Biography
Takeshi Kitano (北野 武, Kitano Takeshi, born January 18, 1947), also known in Japan as Beat Takeshi (ビートたけし, Bīto Takeshi), is a Japanese comedian, actor, and filmmaker. While he is known primarily as a comedian and TV host in his native Japan, he is better known abroad for his work as a filmmaker and actor as well as TV host.
Kitano rose to prominence in the 1970s as one half of the comedy duo Two Beat, before going solo and becoming one of the three biggest comedians in the country. After several small acting roles, he made his directorial debut with 1989's Violent Cop and garnered international acclaim for Sonatine (1993). He was not widely accepted as an accomplished director in Japan until Hana-bi won the Golden Lion in 1997. In October 2017, Kitano completed his Outrage crime trilogy with the release of Outrage Coda. He is also known internationally for hosting the game show Takeshi's Castle (1986–1990) and starring in the film Battle Royale (2000).
Filmography
Cast Credits
AUM: The Cult at the End of the World
Character: Self (archive footage)
MOVIE • 2025
Broken Rage
Character: Nezumi
MOVIE • 2024
Kubi
Character: Hashiba Hideyoshi
MOVIE • 2023
Takeshi's Castle Japan
Character:
TV • 2023
Johnny Mnemonic: In Black & White
Character: Takahashi
MOVIE • 2022
Citizen Kitano
Character: Self
MOVIE • 2020
たけしのその時カメラは回っていた
Character:
TV • 2020
Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story
Character: 古今亭志生
TV • 2019
Why Are We Creative?
Character: Self
MOVIE • 2018
Kiseki taiken! Unbelievable
Character: Storyteller
TV • 2018
Outrage Coda
Character: Otomo
MOVIE • 2017
Ghost in the Shell: Hard-Wired Humanity - Making Ghost in the Shell
Character: self
MOVIE • 2017
Prison Break
Character: Urata
MOVIE • 2017
Ghost in the Shell
Character: Aramaki
MOVIE • 2017
Doctor X: Gekai Daimon Michiko Special
Character:
MOVIE • 2016
While the Women Are Sleeping
Character: Sahara
MOVIE • 2016
A Living Promise
Character: Detective Koichiro Iwase
MOVIE • 2016
Aka Medaka
Character: Tatekawa Danshi
MOVIE • 2015
Mozu The Movie
Character: Daruma
MOVIE • 2015
Ryuzo and the Seven Henchmen
Character: Detective Murakami
MOVIE • 2015
Crew
Crew Credits
Broken Rage
Role: Director
MOVIE • 2024
Broken Rage
Role: Writer
MOVIE • 2024
Broken Rage
Role: Editor
MOVIE • 2024
Kubi
Role: Editor
MOVIE • 2023
Kubi
Role: Screenplay
MOVIE • 2023
Kubi
Role: Director
MOVIE • 2023
Kubi
Role: Novel
MOVIE • 2023
Analog
Role: Novel
MOVIE • 2023
Asakusa Kid
Role: Novel
MOVIE • 2021
Outrage Coda
Role: Director
MOVIE • 2017
Outrage Coda
Role: Editor
MOVIE • 2017
Outrage Coda
Role: Screenplay
MOVIE • 2017
Ryuzo and the Seven Henchmen
Role: Director
MOVIE • 2015
Ryuzo and the Seven Henchmen
Role: Writer
MOVIE • 2015
Ryuzo and the Seven Henchmen
Role: Editor
MOVIE • 2015
Morning
Role: Director
MOVIE • 2014
Morning
Role: Screenplay
MOVIE • 2014
Kids Return: The Reunion
Role: Original Story
MOVIE • 2013
Nagi-Asu: A Lull in the Sea
Role: Assistant Editor
TV • 2013
Beyond Outrage
Role: Director
MOVIE • 2012