Takeshi Kitano
Actor
Biography
Takeshi Kitano (北野 武, Kitano Takeshi, born January 18, 1947), also known in Japan as Beat Takeshi (ビートたけし, Bīto Takeshi), is a Japanese comedian, actor, and filmmaker. While he is known primarily as a comedian and TV host in his native Japan, he is better known abroad for his work as a filmmaker and actor as well as TV host.
Kitano rose to prominence in the 1970s as one half of the comedy duo Two Beat, before going solo and becoming one of the three biggest comedians in the country. After several small acting roles, he made his directorial debut with 1989's Violent Cop and garnered international acclaim for Sonatine (1993). He was not widely accepted as an accomplished director in Japan until Hana-bi won the Golden Lion in 1997. In October 2017, Kitano completed his Outrage crime trilogy with the release of Outrage Coda. He is also known internationally for hosting the game show Takeshi's Castle (1986–1990) and starring in the film Battle Royale (2000).
Filmography
Ghost in the Shell
as Aramaki 2017
Battle Royale
as Kitano 2000
Johnny Mnemonic
as Takahashi 1995
Zatoichi
as Zatoichi / Ichi 2003
Fireworks
as Yoshitaka Nishi 1997
Sonatine
as Aniki Murakawa 1993
Kikujiro
as Kikujiro 1999
Battle Royale II: Requiem
as Kitano 2003
Brother
as Aniki Yamamoto 2000
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence
as Hara 1983
Outrage
as Otomo 2010
Violent Cop
as Azuma Ryosuke 1989
Beyond Outrage
as Otomo 2012
Boiling Point
as Uehara 1990
Outrage Coda
as Otomo 2017
To Each His Own Cinema
as The projectionist (segment "Rencontre unique") 2007
Taboo
as Toshizo Hijikata 1999