Takeshi Kitano
Directing
Born: 1947-01-18 in Tokyo, Japan
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).
Known For
Ghost in the Shell
Aramaki
Battle Royale
Kitano
Johnny Mnemonic
Takahashi
Zatoichi
Zatoichi / Ichi
Fireworks
Yoshitaka Nishi
Sonatine
Aniki Murakawa
Kikujiro
Kikujiro
Battle Royale II: Requiem
Kitano
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence
Hara
Brother
Aniki Yamamoto
Outrage
Otomo
Violent Cop
Azuma Ryosuke
Beyond Outrage
Otomo
Boiling Point
Uehara
Outrage Coda
Otomo
To Each His Own Cinema
The projectionist (segment "Rencontre unique")
Taboo
Toshizo Hijikata
Achilles and the Tortoise
Machisu
Izo
Chancellor
Broken Rage
Nezumi
Takeshis'
Beat Takeshi / Mr. Kitano
Getting Any?
Scientist
Go, Go Second Time Virgin
Gang Member
Ryuzo and the Seven Henchmen
Detective Murakami
Gonin
Ichiro Kyoya
Glory to the Filmmaker!
Takeshi / Yakuza / Father / Ninja / Detective / Astronomer
Blood and Bones
Joon-pyong Kim
Takeshi's Castle
Kubi
Hashiba Hideyoshi
MXC
Trespassing Bergman
Self
Tokyo Eyes
Yakusa
Takeshi's Castle Japan
Arakimentari
Self
Why Are We Creative?
Self
Morning
The Monster X Strikes Back: Attack the G8 Summit
Take-Majin (voice)
While the Women Are Sleeping
Sahara
Dearest
Teruo Sugino
Mozu The Movie
Daruma