TOKYO (AP) – Japanese actor Sonny Chiba, who stunned the world with his martial arts skills in more than 100 films, including “Kill Bill,” has died. He was 82 years old.
Chiba, known in Japan as Shinichi Chiba, died Thursday afternoon at a hospital near Tokyo where he had been treated for COVID-19 since Aug. 8, Astraia, its management office, reported Friday. based in Tokyo. He was said not to have been vaccinated.
Chiba came to stardom in Japan in the 1960s, portraying samurai, fighters and police detectives, the distressed so-called “antiheroes” trying to survive in a violent world. He did many of the trick scenes himself.
His overseas career spread after his 1970s Japanese film “The Street Fighter” proved popular in the United States.
American director Quentin Tarantino included the play as a favorite of his “grindhouse” or low-budget kitsch cinema.
Tarantino turned Chiba into the role of Hattori Hanzo, a master swordsman in “Kill Bill.”
Chiba appeared in the 1991 Hollywood film “Aces”, directed by John Glen, as well as in Hong Kong films.
Chiba’s career also gained momentum from the global boom in kung fu movies, which began with Chinese legend Bruce Lee, although critics say Chiba tends to exhibit a dirtier and dirtier fighting style than Lee.
“A true legend of action. Your movies are eternal and your energy is an inspiration. #SonnyChiba #RIP, ”American actor Lewis Tan said on Twitter.
Ted Geoghegan, a New York writer and director, called him “the great Sonny Chiba.”
“Watch one of his movies today,” Geoghegan tweeted, followed by images of a fist and a broken heart.
Other fans sadly filled Twitter threads with clips from their movies and photos.
Born in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, Chiba studied at Nippon University of Sports Science, majoring in various martial arts, earning a fourth-grade black belt in karate.
Chiba founded the Japan Action Club in 1980 to develop a younger generation of actors, including the protégé Hiroyuki Sanada, who is among Hollywood’s most coveted Japanese actors, who landed roles in “The Last Samurai” and “Rush.” Hour 3 ”.
His three children, Juri Manase, Mackenyu Arata and Gordon Maeda, all actors, survive in Chiba. The office was canceled as a pandemic measure and funeral arrangements were still undecided.
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Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama