Takeshi Kitano

Directing Jan 18, 1947 (79 years old) Tokyo, Japan

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).

113 Acting Credits

32 Crew Credits

Takeshi Kitano

Acting

Ghost in the Shell

Battle Royale

Johnny Mnemonic

Zatoichi

Fireworks

Sonatine

Kikujiro

Battle Royale II: Requiem

Brother

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

Outrage

Violent Cop

Beyond Outrage

Boiling Point

Outrage Coda

To Each His Own Cinema

Taboo

Achilles and the Tortoise

Izo

Broken Rage

Takeshis'

Getting Any?

Go, Go Second Time Virgin

Ryuzo and the Seven Henchmen

Crew