Takeshi Kitano

Takeshi Kitano (北野 武, Kitano Takeshi), also known as Beat Takeshi, is a famous Japanese personality known for his contribution to the world of comedy, acting, filmmaking, and TV hosting. Born on January 18, 1947, in Adachi, Tokyo, Kitano entered the industry in 1969. He gained significant recognition with his iconic comedy and black humor, capturing a large audience with his TV shows like Oretachi Hyōkin-zoku and Takeshi's Castle, recording the highest viewership rating of 29.1%. His forte lies in his acting skills, primarily as a comedian and TV host in Japan and as a filmmaker and actor abroad. Kitano's prominence rose to international levels with his violent yet intriguing film, Hana-bi, that won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 1997. His yakuza-themed dramas, unique acting style, and long shots in his films have earned him a legacy in the world of cinema. With Nagaharu Yodogawa, a Japanese film critic, Kitano has been identified as 'the true successor' to the influential filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. Kitano's personal life was humble, with his father being a housepainter and mother a strict disciplinarian. He grew up admiring baseball players and yakuza in his working-class neighborhood. Despite facing harsh criticism for his work in the United States, Kitano continued to garner attention in Europe and Asia. He is known to have ventured into painting post his accident in 1994, with the artwork often being showcased in gallery exhibitions and books. He went ahead with Outrage Coda in 2017, the third part of his successful crime trilogy, Outrage. Kitano is known for his satirical comedy, black humor, and portrayal of yakuza gangsters and police officers. Despite the bleak worldview reflected in his films, they also encapsulate humor and character affection.