)
- Battle of the Japan Sea (1969) as Narikawa
- Japan Organized Crime Boss (1969) as Torakichi Hamanaka
- Team of Ruffians (1969) as Division Commander Sakai
- Showdown at Nagasaki (1969)
- Our Wasteland (1969)
- Monstrous! Who Am I?! (1969)
- Ashita Koso (1968) as 岡村
- Two in the Shadow (1967)
- Industrial Spy Free-for-All (1967)
- Five Gents Prefer Geisha (1967)
- Ultra Q (1966) as Hasegawa Proving Ground Director
- Thirst for Love (1966) as Yasuda
- Moment of Terror (1966)
- Rise Against the Sword (1966) as Kesho Yada
- Cat Girls Gamblers: Abandoned Fangs of Triumph (1966) as Ryuji Maisaka
- 3 Raccoon Dogs (1966) as Construction Company President
- Nerves for Victory (1966)
- Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965) as Minister of Defense
- Beast Alley (1965)
- Miyamoto Musashi V: Musashi vs Kojiro (1965)
- Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu (1965)
- The Crazy Adventure (1965)
- Stairs of Evil (1965) as President
- Yearning (1964)
- Assassination (1964) as Jûjirô Ishii
- Brand of Evil (1964)
- The Sandal Keeper (1964)
- High and Low (1963) as Chief Physician
- A Woman's Life (1963)
- Young Guy in Hawaii (1963) as 上松
- Police Precinct Part 21 (1963)
- Sanjuro (1962)
- Chûshingura (1962)
- Irresponsible Age of Japan (1962)
- Youth Season (1962)
- Teppo Yasu no Shogai (1962)
- Third Generation's Loyalty Offering (1962)
- Jūyaku kōho-sei nanbā 1 (1962)
- Local Reporter (1962)
- Ame no Kudan-zaka (1962)
- Yojimbo (1961) as Magotaro
- A Man in Red (1961)
- Buddha (1961) as Kisaka
- The Gambler's Code (1961)
- Straw hat of Itako (1961)
- The Bride of Headless Island (1961)
- Vagabonds from Badgerville (1961)
- Otemoyan (1961)
- The Two Musashis (1960)
- Life of a Country Doctor (1960)
- The Bad Sleep Well (1960) as Managing Director Miura
- Samurai Save The Virgin (1960)
- Scars of Honor (1960)
- The Sun's Burial (1960) as Boss of the Ohama Clan
- The Demon of Mount Oe (1960)
- Satan's Sword II: The Dragon God (1960)
- Jirocho Fuji 2: The Chivalrous (1960)
- お嬢さん三度笠 (1960)
- Lord Tadanao (1960)
- Mission Accomplished (1960)
- Yûrei koban (1960)
- Tsukinode no ketto (1960)
- Echigo jishi-sai (1960)
- Gambler and the Princess (1959)
- The Lord Pretends (1959) as Nadahachi Ôkawagishi
- Jirocho Fuji (1959)
- Samurai Vendetta (1959)
- Peony on the Skin (1959)
- Lord Nobunaga's Early Days (1959)
- Yutaro's Secret Story (1959)
- The Enchanting Devil (1959)
- The Princess Says No (1959)
- Ojo-kichiza (1959)
- Sudden Attack of the Christian Lord (1959)
- The Gay Masquerade (1958)
- Hanatarō Jumon (1958)
- Inochi wo Kakeru Otoko (1958)
- Hana no yukyo-den (1958)
- Tomboy Samurai (1958)
- Bakeneko Goyōda (1958)
- Throne of Blood (1957) as Washizu samurai
- The Mysterians (1957)
- Freelance Samurai (1957)
- Street of Ronin (1957)
- Yagyu Secret Scrolls (1957)
- Yataro’s Travel Hat (1957)
- Kodokan Under a Morning Moon (1957)
- Ôban (1957)
- Inazuma Kaidō (1957)
- Akado Suzunosuke and the Vacuum Slash of the Asuka School (1957)
- Mangorō Tengu (1957)
- The Life of a Uniquely Interesting Man: Katsura Harudanji (1956)
- The Storm (1956)
- The Eyes of the Jaguar (1956) as Leopard
- Eyes of the Jaguar: Blue Dragon's Cave (1956) as Leopard
- I Live in Fear (1955)
- No Time for Tears (1955)
- A Man Among Men (1955) as Tamiya
- Seven Samurai (1954) as Samurai Who Kicks Farmers
- The Black Current (1954)
- Birth of a Jazz Star (1954)
- One Night of Love (1954) as Iketsu, the guest
- The Street Without Sun (1954) as Extraordinary detective
- Wakai hito-tachi (1954)
- Ghost Man (1954) as Inspector Todoroki
- Turbid Youth (1954)
- Yakuza bayashi (1954)
- My Six Favorite Men — Speedy Men (1954)
- Her Captive Gamblers (1953)
- Jirocho's Home-Coming (1953)
- Gate of Hell (1953) as Saburōsuke
- City of Violence (1953)
- Tower of Lilies (1953)
- Sado Island Elegy (1952)
- The Stand in Hakone (1952)
- Riverside Fish Market Empire (1952)
- Beyond Love and Hate (1951)
- The White Orchid (1951)
- Tokyo File 212 (1951)
- Miki, the Swordman (1951)
- The Man Without a Nationality (1951) as Military police officer
- Town of Violence (1950) as Suzuka
- Sanshiro of Ginza (1950) as Goro Kawamoto
- Senka o koete (1950)
- Stray Dog (1949) as Police Inspector Nakajima
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Gen Shimizu best known for?
Gen Shimizu is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972), Wandering Ginza Butterfly (1972), Battle of the Japan Sea (1969), Ultra Q (1966).
When and where was Gen Shimizu born?
Gen Shimizu was born on January 1, 1907 in Tokyo, Japan. They passed away on December 20, 1972.
How many credits does Gen Shimizu have?
Gen Shimizu has accumulated over 139 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1949 to 1972.
What is Gen Shimizu's background in cinema and television?
Gen Shimizu was a male actor born in Tokyo, Japan, on January 1, 1907. Known by the stage name清水元, he had 162 known credits and was recognized for his work in films such as Seven Samurai, High and Low, and Yojimbo. His personal life included being the father of Mari Shimizu, who was born on June 7, 1936, to him and a M...
Gen Shimizu by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Black Current (1954) — aged about 47
- High and Low (1963) as Chief Physician — aged about 56
- Seven Samurai (1954) as Samurai Who Kicks Farmers — aged about 47
- Ultra Q (1966) as Hasegawa Proving Ground Director — aged about 59
- Yearning (1964) — aged about 57
- Yojimbo (1961) as Magotaro — aged about 54
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