Minoru Chiaki
Biography
Minoru Chiaki was a Japanese actor born in Hokkaido, Japan, on April 28, 1917, though some sources note his birth date as June 30, 1917. He died on November 1, 1999, at the age of 82. Known for his work in film, Chiaki appeared in 138 known credits throughout his career. Among his notable film appearances are Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, where he played the good-natured samurai Heihachi, as well as The Hidden Fortress, High and Low, and The Human Condition III. Later in his career, he appeared as a secondary actor in many Toei films. In 1986, he received the Best Actor prize at the Japan Academy Prize ceremony for his performance in the Toei film Gray Sunset.
Career overview
Minoru Chiaki was a Japanese actor born on April 28, 1917, in Hokkaido, Japan. His career included 138 known credits in the film industry. He gained recognition for his acting work in notable films directed by Akira Kurosawa, including Seven Samurai and The Hidden Fortress. In Seven Samurai, he portrayed the good-natured samurai named Heihachi. His extensive filmography also featured appearances in other productions such as Nebe a peklo and Lidský úděl 3.: Hrozba války.
Later in his career, Chiaki worked as a secondary actor in numerous Toei films. His performance in Toei's 1985 film Gray Sunset earned him the Best Actor prize at the Japan Academy Prize ceremony in 1986.
Minoru Chiaki passed away on November 1, 1999, at the age of 82.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
133 titles- Don Matsugoro's Big Adventure (1987) as Amenomori Seikai
- Gray Sunset (1985) as Fuyukichi Takano
- Tokugawa Ichizoku no Houkai (1980)
- Kyojin-gun monogatari: Susume eikô e (1977)
- Karafuto 1945 Summer (1974)
- Innocent Sinner (1970)
- Japan's No. 1 Disconnected Man (1969) as Shimizu
- Inu to Asachan (1969)
- Libido (1967)
- Song of Love (1967) as The Ship-master
- The Face of Another (1966) as Apartment Superintendent
- Koto—The Lake of Tears (1966) as Kitao Momose
- Yakuza Vassal (1966)
- Zero Fighter (1966)
- Cold Rice, Osan, Chan (1965)
- Taking the Castle (1965)
- Black Thief (1964)
- The Sharks (1964)
- Kono sora no aru kagiri (1964)
- High and Low (1963) as First Reporter
- Travels of Hibari and Chiemi 2 (1963)
- A House in the Quarter (1963) as Jinzo Takesue
- Sasuke and His Comedians (1963) as Yukimura Sanada
- Five Ronins (1963)
- Uogashi no senpū musume (1963)
- Street of Wandering Men (1963)
- Jolly Barbers (1963) as Ebina Ginpei
- Cases of Umon: The Woman with an Umbrella (1963) as Kakurai Yosuke
- 20 Duels of Young Shingo: Conclusion (1963)
- Drunken Sword (1962)
- Tokyo's Business District (1962)
- Lion Festival of Echigo (1962)
- The Princess and the Bearded Lord (1962)
- The Christian Revolt (1962)
- Love Under the Crucifix (1962)
- The Body (1962)
- The Inheritance (1962) as Junichi Fujii
- The Paper Crane (1962)
- A Carpenter and Children (1962)
- The Phantom Goblin (1962)
- The Ambitious Youth (1962)
- Jirocho' s Days of Youth: Whirlwind on the Tokaido (1962)
- Till Tomorrow Is (1962)
- Travels of Hibari and Chiemi: The Tumultuous Journey (1962)
- Case of a Young Lord 9: Black Camellia (1961)
- Futaridake no taiyō (1961)
- Run, Genta, Run! (1961)
- 20 Duels of Young Shingo, Part 1 (1961)
- 20 Duels of Young Shingo, Part 2 (1961)
- The Youth and His Amulet (1961)
- Young Lord Yakuza (1961)
- Young Lord and Second Son (1961)
- Official with a Tattoo (1960)
- What Price Love? (1960) as Matashiro
- Hero of the Red Light District (1960) as Jôsuke
- If You're Man Enough (1960)
- Samurai Vagabonds (1960)
- Lord Mito: All Star Version (1960)
- Shinran, Part II (1960)
- Scarier than the Devil (1960)
- Mighty Shosuke (1960)
- Yakuza of Ina (1960) as Kichitaro
- Case of a Young Lord 8 (1960)
- Shinran (1960)
- Won't Stand for Dying (1960) as Brother Ryota
