BIO

Daisuke Kato | 加東大介 was born Tokunosuke Katou, in Tokyo, Japan, in 1911.

Born into a theatrical family, Kato followed his older brother, the actor Kunitaro Sawamura (1905-1974) into the Kabuki theatre and then into film.   His older sisters were the folklorist Seiko Yajima (1903-1988) and the actress Sadako Sawamura (1908-1996).   Sadako was married for a time to the actor Kamatari Fujiwara (1905-1985).

A veteran of more than 170 motion pictures, Kato made his film debut in 1936, at the age of 27, for Nikkatsu.

After being demobilized from his station in New Guinea as a corporal during World War II, Kato returned to his film career and joined director Akira Kurosawa’s stock company at Toho.

Kato won the Mainichi Film Award for Supporting Actor for his performances in Vendetta of a Samurai (1952) and Mother (1952).   His last film was released in 1974.

Kato’s son was married to Kazuko Kurosawa (1954-), the costume designer and daughter of Akira Kurosawa.   His grandson is the actor Takayuki Kato.

Kato died of colon cancer in Tokyo, in 1975, at the age of 65.

Additional biographical information is available at:

NOTED FILMS