Ken Takakura
After serving in World War II, he became interested in the theater and helped found the Gekidan Mingei troupe in 1950. He gained fame for his television work from the 1970s, but he also appeared in many films, especially those of Juzo Itami. His last film, "Anata e", starring Ken Takakura, was released a few months before his death. He died of lung cancer at his home in Tokyo on 2 October 2012.