Sumiko Sakamoto
Biography
Sumiko Sakamoto was an actress and singer born in Osaka, Japan on November 25, 1936. She died on January 23, 2021 at the age of 84. Known for her work in acting with thirty-one known credits, her filmography includes titles such as Balada o Narajamě, Úvod do antropologie, and Harukana jidai no kaidan o. She was a favorite of film director Shohei Imamura, who cast her in three of his films, including The Ballad of Narayama. Her performance in The Ballad of Narayama contributed to her receiving the Japanese Best Actress Award from Nihon Academy, and she also earned a kiss from Orson Welles for her portrayal of an elderly mother in the film, which won the Palme d Or at the 1983 Cannes Film Festival.
Career overview
Sumiko Sakamoto was a singer and award-winning actress known for her work in film. Born in Osaka, Japan, on November 25, 1936, her heartfelt performances made her a favorite of the late film director Shohei Imamura, who cast her in three of his films. Among these was The Ballad of Narayama, which won the Palme d'Or at the 1983 Cannes Film Festival. In the film, her portrayal of an elderly mother earned her the Japanese Best Actress Award from Nihon Academy, as well as a kiss from Orson Welles. Her known film credits include The Ballad of Narayama, alongside other works such as Introduction to Anthropology and Harukana jidai no kaidan o. Throughout her career, she established a recognized filmography with known credits totaling thirty-one. Sakamoto passed away on January 23, 2021, at the age of eighty-four.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
31 titles- The Buried Forest (2005) as Tomie
- Warm Water Under a Red Bridge (2001) as Masako Yamada
- My Father's Dragon (1997) as Lioness (voice)
- Salaryman Senka: Tanshin Funin (1996)
- The Stairway to the Distant Past (1995) as Minato Mary
- Wind of the Ryūkyū Islands (1993)
- The Great White Tower (1990) as Yoshie Sasaki
- Be Free! (1986) as Mutsuko's mother
- The Ballad of Narayama (1983) as Orin
- Precious Moments (1981)
- Watashi wa umi (1978) as 石沢松子
- Onna Bengoshi Asabuki Riyako (1978)
- Sometimes... Like a Prostitute (1978) as Woman in Reception
- The Shogun and His Mistresses (1967) as Tami
- The Silent Gun (1967) as Tamako Tamamura
- Quick-Draw Dog (1967)
- Young Boss: Leader's Flesh (1967)
- The Pornographers (1966) as Haru Matsuda
- Silence Has No Wings (1966)
- Stray Dog (1966)
- Fearless Comrades (1966)
- Return of Gun Dog (1966)
- Rampaging Dog (1965)
- Trigger Happy Romeo (1965) as Tsuruko
- The Call of Flesh (1964)
- Escape from Japan (1964) as Mitsuko
- Homeless Dog (1964)
- Clamouring Canines (1964) as Machiko
- Legends of Honor (1963)
- Tenamonya Sandogasa (1963)
- Travel with Ghost (1961) as Osumi
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Sumiko Sakamoto best known for?
Sumiko Sakamoto is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Warm Water Under a Red Bridge (2001), The Ballad of Narayama (1983), Watashi wa umi (1978), Sometimes... Like a Prostitute (1978).
When and where was Sumiko Sakamoto born?
Sumiko Sakamoto was born on November 25, 1936 in Osaka, Japan. They passed away on January 23, 2021.
How many credits does Sumiko Sakamoto have?
Sumiko Sakamoto has accumulated over 31 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1961 to 2005.
What is Sumiko Sakamoto's background in cinema and television?
Sumiko Sakamoto was an actress and singer born in Osaka, Japan on November 25, 1936. She died on January 23, 2021 at the age of 84. Known for her work in acting with thirty-one known credits, her filmography includes titles such as Balada o Narajamě, Úvod do antropologie, and Harukana jidai no kaidan o. She was a favor...
Sumiko Sakamoto by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Ballad of Narayama (1983) as Orin — aged about 46
- The Pornographers (1966) as Haru Matsuda — aged about 29
- Warm Water Under a Red Bridge (2001) as Masako Yamada — aged about 64
- Sometimes... Like a Prostitute (1978) as Woman in Reception — aged about 41
- Watashi wa umi (1978) as 石沢松子 — aged about 41
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