So Yamamura
Japanese actor and film director
Died when: 90 years 92 days (1083 months)Star Sign: Pisces
So Yamamura (???, Yamamura So, 24 February 1910 – 26 May 2000) was a Japanese actor and film director.He was also known by the name Satoshi Yamamura, while his actual birth name is Koga Hirosada.
Yamamura graduated from University of Tokyo.In 1942, Yamamura and Isao Yamagata formed the Bunkaza Theatre Company.He began his career as a screen actor in 1946 and appeared in more than 110 films between 1947 and 1991.
In 1953, he debuted as a director with his film Kanikosen and directed other three films.Yamamura was introduced to Western audiences in the 1958 film The Barbarian and the Geisha.
In the US, he is well known for his portrayals of Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto of the Combined Fleet, in Tora!
Tora!Tora!, and of Mr.Sakamoto, the CEO of Assan Motors in Gung Ho.Yamamura appeared in a lot of jidaigeki television dramas.
He played the role of Tokugawa Ieyasu in the taiga drama Haru no Sakamichi in 1971.His major historical roles were Yagyu Munenori in the 1978 The Yagyu Conspiracy and Hoshina Masayuki in the 1980 Shadow Warriors.
In addition to historical parts, he appeared in fictional series.He portrayed as Otowaya Hanemon in the Hissatsu series Hissatsu Shikakenin, he reprised the character in the film series later.
