Biography
Akiji Kobayashi (小林昭二, Kobayashi Akiji, September 6, 1930 – August 27, 1996), sometimes credited as Shōji Kobayashi, was a Japanese actor. He attended Nihon University College of Art, but withdrew before completing his degree and joined the Haiyuza Theatre Company in 1949. He made his film debut with Satsujin Yogisha in 1952. He is best known in the West for portraying the role of Captain Toshio Muramatsu in the 1966-1967 television series, Ultraman. From 1983-84, he appeared in the popular television detective series Seibu Keisatsu. His other notable television role was Tōbei Tachibana ("Oya-san") in several series of the Kamen Rider franchise. He was one of Kon Ichikawa's favorite actors, appearing in 12 Ichikawa films. His final film appearance was Yatsuhaka-mura as Head of a Factory directed by Kon Ichikawa in 1996. He was the official dubbing artist of John Wayne and Richard Crenna. Kobayashi died of lung cancer in Yokohama on August 27, 1996, ten days before his 66th birthday.
Acted in 98
1990s
- 1997
Master Swordsman Hirate Miki - Duel in Tone
Movie
- 1996
The 8-Tomb Village
Movie
Revive! Ultraman
Movie
- 1995
Getting Any?
Chief of World Defence Force
- 1994
Ie Naki Ko
TV
- 1993
Kogarashi Monjirō Returns
Movie
- 1992
Run, Melos!
Dionysus II (voice)
- 1991
- 1990
Ultra Q The Movie: Legend of the Stars
Detective
Like the Clouds, Like the Wind
Konton
1980s
- 1989
Ultraman: Terror on Route 87
Toshio Muramatsu
The Men Who Made Ultraman
Movie
- 1986
Desperate Pursuit
Inoue
Bakumatsu seishun graffiti: Ronin Sakamoto Ryoma
Hanazuki
- 1985
- 1983
- 1982
Lady on 6th Street: Taste of Honey
Kodera
Ten Duels of Young Shingo: Chapter 2
Movie
- 1981
Lonely Heart
Movie
- 1980
Koto: The Ancient City
Movie
1970s
- 1979
The Tale of Jean Valjean
Jean Valjean (voice)
Immortal Kamen Rider Special
Tobei Tachibana
The House of Hanging
Sannosuke
- 1978
- 1977
Fushoku no kōzō
Detective Okawa · 1 episode
Utamaro's World
Movie
Lullaby to Kill
Koreya Kusakabe (manager)
- 1976
The Kagestar: The Movie
Inspector Tonda
The Kagestar
Inspector Keibu Tonda · 34 episodes
All Together! Seven Kamen Riders!!
Tōbei Tachibana
- 1975
Hanuman and the Five Kamen Riders
Tobei Tachibana (archive footage)
- 1974
- 1973
The Woman Who Calls for Corpses
Movie
- 1972
Daigoro vs. Goliath
Hitoshi Suzuki
The Pirates of Buban
Movie
- 1971
Return of Ultraman: Terror of the Waterspout Monsters
Captain Takamura
Mandala
Movie
Mysterious Thirteen Nights: Chapter 5 - The Mystery of the Skull Wife
Movie
Kamen Rider
Tobei Tachibana · 98 episodes
- 1970
This Transient Life
Movie
1960s
- 1969
Prison Break
Movie
The Curse of the Ghost
Naosuke
- 1968
Sabu and Ichi's Detective Stories
TV
Operation: Mystery
Taizo Machida · 26 episodes
- 1967
- 1966
The Birth of Ultraman
Toshio Muramatsu
The Father of Ultra Q
Movie
The Pornographers
Man at the Party
- 1965
宇宙少年ソラン
ワイラー · 96 episodes
- 1963
Fight of the Gamblers
Movie
- 1962
