Isao Yamagata

Isao Yamagata (山形 勲, Yamagata Isao, 25 July 1915 – 28 June 1996) was a Japanese film actor. In 1942, Yamagata and So Yamamura formed the Bunkaza Theatre Company. In 1949 he made his film debut with Kirareya Senta. Yamagata became famous for his role in 1953 film Gate of Hell. He became a character actor and often played villainous roles. In 1973, Yamagata landed main role on the TV jidaigeki Kenkaku Shōbai. He died of tuberculosis in 1996. He appeared in more than 180 films between 1951 and 1984.