Takeshi Kitano

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).

Most Known For

Golden Horse Awards

as Self

Ghost in the Shell

as Aramaki

Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story

as 古今亭志生

Gonin

as Ichiro Kyoya

Battle Royale

as Kitano

Arakimentari

as Self

Takeshi's Castle

MXC

Doctor X: Gekai Daimon Michiko Special

Musashi

as Munisai Shinmen

Citizen Kitano

as Self

Johnny Mnemonic

as Takahashi

Zatoichi

as Zatoichi / Ichi

Izo

as Chancellor

Brother

as Aniki Yamamoto

Kikujiro

as Kikujiro

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

as Hara

Plankton Salesmen

as Self (archive footage)

The Story of One Century

Sonatine

as Aniki Murakawa