Biography
Yōko Minamida (南田 洋子, Minamida Yōko, March 1, 1933 – October 21, 2009) was a Japanese actress. Born in Tokyo, Minamida made her screen debut in 1953 for the Daiei studio and quickly rose to stardom, working with Kenji Mizoguchi on two films: “A Story from Chikamatsu” and “Princess Yang Kwei-fei.” In 1955, she moved to the Nikkatsu studio, where she starred in Takumi Furukawa’s “Season of the Sun” (1956), a smash hit that launched the so-called “Sun Tribe” boom for films about rebellious youth looking for sex and kicks on Shonan Beach — Japan’s nearest equivalent to Malibu. Minamida acted in dozens of movies for Nikkatsu, working with Shohei Imamura, Seijun Suzuki, and other directors. In 1961 she married her co-star on “Season of the Sun,” Hiroyuki Nagato. As she acted in fewer movies after the mid-1960s, Minamida made a smooth and successful transition to TV as both an actress and MC. She also continued to appear occasionally in movies, with the last being Nobuhiko Obayashi’s “Song of Goodbye” in 2006. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in November 2008, and a TV documentary was made about her condition and the efforts of her husband to care for her. She died in Tokyo.
Acted in 135
2000s
- 2007
Song of Goodbye
Kyoko Tanabe
- 2004
- 2002
1990s
- 1997
Lost Paradise
Eto Kuniko · 12 episodes
- 1995
- 1990
Yellow Fangs
Kiyo
1980s
- 1989
Tears of a Swan
Atsuko Kawata · 25 episodes
- 1987
This Story of Love
Movie
Star Ranch
Movie
- 1984
Zero
Ine Hamada
- 1982
1970s
- 1978
At Noon
Movie
Take Me Away!
Tomi Oguchi
- 1977
Ame no meguri ai
Movie
- 1976
Akai Shougeki
TV
- 1975
Time of First Love
Movie
- 1974
Karafuto 1945 Summer
Movie
- 1972
The Kanto Scarlet Cherry Gang
Maid
- 1970
1960s
- 1969
Chivalrous Pride
Movie
- 1967
The Domain: Where The Blade Enters
Movie
The Domain: White Blade
Movie
- 1966
Debt of Honor
Oiku
Glorious Fights
Akemi
Showdown of Men
Movie
- 1965
The Kingdom of Jirocho 4
Movie
The Domain: Kanto Legends of Chivalry
Movie
Underworld Code
Movie
Irogotoshi harudanji
Otama
The Soundless Cry
Tokie Matsuura
The Domain: The Naniwa Story
Movie
- 1964
Gambler
Kimura Uta
An Outlaw
Movie
To Your Majesty, The Emperor 2
Misato
- 1963
Okashina yatsu
Fujiko, Shuntô
Kyu-chan, Draw Your Sword
Movie
- 1962
Glass-Hearted Johnny
Yumi
The Rambler Returns Home
Movie
Sun and Stars
Movie
A City Where Men Live
Movie
- 1961
Zurari oretacha yōjinbō
Movie
Gun of Nosappu
Movie
The Crimson Plains
Sakie Yazaki
Joe of Aces: Gambling for a Living
Yuri Harada
Pigs and Battleships
Katsuyo
- 1960
Tales of a Gunman: The Man Without Tomorrow
Sumi
Lone Wolf
Naomi
Jungle Block
Kayoko Komuro
Yakuza Song
Movie
1950s
- 1959
Elegy to Youth
Movie
Umi wa kurutte iru
Movie
We Live Today
Movie
- 1958
Voice Without a Shadow
Asako Kotani
Unga
Ryôko Fujiyama
Stolen Desire
Chidori Yamamura
- 1957
But the Flesh is Weak
Movie
A Sun-Tribe Myth from the Bakumatsu Era
Koharu
The Champion
Natsuko Miyagawa
- 1956
Our Town
Otsuru / Kimie
- 1955
A Daughter's Life Guide
田部三津子
Inhibited Love
Movie
A Girl Isn't Allowed to Love
Movie
Miss Teacher
Movie
- 1954
Haru no uzumaki
Movie
Atarashiki ten
Movie
Kimi machifune
Movie
Teenage Secrets
Movie
Konna bidanshi mita kotonai
Movie
Itsuki no komori uta
Movie
Rakka no mon
Movie
- 1953
Jūdai no yūwaku
Movie
Zenigata heiji torimono hikae: Kiniro no ōkami
Movie
Zoku zoku Jûdai no seiten
Movie
New Enoshima Elegy
Movie
Zoku jūdai no seiten
Akiko Yasutomi
Jūdai no seiten
Movie
Haha no hitomi
Movie
- 1952
Her Secret
Movie
Musume hatsukoi yatton-bushi
Movie
