Japanese martial artist film star Sonny Chiba dies at 82

TOKYO – Japanese histrion Sonny Chiba, who wowed the satellite with his martial arts skills successful much than 100 films, including “Kill Bill,” has died. He was 82.

Chiba, known successful Japan arsenic Shinichi Chiba, died precocious Thursday successful a infirmary adjacent Tokyo wherever helium had been treated for COVID-19 since Aug. 8, Tokyo-based Astraia, his absorption office, said successful a connection Friday. It said helium had not been vaccinated.

Chiba roseate to stardom successful Japan successful the 1960s, portraying samurai, fighters and constabulary detectives, the anguished alleged “anti-heroes” trying to past successful a convulsive world. He did galore of the stunt scenes himself.

His overseas vocation took disconnected aft his 1970s Japanese movie “The Street Fighter” proved fashionable successful the U.S.

American manager Quentin Tarantino listed the enactment arsenic among his “grindhouse,” oregon low-budget kitsch cinema, favorites.

Tarantino formed Chiba successful the relation of Hattori Hanzo, a maestro swordsmith successful “Kill Bill.”

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Chiba appeared successful the 1991 Hollywood movie “Aces,” directed by John Glen, arsenic good arsenic successful Hong Kong movies.

Chiba’s vocation besides got a boost from the planetary roar successful kung fu films, acceptable disconnected by Chinese fable Bruce Lee, though critics accidental Chiba tended to grounds a dirtier, thug-like warring benignant than Lee.

“A existent enactment legend. Your films are eternal and your vigor an inspiration. #SonnyChiba #RIP,” American histrion Lewis Tan said connected Twitter.

New York-based writer and manager Ted Geoghegan called him “the large Sonny Chiba.”

“Watch 1 of his films today,” Geoghegan tweeted, followed by images of a fist and a breached heart.

Other fans mournfully filled Twitter threads with clips of his movies and photos.

Born successful Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, Chiba studied astatine Nippon Sport Science University trained successful assorted martials arts, earning a fourth-degree achromatic loop successful karate.

Chiba acceptable up Japan Action Club successful 1980, to make a younger procreation of actors, including protege Hiroyuki Sanada, who is among Hollywood’s astir coveted Japanese actors, landing roles successful “The Last Samurai” and “Rush Hour 3.”

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Chiba is survived by his 3 children, Juri Manase, Mackenyu Arata and Gordon Maeda, each actors. A aftermath was canceled arsenic a pandemic measure, and ceremonial arrangements were inactive undecided, his bureau said.

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Yuri Kageyama is connected Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama

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