Yakuza-Role Actor and Variety TV Legend Dies at 70 - Shingo Yamashiro

Shingo Yamashiro wore many hats in the world of Japanese entertainment - an TV emcee, television drama actor to a silver screen yakuza. At the age of 70, Wednesday morning, close sources say he died of pneumonia at a nursing home for the elderly in Tokyo. The Kyoto native, whose real name is Yasuji Watanabe, debuted as a movie actor in 1957 and gained television popularity later in his career.

Some of his well-known work includes ‘‘Hakuba Doji’’ (White Horse Rider) in 1960 and a series of yakuza gangster films entitled ‘‘Jingi Naki Tatakai’’ (Battle Without Honor and Humanity) in the 1970s.

For a full list of Shingo Yamashiro’s work, refer to his profile on imbd.com