Kyû Sakamoto was a Japanese actor known for his roles in “The Double,” “Charlie’s Angels,” and “Inherent Vice.” He gained fame for his hit song “Sukiyaki,” making him the first Japanese-language artist to top the US charts.
Personal and Family Life
Kyû Sakamoto was born on November 10, 1941, in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan. He married Yukiko Kashiwagi on December 8, 1971, and the couple had two children together. Sakamoto enjoyed a successful music and acting career that began in the late 1950s.
Career
Initially, Sakamoto was focused on his studies but soon switched to music after joining the band “Danny Iida and Paradise King.” His career took off after their hit song “Kanashiki rokujussai” in 1960, leading him to pursue a solo career. He later signed with Toshiba Records and gained significant fame in Japan and beyond.
Death and Legacy
Tragically, Kyû Sakamoto died in a plane crash on August 12, 1985, near Tokyo, which killed 520 people. His passing marked one of the deadliest aviation disasters in history and had a lasting impact on the music community. His widow, Yukiko, has continued to make occasional film appearances in his memory.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| 坊っちゃん | 1966-08-13 | Botchan |
| 吶喊 | 1975-03-14 | |
| 幸せなら手をたたこう | 1964-12-19 | |
| 上を向いて歩こう | 1962-03-04 | Kyô Kawanishi |
| アワモリ君西へ行く | 1961-12-24 | |
| すべてが狂ってる | 1960-10-08 | |
| アワモリ君売出す | 1961-07-30 | |
| アワモリ君乾杯！ | 1961-10-08 | |
| 九ちゃん刀を抜いて | 1963-08-31 | |
| ハイウェイの王様 | 1965-12-18 | |
| 君は恋人 | 1967-11-03 | Kyu-chan |
| 九ちゃんのでっかい夢 | 1967-01-02 | Kyûtaro |
| 女は抵抗する | 1960-03-08 | |
| ガリバーの宇宙旅行 | 1965-03-20 | Ted (voice) |
| 山のかなたに | 1960-02-02 | Kenzô Sugimoto |
| 喜劇 駅前団地 | 1961-08-13 | Kyusaku |
| 九ちゃん音頭 | 1962-07-01 | |
| 喜劇 駅前弁当 | 1961-12-24 | |
| ひとりぼっちの二人だが | 1962-11-03 | |
| パラキンと九ちゃん 申し訳ない野郎たち | 1962-12-30 | |
| 若い季節 | 1962-10-20 |