Yūzō Kayama
Biography
Yūzō Kayama is a Japanese musician and film star. Born on April 11, 1937, in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan, he is the son of Ken Uehara, a film star during the 1930s. Kayama gained popularity in the 1960s through the Wakadaishō film series. He demonstrated his acting ability in Akira Kurosawa's 1965 film, Red Beard, starring Toshirō Mifune. As a guitarist, Kayama was influenced by The Ventures and performed psychedelic surf music in the 1960s. Known for his acting, Kayama has appeared in numerous films, with a total of 81 known credits.
Career overview
Yūzō Kayama is a Japanese actor born on April 11, 1937, in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. He became a big star in the 1960s in the Wakadaishō film series. Kayama's acting career was marked by his versatility, as he demonstrated his ability for drama in notable films.
One of Kayama's most significant roles was in Akira Kurosawa's 1965 film, Red Beard, starring Toshirō Mifune. He reported that the two years spent making this film were the most difficult, but also the proudest work of his life. This experience showcased Kayama's dedication to his craft and his ability to take on challenging roles.
Throughout his career, Kayama has been involved in numerous film projects, with a total of 81 known credits. His acting career has spanned multiple decades, with a notable presence in Japanese cinema during the 1960s. Kayama's body of work reflects his commitment to his craft and his ability to adapt to various roles and genres.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
81 titles- Mr. Moonlight: The Beatles Budokan Performance 1966 - A Dream We Had Together (2023)
- Chigasaki Story - My Little Hometown (2017)
- Rough (2006)
- Nagisa (2000)
- Messengers (1999) as Makoto Shimano
- Thunderbolt (1995) as Coach Mirakami
- As If In Flight (1990) as Shimazu Nariakira
- Zero (1984) as Manbei Shimokawa
- The Detective (1984) as Isao Muramatsu
- Return of the Champ (1981) as Yūichi Tannuma
- The Great Chase (1978)
- Mount Hakkoda (1977) as Captain Kurata
- なつかしき海の歌 (1975)
- ESPY (1974) as Hojo
- Red Target (1972) as Akira Hino
- The Battle of Okinawa (1971)
- Love Forsaken (1971)
- Young Guy, the Ace Rider (1971)
- Detective Story: A Brother's Rule (1971)
- Get Your Sky, Young Guy (1970)
- Duel at Fort Ezo (1970) as Saburota Edo
- The Militarists (1970) as Goro Arai
- Bravo, Young Guy (1970)
- The Creature Called Man (1970) as Noboru Toda
- Battle of the Japan Sea (1969) as Cmdr. Hirose
- Young Guy Graduates (1969)
- Young Guy on Mt. Cook (1969)
- Bullet Wound (1969)
- Futari no Koibito (1969)
- Good-bye Moscow (1968) as The Promoter
- Admiral Yamamoto (1968) as First Lieutenant Ijuin
- Young Guy in Rio (1968)
- Young Challengers (1968) as Oshiba Records singer
- Sun Above, Death Below (1968)
- My Brother, My Love (1968) as Teppei Kitagawa
- Two in the Shadow (1967) as Shiro Mishima
- Japan's Longest Day (1967) as Morio Tateno - NHK Broadcaster
- Let's Go! Young Guy (1967) as Yuuichi Tanuma
- Las Vegas Free-For-All (1967)
- Circuit-A-Go-Go (1967)
- Young Guy in the South Pacific (1967) as Yuichi Tanuma
- Zoku izuko e (1967)
- Come Marry Me (1966) as Tamotsu Suyama
- The Sword of Doom (1966) as Hyoma Utsuki
- Night in Bangkok (1966)
- It Started In The Alps (1966) as Yuichi Tanuma
- Forever With You (1966) as Yuzo Kayama
- Zero Fighter (1966)
- Izuko e (1966)
- Red Beard (1965) as Dr. Noboru Yasumoto
- Campus A Go-Go (1965) as Yuichi Tanuma
- We Will Remember (1965) as Lieutenant Konuma
- Sanshiro Sugata (1965) as Sanshiro Sugata
- Young Guy at Sea (1965) as 田沼真一（若大将）
- Yearning (1964) as Koji Morita
- Fright Time (1964)
- Attack Squadron (1963) as Captain Shiro Taki
- Siege of Fort Bismarck (1963)
- Young Guy in Hawaii (1963) as 若大将
- Honolulu, Tokyo, Hong Kong (1963) as Jiro Okamoto
- Warring Clans (1963) as Ochi Kittan "Batta"
- The Sun is Calling You (1963)
- Sanjuro (1962) as Iori Izaka
- Mount Hakone (1962)
- Chûshingura (1962) as Lord Naganori Asano
- Operation Sewer Rats (1962) as Hayashi
- College Champ (1962) as Yuichi Tanuma
- Pride of the Campus (1962) as Yuichi Tanuma (Wakadaisho)
- Born in Sin (1962)
- The Crimson Sky (1962)
- Blood on the Sea (1961)
- Sir Galahad in Campus (1961) as Yuichi Tanuma (Wakadaisho)
- Big Shots Die at Dawn (1961) as Jiro
- Happiness of Us Alone (1961) as Akira
- Blueprint of Murder (1961) as Jirô Kusaka
- Lovers of Ginza (1961)
- The Man from the East (1961) as Kenta Hasebe
- Different Sons (1961) as Shoji Akagi
- Westward Desperado (1960)
- Man Against Man (1960) as Toshio Masue
- 愛のホットライン
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Yūzō Kayama best known for?
Yūzō Kayama is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Nagisa (2000), Thunderbolt (1995), The Battle of Okinawa (1971), Battle of the Japan Sea (1969).
When and where was Yūzō Kayama born?
Yūzō Kayama was born on April 11, 1937 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
How many credits does Yūzō Kayama have?
Yūzō Kayama has accumulated over 81 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1960 to 2023.
What is Yūzō Kayama's background in cinema and television?
Yūzō Kayama is a Japanese musician and film star. Born on April 11, 1937, in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan, he is the son of Ken Uehara, a film star during the 1930s. Kayama gained popularity in the 1960s through the Wakadaishō film series. He demonstrated his acting ability in Akira Kurosawa's 1965 film, Red Beard, starri...
Yūzō Kayama by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Admiral Yamamoto (1968) as First Lieutenant Ijuin — aged about 31
- Red Beard (1965) as Dr. Noboru Yasumoto — aged about 28
- Yearning (1964) as Koji Morita — aged about 27
- Sanjuro (1962) as Iori Izaka — aged about 25
- The Battle of Okinawa (1971) — aged about 34
- The Sword of Doom (1966) as Hyoma Utsuki — aged about 29
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