Takeshi Kitano

Takeshi Kitano

1947-01-18

Biography

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).

Also appears in

Ghost in the Shell

Ghost in the Shell

6.1

Zatoichi

Zatoichi

7.2

Battle Royale

Battle Royale

7.3

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

7.3

Johnny Mnemonic

Johnny Mnemonic

5.8

Battle Royale II: Requiem

Battle Royale II: Requiem

4.9

To Each His Own Cinema

To Each His Own Cinema

6.5

Brother

Brother

7.1

Beyond Outrage

Beyond Outrage

7.0

Fireworks

Fireworks

7.7

Demon

Demon

7.7

Kikujiro

Kikujiro

7.5

Sonatine

Sonatine

7.5

Boiling Point

Boiling Point

6.9

Izo

Izo

6.0

Taboo

Taboo

6.5

Trespassing Bergman

Trespassing Bergman

6.6

Go, Go Second Time Virgin

Go, Go Second Time Virgin

6.7

Achilles and the Tortoise

Achilles and the Tortoise

7.0

Violent Cop

Violent Cop

7.2