- The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity (1959) as Onodera Heichô
- Saga of the Vagabonds (1959) as Jibu
- Goblin in Stirrups (1959)
- Our Mother (1959)
- Unmarried (1959)
- Gigantis, the Fire Monster (1959) as Kobayashi (as Mindru Chiaki)
- Pilgrimage at Night (1959)
- Chikamatsu's Love in Osaka (1959)
- The Unleashed Lord (1959)
- The Hidden Fortress (1958) as Tahei
- The Bride In Uguisu Castle (1958)
- Little Peach (1958) as Saburo Yoshida
- Flower's Yearning (1958) as Yanami Fukuzo
- The Scroll’s Secret (1958)
- Fearless Opposition (1958)
- The Scarlet Cherry Lord (1958)
- Eight Views of Samurai (1958)
- A Bridge for Two Alone (1958)
- Throne of Blood (1957) as Yoshiaki Miki
- Turtledove (1957)
- Ujō (1957) as Kenkichi Tanabe
- The Men of Toho-ku (1957) as Tasuke Zummu
- The Lower Depths (1957) as Former Samurai
- The 36 Passengers (1957)
- Talkative Company President (1957) as Omaeda (President)
- The Shadow Daughter (1957)
- Skin-Colored Moon (1957) as Umekichi ishikura
- Scoundrel (1956)
- Gendai no yokubô (1956)
- All Sold Out (1956)
- The Hoodlum and the Young Master (1956)
- Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island (1956) as Sasuke the boatman
- The Vampire Moth (1956) as Sango Kawase
- A Wife's Heart (1956) as Zenichi
- The Mandarin Room (1956)
- A Strong Wind Blows (1956) as Zentarō (Takako’s brother)
- Godzilla Raids Again (1955) as Kôji Kobayashi
- I Live in Fear (1955) as Jiro Nakajima
- The Immortal Pitcher (1955)
- A Girl Who Delivers Happiness (1955)
- Bodyguard from Hell (1955)
- Tactics of Love (1955)
- Seven Samurai (1954) as Heihachi Hayashida
- Jirocho in Disgrace (1954)
- 乾杯！女学生 (1954)
- The Story of Shunkin (1954)
- Mother's First Love (1954)
- Hatsu sugata ushimatsu gōshi (1954)
- Sunflower Girl (1953)
- Mole Alley (1953)
- Ikiru (1952) as Noguchi
- Beauty and the Thief (1952) as Takeichi no Takamaru
- Vendetta of a Samurai (1952)
- Mōjū Tsukai no Shōjo (1952)
- Today is Payday (1952) as General Manager of General Affairs Department
- Riverside Fish Market Empire (1952)
- Wakôdo no uta (1951) as Hayashi
- Saijoke no kyoen (1951)
- The Idiot (1951) as Mutsuo Kayama, the secretary
- Cordon at Midnight (1951)
- Sekidô matsuri (1951)
- Rashomon (1950) as Priest
- Scandal (1950)
- The Rainbow-Colored Flower (1950)
- Beyond the Hills (1950)
- Golden Beast (1950) as Eiji Yabuki
- The Emperor's Hat (1950)
- Stray Dog (1949) as Girlie Show director
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Minoru Chiaki best known for?
Minoru Chiaki is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Gray Sunset (1985), The Face of Another (1966), High and Low (1963), A House in the Quarter (1963).
When and where was Minoru Chiaki born?
Minoru Chiaki was born on April 28, 1917 in Hokkaido, Japan. They passed away on November 1, 1999.
How many credits does Minoru Chiaki have?
Minoru Chiaki has accumulated over 133 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1949 to 1987.
What is Minoru Chiaki's background in cinema and television?
Minoru Chiaki was a Japanese actor born in Hokkaido, Japan, on April 28, 1917, though some sources note his birth date as June 30, 1917. He died on November 1, 1999, at the age of 82. Known for his work in film, Chiaki appeared in 138 known credits throughout his career. Among his notable film appearances are Akira Kur...
Minoru Chiaki by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- High and Low (1963) as First Reporter — aged about 46
- Seven Samurai (1954) as Heihachi Hayashida — aged about 37
- Ikiru (1952) as Noguchi — aged about 35
- The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity (1959) as Onodera Heichô — aged about 42
- The Hidden Fortress (1958) as Tahei — aged about 41
- Rashomon (1950) as Priest — aged about 33
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