Biography
Kei Tani (谷啓, Tani Kei) (born Yasuo Watanabe (渡部 泰雄, Watanabe Yasuo) ; 22 February 1932 – 11 September 2010) was a Japanese comedian, actor and musician. Born in Tokyo, he learned to play the trombone and, while a student at Chuo University, began playing in jazz bands performing for American soldiers during the Occupation of Japan. He quit university and joined the City Slickers with Frankie Sakai in 1953. In 1956, he joined the comic-jazz band The Crazy Cats with Hajime Hana and Hitoshi Ueki. He came to fame when the Crazy Cats started appearing on television, especially through their variety show "Shabondama Holiday," and in movies, through comedy series such as the "Irresponsible" (Musekinin) series at Toho. Some of his nonsense one-word gags such as "gachon" became buzzwords imitated throughout the nation. He also appeared alone in dramatic roles on film and television, was a regular in the "Tsuribaka Nisshi" film series, and continued to be a popular figure on variety TV.
His real name was Yasuo Watanabe, but his stage name, especially with the Japanese name order "Tani Kei", was based on a pun on the name Danny Kaye.
He died of a brain contusion on 11 September 2010 after falling down the stairs in his Mitaka home.
Filmography
all 85
Movies 75
TV Shows 10
どーもくん (2018)
Free and Easy 20: Final (2009)
Chameleon (2008)
Postman (2008)
Smile (2007)
Free and Easy 18 (2007)
Atagoal: Cat's Magical Forest (2006)
Free and Easy 17 (2006)
Returning the Favor (2006)
Free and Easy 16 (2005)
Be with You (2005)
Swing Girls (2004)
Free and Easy 15 (2004)
Shinibana (2004)
Hakuro no Shibijin (2004)
Fukumimi (2003)
Youth Bakachin Cooking School (2003)
My Little Chef (2002)
The Graduation (2002)
Free and Easy 12: Big Holiday Bonus Project (2001)
Stereo Future (2001)
The Stupid Teacher (2000)
As the River Flows (2000)
Free and Easy 11 (2000)
One for All (1999)
Emergency Room 24 Hours (1999)
Free and Easy: Samurai Edition (1998)
Samurai Fiction (1998)
After Life (1998)
Free and Easy 10 (1998)
Free and Easy 9 (1997)
Sore Ga Kotae Da! (1997)
Love and Duty (1997)
Free and Easy 8 (1996)
Justice For All (1995)
Keiji hebi ni yokogirareru (1995)
Free and Easy 6 (1993)
Free and Easy 5 (1992)
The Games Teachers Play (1992)
Yonigeya hompo (1992)
Free and Easy 4 (1991)
Free and Easy 3 (1990)
Tokyo Heaven (1990)
Tales of the Bizarre (1990)
Free and Easy 2 (1989)
Urban Marine Resort Story (1989)
Free and Easy (1988)
Kaisha monogatari: Memories of You (1988)
Whisper of the Spirits (1987)
L・O・V・I・N・G (1983)
古谷一行の名探偵・金田一耕助シリーズ (1983)
A Ghost Love Story of Japan (1982)
Lonely Heart (1981)
Tobeikarosu no tsubasa (1979)
Haguregumo (1978)
なにがなんでも為五郎 (1970)
Japan's No. 1 Disconnected Man (1969)
Crazy Big Explosion (1969)
Vagabond Schemer (1969)
Mexican Free-for-All (1968)
How to Make a Big Hit (1968)
The Million Dollar Pursuit (1968)
Monsieur Zivaco (1967)
Greatest Challenge of All (1967)
Las Vegas Free-For-All (1967)
The Boss of Pick-Pocket Bay (1966)
The Crazy Adventure (1965)
True Osaka Grit (1965)
Nippon Ichi no Goma Suri Otoko (1965)
The Donkey Comes on a Tank (1964)
The Life of a Chivalrous Man in Suruga: Broken Swords (1964)
The Sandal Keeper (1964)
Ant Hell War (1964)
An Impudent Man (1964)
Miyamoto Musashi: The Duel at Ichijo Temple (1964)
Crazy Cats Go to Hong Kong (1963)
Kureji sakusen: Kudabare! Musekinin (1963)
Miyamoto Musashi: Birth of Two Sword Style (1963)
The Best Playboy In Japan (1963)
Crazy Operation (1963)
Nippon Irresponsible Guy (1962)
Wakai kisetsu (1962)
Happy Go-Lucky (1962)
Kureji no Hanayome to Shichinin no Nakama (1962)
The Woman Who Touched Legs (1960)
Ratings
Information
Known ForActing
GenderMale
Birthday1932-02-22
Deathday2010-09-11 (78 years old)
Birth Name渡部泰雄
Birth PlaceTokyo, Japan
CitizenshipsJapan
Also Known As谷啓
This article uses material from Wikipedia.
- Kei Tani
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