Akira Kobayashi


Akira Kobayashi is a Japanese actor and singer. His nickname is "Mighty Guy".

Biography

Kobayashi attended Meiji University but left before graduating. He became an actor at Nikkatsu and made his film debut with "Ueru Tamashii" directed by Yuzo Kawashima in 1956. He solidified his popularity with such films as Nangoku Tosa o Ato ni Shite and starred in the Wataridori series and "Senpūji" film series. Kobayashi, along with Yujiro Ishihara and others, formed the core of Nikkatsu Action's golden age. Kobayashi produced and starred detective tv drama series Target Men in 1971.
In 1972, he left Nikkatsu and signed with Toei film. There he starred in many yakuza films, including Battles Without Honor and Humanity series. In 1989, Kobayashi made his director debut with Haru kuru Oni.

Marriage

Kobayashi was married to popular singer Misora Hibari in 1962, but the marriage ended in divorce two years later in 1964. He remarried actress Kyōko Aoyama in 1967, and she later died in 2020.

Music

Kobayashi debuted in 1958 with the single Onna wo Wasurero. He sang some of the theme songs from his movies such "Gitā o Motta Wataridori" and "Ginza Maitogai", which became hits.
In addition to those songs, he also performed the song "Jidōsha Shō Ka" and comical songs like "Koi no Yamanotesen" and a few songs of the enka variety, such as "Mukashi no Namae de Dete imasu","Tsuite kuru kai" and "Atsuki Kokoroni" in 1986.

Selected filmography

;FilmsShori-sha - cameo Kawakami Tetsuharu monogatari sebangō 16 Sun in the Last Days of the Shogunate Rusty Knife Young Breasts Zesshō Wataridori Series
;TelevisionTarget Men Tabigarasu Jiken Cho Gennosuke Yonaishicho Ryūkyū no Kaze
  • ''Netafurishiteiru Otokotachi''

Golf

He is a professional golf player. He belongs to the International Sports Promotion Society.