Jūzō Itami
Biography
Jūzō Itami, who lived from 1933 to 1997, was a Japanese actor, screenwriter, and film director. After a successful twenty-year career as an actor in films such as the American vehicle 55 Days at Peking in 1963, he ventured into directing. He became a popular modern screenwriter and film director, with many critics coming to regard him as Japan's greatest director since Akira Kurosawa. He wrote all of his ten feature-length movies and one short film, which are comic satires on elements of Japanese culture. He died under suspicious circumstances in December 1997 and may have been murdered by the yakuza.
Career overview
Jūzō Itami was a Japanese actor, screenwriter, and film director who was regarded by many critics as Japan's greatest director since Akira Kurosawa. Before venturing into directing, Itami had a successful twenty-year career as an actor in films such as the American vehicle 55 Days at Peking in 1963.
As a director, Itami created ten feature-length movies and one short film, all of which he wrote himself. His works were comic satires on elements of Japanese culture. His filmography spanned both acting and directing roles, cementing his status as a popular modern screenwriter and film director in Japanese cinema.
Itami lived from 1933 to 1997. He died under suspicious circumstances in December 1997 and may have been murdered by the yakuza.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
86 titles- Kodawari Otoko to Marusa no Onna (2012) as Self (archive footage)
- Itami-ryū super na supermarket ga dekiru made (2012) as Self
- "Utsukishiki Shizuka na Seikatsu" + satsuei genba hōmonki (2012) as Self
- 'Marutai no Onna' satsuei wo oete (2012) as Self
- Itami Juzo Museum's "13" (2011) as Self (archive footage)
- Itami Jūzō Kinenkan ga dekiru made (2007) as Self
- Juzo Itami: The Man with 13 Faces (2007) as Self (archive footage)
- 北の国から 記憶 前編 (2003)
- Woman in Witness Protection (1997) Director
- Woman in Witness Protection (1997) Screenplay
- Supermarket Woman (1996) Director
- Supermarket Woman (1996) Screenplay
- A Quiet Life (1995) Director
- A Quiet Life (1995) Screenplay
- The Last Dance (1993) Director
- The Last Dance (1993) Screenplay
- Making of Daibyonin (1993) as Self
- Minbo, or The Gentle Art of Japanese Extortion (1992) Director
- Minbo, or The Gentle Art of Japanese Extortion (1992) Writer
- The Making of "Minbo: the Gentle Art of Japanese Extortion" (1992) as Self
- Convenience Jack (1992)
- Shirayuri Girls' Academy Western Archery Club: A Silver Target (1991)
- Tales of a Golden Geisha (1990) Director
- Tales of a Golden Geisha (1990) Writer
- Tales of a Golden Geisha (1990) Producer
- The Making of "Tales of a Golden Geisha" (1990) as Self
- Sweet Home (1989) as Kenichi Yamamura
- Sweet Home (1989) Executive Producer
- Great SFX Adventure: Take Me to 'Sweet Home' (1989) as Self
- A Taxing Woman's Return (1988) Director
- A Taxing Woman's Return (1988) Screenplay
- The Making of "A Taxing Woman's Return" (1988) as Self
- A Taxing Woman (1987) Director
- A Taxing Woman (1987) Writer
- The Making of "A Taxing Woman" (1987) as Self
- The Making of "Tampopo" (1986) as Self
- Tampopo (1985) Screenplay
- Tampopo (1985) Director
- Tampopo (1985) Producer
- Bumpkin Soup (1985) as Professor Hirayama
- The Funeral (1984) Director
- The Funeral (1984) Screenplay
- MacArthur's Children (1984) as Hatano
- Make-Up (1984) as Kumakura
- The Makioka Sisters (1983) as Tatsuo
- The Family Game (1983) as Mr. Numata
- Choji Snack Bar (1983) as Kawara
- The Politicians (1983) as Itakura
- Toge no Gunzo (1982)
- Kidnapping Blues (1982) as Walking Man
- Onna no naka no akuma (1982)
- Play it, Boogie-Woogie (1981) as Lawyer
- Island of the Evil Spirits (1981) as Ryuhei Ochi
- Baian the Assassin (1981) as Sahei Oumiya
- Until Evening (1980) as Sasa
- Private Collections (1979) as (segment "Kusa-Meikyu")
- The Biggest Post-war Kidnapping: The Yoshinobu case (1979) as Narration
- Grass Labyrinth (1979) as Principal / Priest / Old man
- No More Easy Life (1979) as Takamizawa
- I Am a Cat (1975) as Meitei
- Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance (1974) as Ransui Tokunaga
- My Way (1974) as Dr. Takagi
- The Gentle Japanese (1971)
- Sweet Secret (1971)
- A Young Man's Stronghold (1970)
- Heat Wave Island (1969) as Iino
- Safari 5000 (1969)
- Team of Ruffians (1969)
- The Notorious Concubines (1968) as Ximen Qing
- The Young Eagles of the Kamikaze (1968)
- Human Torpedoes (1968)
- Even If Life Withers (1968) as Shinji Sakaguchi
- Sing a Song of Sex (1967) as Ôtake
- Parole (1967) as Kenji Kijima
- By a Man's Face Shall You Know Him (1966) as Shunji Amemiya
- Lord Jim (1965) as Waris
- The Flame of Devotion (1964) as Takuji Yoshii
- 55 Days at Peking (1963) as Col. Shiba
- Rubber Band Pistol (1962)
- Rubber Band Pistol (1962) Director
- Rubber Band Pistol (1962) Screenplay
- Ten Dark Women (1961) as Hanamaki
- The Big Wave (1961) as Toru
- Her Brother (1960) as Son of Factory Owner
- The False Student (1960) as Sozo
- Kirai Kirai Kirai (1960)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Jūzō Itami best known for?
Jūzō Itami is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Fury (2014), The Sea Beyond (2020), The Sea Beyond (2020), Tampopo (1985).
When and where was Jūzō Itami born?
Jūzō Itami was born on May 15, 1933 in Kyoto, Japan. They passed away on December 20, 1997.
How many credits does Jūzō Itami have?
Jūzō Itami has accumulated over 86 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1960 to 2012.
What is Jūzō Itami's background in cinema and television?
Jūzō Itami, who lived from 1933 to 1997, was a Japanese actor, screenwriter, and film director. After a successful twenty-year career as an actor in films such as the American vehicle 55 Days at Peking in 1963, he ventured into directing. He became a popular modern screenwriter and film director, with many critics comi...
Jūzō Itami by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Her Brother (1960) as Son of Factory Owner — aged about 27
- 55 Days at Peking (1963) as Col. Shiba — aged about 30
- Lord Jim (1965) as Waris — aged about 32
- Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance (1974) as Ransui Tokunaga — aged about 41
- Sing a Song of Sex (1967) as Ôtake — aged about 34
- Ten Dark Women (1961) as Hanamaki — aged about 28
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