Takeshi Kitano
Biography
Takeshi Kitano is a Japanese comedian, actor, and filmmaker who began at the France-za strip theater in Asakusa, Tokyo, after studying engineering at Meiji University. In 1973 he formed the comedy duo Two Beat with Kiyoshi Kaneko, adopting the stage name Beat Takeshi, and became a television star through sharp black humor and shows such as Takeshi's Castle. He gained notice as a serious actor in Nagisa Oshima's Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983), then made his directing debut with Violent Cop (1989) when Kinji Fukasaku withdrew. His films, many about yakuza or police, include Boiling Point (1990), Sonatine (1993), Getting Any? (1995), Hana-bi (1997), which won the Golden Lion at Venice, Kikujiro (1999), and Taboo (1999). He also starred in Battle Royale (2000), Outrage (2010), Outrage Beyond (2012), Outrage Coda (2017), and Ghost in the Shell (2017).
79years old
Turns 80 on January 18in 98 days
- Born Adachi
- Star sign: CapricornThe sign runs December 22 to January 19
- 北野武 (birth name)Also credited as Beat Takeshi and Kitano Takeshi
Movie Career
- Films
- 19
- Career span
- 40 years1983 to 2023
Photos
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A first
In 1986, Kitano served as a consultant and partial designer on the Family Computer game Takeshi no Chōsenjō, also known as Takeshi's Challenge. No Japanese celebrity before him had actively contributed to a video game's development.
About the name
Kitano adopted the stage name Beat Takeshi when he formed the comedy duo Two Beat with Kiyoshi Kaneko in 1973.
Behind the award
For his film Hana-bi (1997), Kitano received the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, making him the third Japanese director to earn that award, following Akira Kurosawa and Hiroshi Inagaki.
First role
Kitano's first major film role came in Nagisa Oshima's Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, playing a tough POW camp sergeant in World War II. He was devastated when the audience laughed at his first appearance, but resolved to keep taking serious, dark roles.
Takeshi Kitano movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Nagisa Ôshima directed two of these films. Two actors appear in six of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Kanji Tsuda's page
Susumu Terajima's page
Ren Ôsugi's page
Hakuryû's page
Makoto Ashikawa's page
Also three films together3 more actors
- Ryô KaseKubi (2023), Beyond Outrage (2012) and Outrage (2010)
- Tetsu WatanabeTakeshis' (2005), Fireworks (1997) and Sonatine (1993)
- Kayoko KishimotoTakeshis' (2005), Kikujiro (1999) and Fireworks (1997)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Box office
What Takeshi Kitano's films earned in cinemas worldwide.
Combined worldwide box office
$253 million
8 of the 19 films have a worldwide figure.
Of the 19 films: 8 worldwide figure; 5 us gross only; 1 never in cinemas; 5 figure not found.
- 8Worldwide figure
- 5US gross only
- 1Never in cinemas
- 5Figure not found
Top grosser
Highest grossing
The eight biggest films earned 100% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.
- 1$170M67.2% of the total
- 2$31M12.1% of the total
- 3$19M7.6% of the total
- 4$16M6.4% of the total
- 5$8.4M3.3% of the total
- 6$6.1M2.4% of the total
- 7$2.3M0.9% of the total
- 8$59K0.0% of the total
Awards
Twelve awards and honors from 1989 to 2018, one of them major.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venice Film Festival | |||
| 1997 | Golden Lion | Hana-bi | Won |
| Other honors | |||
| 2018 | The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette | Won | |
| 2013 | Asian Film Award for Best Director | Beyond Outrage | Won |
| 2003 | Nikkan Sports Film Award for Best Director | Zatōichi | Won |
| 2003 | Silver Lion | Zatōichi | Won |
| 1999 | Blue Ribbon Awards for Best Actor | Hana-bi | Won |
| 1999 | Blue Ribbon Awards for Best Director | Hana-bi | Won |
| 1997 | Blue Ribbon Awards for Best Director | Kids Return | Won |
| 1997 | European Film Award for Best Non-European Film | Hana-bi | Won |
| 1996 | Nikkan Sports Film Award for Best Director | Kids Return | Won |
| 1992 | Blue Ribbon Awards for Best Director | A Scene at the Sea | Won |
| 1989 | Nikkan Sports Film Award for Best Newcomer | Violent Cop | Won |
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.