Takeshi Kitano
Born Jan 18, 1947 · 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).
Known for
Broken Rage
2024
Takeshi's Castle Japan
2023
Kubi
2023
Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story
2019
Ghost in the Shell
2017
Outrage Coda
2017
Prison Break
2017
While the Women Are Sleeping
2016
Doctor X: Gekai Daimon Michiko Special
2016
A Living Promise
2016
Ryuzo and the Seven Henchmen
2015
Mozu The Movie
2015
Aka Medaka
2015
In Between Mountains and Oceans
2014
Seicho Matsumoto's Black Gospel
2014
Miwa: A Japanese Icon
2013
Beyond Outrage
2012
Dearest
2012
Outrage
2010
Kikoku
2010
Achilles and the Tortoise
2008
The Monster X Strikes Back: Attack the G8 Summit
2008
Yayoi Kusama: I Love Me
2008
What the War Meant
2008
To Each His Own Cinema
2007
Dots and Lines
2007
Glory to the Filmmaker!
2007
Takeshis'
2005
Blood and Bones
2004
Izo
2004
The Golden Cups: One More Time
2004
MXC
2003
Musashi
2003
Battle Royale II: Requiem
2003
Zatoichi
2003
Takeshi's Castle
2002
Kichiku
2002
Battle Royale
2000
Brother
2000
The Story of One Century
2000
The 300 million yen robbery
2000
Kikujiro
1999
Taboo
1999
Zankyo
1999
Tokyo Eyes
1998
Fireworks
1997
Johnny Mnemonic
1995
Gonin
1995
Getting Any?
1995
Sonatine
1993
Today's Close-Up
1993
Many Happy Returns
1993
Erotic Liaisons
1992
Dioxin from Fish!
1992
A Legend of Turmoil
1992
Kim's War
1991
Boiling Point
1990
Hoshi wo tsugu mono
1990
Violent Cop
1989
The Boss' Wife
1988
Takeshi's Castle
1986
No More Comics!
1986
Demon
1985
Tokyo Melody: A Film About Ryuichi Sakamoto
1985
Joke with a Sorrowful Heart
1985
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence
1983
The Mosquito on the Tenth Floor
1983
Summer Secrets
1982
The Dump Truck Rascal
1981
Manon
1981
Completely... With That Air!
1981
Makoto-chan
1980
Go, Go Second Time Virgin
1969
In Your Blood: Hoki Naiden