- Born
- Died
- Place
Utaemon Ichikawa
Utaemon Ichikawa was a Japanese film actor famous for starring roles in Jidaigeki from the 1920s to the 1960s. Trained in kabuki from childhood, he made his film debut in 1925 at Makino Film Productions under Shōzō Makino. Quickly gaining popularity, he followed the example of Makino stars such as Tsumasaburō Bandō in starting his own independent production company, Utaemon Ichikawa Productions, in 1927. It was there he first began the "Idle Vassal" (Hatamoto taikutsu otoko) series, which would become his signature role. When his company folded in 1936 as sound film came to the fore, he moved to Shinkō Kinema and then Daiei Studios before helping form the Toei Company after World War II. He served on the board of directors along with fellow samurai star Chiezō Kataoka. Utaemon appeared in over 300 films during his career. His son, Kin'ya Kitaōji, is also a famous actor in film and television.
As actor
The Lord's spy
The Mysterious Cape
A Prisoner in Search of Daughter
Tokaido Fullhouse
Street of Wandering Men
Bloody Record of the Shinsengumi
Bored Hatamoto: The Mysterious Coral Mansion
Kisaragi Sword
Otoko dokyō no ayame kasa
Showdown at Lightning Pass
Drunken Sword
Knightly Advice
Samurai Hawk
The Man Who Challenged 8,000,000-Koku
Samurai Knights
The Ako Retainers
Travels of Gonkuro
The Cave of the Vampire Bats
Lord of Steel Heart
Ooka Seidan: Devil Image
The Samurai Markets
Queen of the Treasure Island
Runway to Hell
Ninja Assassins
Bored Hatamoto: Island of No Return
Road of Chivalry
Lord Mito: All Star Version
Lord of Red Banner
The Swordsman In The Golden Valley
The 47 Masterless Samurai