Akiji Kobayashi (小林昭二, Kobayashi Akiji; September 6, 1930 – August 27, 1996), sometimes credited as Shōji Kobayashi, was a Japanese actor. He attended Nihon University College of Art, but withdrew before completing his degree and joined the Haiyuza Theatre Company in 1949. He made his film debut with Satsujin Yogisha in 1952.
He is best known for portraying the role of Captain Toshio Muramatsu in the 1966-1967 television series, Ultraman. From 1983-84, he appeared in popular television detective series Seibu Keisatsu. His other notable television role was Tōbei Tachibana ("Oya-san") in several series of the Kamen Rider franchise. He was one of the Kon Ichikawa's favorite actors, appearing in 12 Ichikawa's films. His final film appearance was Yatsuhaka-mura as Head of a factory directed by Kon Ichikawa in 1996. He was the official dubbing artist of John Wayne and Richard Crenna. Kobayashi died of lung cancer in Yokohama on August 27, 1996.
Contents
Partial filmography
Television
1966: Ultra Q (TV series) as Lieutenant Colonel Amano
1966-1967: Ultraman (TV series) as Captain 'Cap' Toshio Muramatsu
1968-1969: Operation : Mystery (TV Series) as Taizō Machida
1971: Daichūshingura as Terasaka Kichiemon
1971-1973: Kamen Rider (TV series) as Tōbei Tachibana
1972: Shin Heike Monogatari (Taiga drama)
1973: Kunitori Monogatari (Taiga drama)
1973: Kamen Rider V3 (TV series) as Tōbei Tachibana
1974: Kamen Rider X (TV series) as Tōbei Tachibana
1974: Kamen Rider Amazon (TV series) as Tōbei Tachibana
1975: Kamen Rider Stronger (TV series) as Tōbei Tachibana
1976: The Kagestar as Inspector Tonda
1979: Akō Rōshi (TV series) as Hara Sōemon
1983-84: Seibu Keisatsu (TV series) as Detective Minami Chōtarō
1994: Furuhata Ninzaburō (TV series) (ep.5)
Dubbing
John Wayne
Stagecoach — Henry the Ringo Kid
3 Godfathers — Robert Marmaduke Hightower
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon — Captain Nathan Brittles
The Searchers — Ethan Edwards
Rio Bravo — John T. Chance
The Horse Soldiers – Colonel John Marlowe
North to Alaska – Sam McCord
True Grit — Rooster Cogburn
Chisum — John Chisum
The Cowboys — Wil Andersen
Rooster Cogburn — Rooster Cogburn
The Shootist — John Bernard Books
First Blood (1990 TBS edition) (Colonel Sam Trautman (Richard Crenna))
The Last Emperor (1989 TV Asahi edition) (Jin Yuan (Ying Ruocheng))
