Obituary Index

David Lynch (passed away at 78)

Passed away on January 16. A film director known for the cult classic Eraserhead.

His 1980 film The Elephant Man was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, and from 1990 he created the global hit series Twin Peaks. At the Cannes Film Festival, he won the Palme d’Or for Wild at Heart and Best Director for Mulholland Drive.

A longtime smoker since childhood, he suffered from emphysema and in his later years found it difficult to leave home. He passed away at his daughter’s home, where he had evacuated due to wildfires in the Los Angeles area.

John Sykes (passed away at 65)

Passed away on January 20 (in reality, late December 2024). A British guitarist who was active in the hard rock and heavy metal scene.

His heavy, modern guitar playing and exceptional songwriting transformed every band he joined and led them to commercial success. After Tigers of Pan Tang and Thin Lizzy, he joined Whitesnake in 1983. Although he completed the massive hit album Whitesnake (aka Serpens Albus), which reached No. 2 in the U.S. and sold 8 million copies, he was dismissed before its release. He continued an active career with his band Blue Murder and through reviving Thin Lizzy.

Takuro Morinaga (passed away at 67)

Passed away on January 28. He worked for the Japan Tobacco and Salt Public Corporation, the Economic Planning Agency, and later at the Sanwa Research Institute.

From the 1990s onward, he became widely known as an economist and professor at Dokkyo University, explaining economics in an accessible manner on TV and through books. He was also famous as a collector of miniature cars, figures, and novelty items.

See more

Tsubakuro “Inside Person” (passed away at 51)

Passed away on February 17. He originally worked part-time in security and cleaning at Jingu Stadium. His bold, unshakable personality was recognized by the team, and he became Tsubakuro’s handler in 1994.

His quick-witted flip-board comedy, sharp yet affectionate humor, uplifting performances for fans and players, spontaneous interactions with cheerleaders and other teams’ mascots, and his warm messages of support made him a beloved figure far beyond the realm of mascots.

Gene Hackman (passed away at 95)

Passed away on February 18. A late-blooming actor who pursued acting at age 30 after working various jobs including Marine Corps service and journalism.

He studied acting at the Actors Studio alongside Dustin Hoffman and gained recognition with Bonnie and Clyde at age 37. In 1971, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for The French Connection. After overcoming illness, he won Best Supporting Actor for Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven (1992).

Montta Minomonta (passed away at 80)

Passed away on March 1. He gained popularity as an announcer for Nippon Cultural Broadcasting through late-night radio, and later became known for his lively, ad-lib-heavy narration on the TV special Pro Yakyu Chin-Play Kō-Play Taishō.

He hosted numerous information programs as a freelance announcer, including Gogo wa ○○ Omoikkiri TV and Asa Zuba!. In 2006, he was recognized by Guinness World Records for “the longest total live TV hosting time in a week.”

Ayumi Ishida (passed away at 76)

Passed away on March 11. A former figure skater who became a singer and later an actress in numerous films and dramas.

Her 1968 hit Blue Light Yokohama made her a nationally beloved singer. She later focused on acting, earning acclaim for Gate of Youth: Independence, Station, and Tora-san’s Tale of Hydrangeas.

In the drama From the North Country, she portrayed the divorced wife of the protagonist. The emotional scene where she responds through the train window to Hotaru running after her moved many viewers to tears.

Ellie Omiya (passed away at 49)

Passed away on April 23. After graduating from the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, she joined Dentsu and worked on the famous 1996 Docomo pager commercial that made Ryoko Hirosue a sensation.

After becoming independent, she released the hit short film A Story Happened at the Beach, wrote the popular essay series Ikiru Konto, and wrote scripts for dramas such as Salaryman NEO and Mikeneko Holmes no Suiri. She was also active as a stage director, painter, and radio host for All Night Nippon.

See more

Shigeo Nagashima (passed away at 89)

Passed away on June 3. A legendary Japanese baseball player known affectionately as “Mr. Professional Baseball,” who spent his entire career with the Yomiuri Giants.

After joining from Rikkyo University, he won Rookie of the Year in 1958 and collected numerous titles, including 5 MVPs, 6 batting titles, 2 home run titles, and 5 RBI titles. As manager, he led the team to 5 league championships and 2 Japan Series titles. In 2001, he was named lifetime honorary manager, and in 2013 he received the People’s Honor Award.

His dramatic swinging strikeouts that sent his helmet flying, daring defensive plays far from his position, and walk-off home run in the Emperor’s first-ever attended game made him a star and an eternal hero to boys of the Showa era.

See more

Brian Wilson (passed away at 82)

Passed away on June 11. In 1961, he formed The Beach Boys with his brothers and others and created numerous hit songs with his musical genius.

After gaining popularity with upbeat songs like Surfin' U.S.A., he released the groundbreaking concept album Pet Sounds in 1966. Unlike their earlier cheerful image, the album explored more personal and introspective themes. Its collage-like layering of harmonies, unusual instruments, and everyday sounds earned high praise and is regarded as one of the greatest albums in rock history.

James Miki (passed away at 91)

Passed away on June 14. After training at the Haiyuza Theater Company and working 13 years as a singer, he turned to being a novelist at age 30 and later a screenwriter.

He wrote the script for the 1985 NHK morning drama Miotsukushi, which became a huge hit with a peak rating of 55.3%, launching Yasuko Sawaguchi’s career. In 1987, his historical drama Dokuganryu Masamune achieved the highest ratings in NHK Taiga drama history.

There are several theories behind his pen name “James Miki,” including a pun on “going to the tax office” and inspiration from Yasujiro Ozu’s script alias “James Maki.”

