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Akira Kobayashi

Summary

Akira Kobayashi (Japanese: 小林 旭, Hepburn: Kobayashi Akira, born November 3, 1938) is a Japanese actor and singer. His nickname is Maito Gai (マイトガイ, "Might Guy").[1]

Akira Kobayashi
Born (1938-11-03) November 3, 1938 (age 85)
Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
Occupation(s)Actor, singer
Years active1956–present
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Spouse
Kyōko Aoyama
​
(m. 1967)​

Biography edit

Kobayashi attended Meiji University but left before graduating. He became an actor at Nikkatsu and made his film debut with "Ueru Tamashii" directed by Yuzo Kawashima in 1956.[2] He solidified his popularity with such films as Nangoku Tosa o Ato ni Shite (A Farewell to Southern Tosa) and starred in the Wataridori series and "Senpūji" ("Whirlwind Child") film series. Kobayashi, along with Yujiro Ishihara and others, formed the core of Nikkatsu Action's golden age.[3] Kobayashi produced and starred detective tv drama series Target Men in 1971.[4]

In 1972, he left Nikkatsu and signed with Toei film. There he starred in many yakuza films, including Battles Without Honor and Humanity series.[5] In 1989, Kobayashi made his director debut with Haru kuru Oni.[6]

Marriage edit

Kobayashi was married to popular singer Misora Hibari in 1962, but the marriage ended in divorce two years later in 1964.[7] He remarried actress Kyōko Aoyama in 1967, and she later died in 2020.

Music edit

Kobayashi debuted in 1958 with the single Onna wo Wasurero. He sang some of the theme songs from his movies such "Gitā o Motta Wataridori" ("The Guitar-toting Rambler") and "Ginza Maitogai" ("Ginza's Whirlwind Child"), which became hits.

In addition to those songs, he also performed the song "Jidōsha Shō Ka" ("Auto Show Song") (which, in 2005, was featured in Asahi Breweries' "Cocktail Partner" commercial) and comical songs like "Koi no Yamanotesen" ("The Yamanote Line of Love") and a few songs of the enka variety, such as "Mukashi no Namae de Dete imasu" ("I'm Going by My Old Name"),"Tsuite kuru kai" ("Will you follow me?") and "Atsuki Kokoroni" in 1986.

Selected filmography edit

Films
Television
  • Target Men (1971)
  • Tabigarasu Jiken Cho (1980)
  • Gennosuke Yonaishicho (1981)
  • Ryūkyū no Kaze (1993)
  • Netafurishiteiru Otokotachi (1995)

Golf edit

He is a professional golf player. He belongs to the International Sports Promotion Society.

References edit

  1. ^ Mighty Guy Label Archived 2010-02-11 at the Wayback Machine Kobayashi's official site
  2. ^ "Kobayashi Akira". Nihon jinmei daijiten+Plus. Kōdansha. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  3. ^ "日活アクション（読み）にっかつあくしょん 世界大百科事典内の日活アクションの言及". kotobank. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  4. ^ "Akira Kobayshi profile". Kinenote. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  5. ^ "小林旭". Nikkatsu. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
  6. ^ "春来る鬼" (in Japanese). Shochiku. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  7. ^ "美空ひばりが小林旭と結婚した意外な理由とは？！". rbbtoday. 12 September 2018. Retrieved 2020-11-28.

External links edit

  • Official website
  • "AKIRA KOBAYASHI". at The Complete Index to World Film. Retrieved 2009-01-27. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  • Akira Kobayashi at IMDb
  • "小林旭 (Kobayashi Akira)". JMDB (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 19 February 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-19. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)