Lalo Schifrin (passed away at 93)

Passed away on June 26. An Argentine composer known for iconic themes such as Enter the Dragon, Dirty Harry, and the TV series Mission: Impossible.

After gaining recognition as a jazz pianist in Dizzy Gillespie’s band, he turned to film scoring in the 1960s. His innovative fusion of jazz with symphonic orchestration broke new ground in film music.

Ozzy Osbourne (passed away at 76)

Passed away on July 22. A Birmingham-born vocalist and frontman of the pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath.

He debuted with Black Sabbath on Friday the 13th, February 1970. Its heavy, dark sound influenced generations of metal bands. After leaving the band in 1979, he began a solo career and discovered guitar legends such as Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee, and Zakk Wylde. In the 2000s, his family’s reality show The Osbournes became a worldwide phenomenon.

His life was filled with battles against alcohol and drug addiction, and he left many infamous stories, including biting the heads off a dove and a bat.

See more

Chuck Mangione (passed away at 84)

Passed away on July 22. A flugelhorn and trumpet player from New York who made major contributions to jazz fusion.

After joining Art Blakey’s band, he switched from trumpet to flugelhorn and moved into fusion. His song Feels So Good reached the top five of the U.S. charts. In 1980, he composed Give It All You Got, inspired by the Lake Placid Winter Olympics.

He won Grammy Awards for Bellavia (1975) and Children of Sanchez (1978).

See more

Hulk Hogan (passed away at 71)

Passed away on July 24. A professional wrestler who enjoyed global popularity throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

With his superhero-like physique, moustache, and red bandana, he helped boost WWE’s worldwide recognition. In Japan, he was a major star in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. His finishing move “Axe Bomber” and his shout of “Ichibaaaan!” made him extremely popular.

On June 2, 1983, in a match against Antonio Inoki, Inoki was knocked unconscious by the Axe Bomber, his tongue protruding—an incident so shocking that even mainstream newspapers covered it.

Kunishige Kamamoto (passed away at 81)

Passed away on August 10. A legendary forward of the Japan national football team.

Before the J.League era, he scored 202 goals in the Japan Soccer League (all-time record). For the national team, he scored 75 goals in 76 A-matches and became the first Asian top scorer at the 1968 Mexico Olympics.

He possessed exceptional physical strength and could score with his right foot, left foot, or head, though he was especially known for his powerful right-foot strikes—injuring two goalkeepers in one match.

His 75 national-team goals remain an unbroken, legendary record.

Yukio Hashi (passed away at 82)

Passed away on September 4. A Japanese singer popular as one of the “Gosanke” (“Big Three”), alongside Kazuo Funaki and Teruhiko Saigo.

A mischievous boy obsessed with boxing, he began vocal lessons at his mother’s urging. In 1960, he won Best New Artist with “Itako Gasa.” He later won the Japan Record Award for “Itsudemo Yume wo” (1962) and “Muhyo” (1966).

Beyond singing, he engaged in social activities such as serving as an ambassador for service dogs and published Okasan wa Uchujin, a memoir about caring for his mother with dementia.

Robert Redford (passed away at 89)

Passed away on September 16. A California-born actor known for starring in numerous Hollywood classics.

He achieved stardom with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), co-starring with Paul Newman. He was nominated for Best Actor for The Sting (1973), again alongside Newman. His directorial debut Ordinary People (1980) won both Best Picture and Best Director.

He also founded the Sundance Film Festival, supporting emerging filmmakers such as Quentin Tarantino and Jim Jarmusch. Films like The Blair Witch Project and Saw also gained international recognition thanks to the festival.

Diane Keaton (passed away at 79)

Passed away on October 11. An actress who redefined the Hollywood heroine and influenced generations of women.

After building her career on Broadway, she broke out in The Godfather as Al Pacino’s romantic partner. She won Best Actress for Annie Hall, directed by Woody Allen, her partner both on and off screen.

Her portrayal of a lovable yet flawed, neurotic heroine in Annie Hall reshaped conventional images of women in film. Her mannish fashion sparked the global “Annie Hall look” trend.

Ace Frehley (passed away at 74)

Passed away on October 17. The lead guitarist and founding member of KISS.

As “The Spaceman,” one of the band’s iconic characters, he contributed greatly to early KISS’s sound with tracks like “Cold Gin.” His skilled and melodic playing influenced many later guitarists.

His guitar performance on the 1975 live album Alive!, which propelled the band to massive success, remains legendary.

Bjorn Andresen (passed away at 70)

Passed away on October 25. A Swedish actor best known as Tadzio in Luchino Visconti’s Death in Venice.

Raised by his grandmother after lacking parental affection, his beauty shocked the world through the 1971 film. Later exploited by harsh industry conditions and manipulative adults, he withdrew from film, only to face the tragedy of losing his beloved child.

After years battling addiction, he returned in the 2019 sensation Midsommar. The revelation that the white-haired old man was Andresen caused global shock.

Tatsuya Nakadai (passed away at 92)

Passed away on November 8. One of Japan’s greatest actors, active for over 70 years in film and theater.

He debuted as a silent ronin in Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai (1954), where he famously endured multiple retakes of just a walking scene. His talent blossomed as the lead in Masaki Kobayashi’s The Human Condition trilogy (1959–1961).

Kurosawa later cast him as a rival to Toshiro Mifune in Yojimbo. He continued in Kurosawa works such as Sanjuro and High and Low. In Kagemusha (1980), which won the Palme d’Or, he replaced Shintaro Katsu, who left after clashing with Kurosawa.

In 1975, he founded the “Mumeijuku” acting school, where his wife Kyoko Miyazaki directed while he focused on acting. The school produced many major actors including Koji Yakusho, Yoko Maki, and Kenichi Takito.