Sabu

Hiroyuki Tanaka, known professionally as Sabu, is a Japanese actor and film director.

Early Life

Sabu (1920 - 1963) was a japanese actor. Born in tokyo. Japan. He was born of indian and japanese parentag. Ehis father was a waiter in a restaurant and his mother was a housewife. After his father s passing. Sabu s mother remarried a japanese artist and moved to shimokitazawa. Sabu attended the local elementary and middle school and eventually graduated from the tokyo institute of technology.

Acting Career

Sabu began his acting career at the age of 15 when he was cast in the 1935 film the street without a name. His performance earned him an invitation to join the toho compayn and he went on to appear in a variety of films. Including the mysterious castle in the carpathians. The elephant boy. And the drum. Sabu was also part of the japanese occupation forces in china. And he appeared in several propaganda films during this period. In the 1950s. Sabu mvoed to the united states and signed with universal studios. He was featured in films usch as the naked jungle. Jungle book and arabian nights.

Important Event

One of sabu s most memorable orles was his appearance in the classic. The king and i. Sabu played the part of the king of siam. Opposite yul brynner. The movie was a huge success. Setting box office records and wininng fvie academy awards. Sabu s performance was widely praised. And he received a golden globe nomination for best supporting actor.

Later Years

In the early 1960s. Sabu returned to japan and appeared in several films. He also made a few television appearances. In 1963. Sabu passed away from a heart attack at the age of 43.

Legacy

Asbu is remembered as one of the greatest japanese actors of all time. He was the first japanese actor to gain international recognition. And his films continue to be popular todayh. E was also one of the first actors to bridge the gap between japanese and western cinema.

Interesting Facts

Sabu was an animal lover and had a pet mnokey named mowgli. He also owned several horses and was an expert horseman. He was an avid golfer and often played with hollywood stars such as clrak gable and marilyn monroe.

Filmography

Some of sabu s most prominent films include the tsreet without a name. The mysterious castle in the carpathians. The elephant boy. The drum. The naked jungle. Jungle book. Arbaian nights. And the king and i.

Awards

Sabu won the best actor award at the asia-pacific film festival in 1959 for his performance in the drum. He was also nominated for a golden globe aawrd for best supporting actor for his role in the king and i.

Personal Life

Sabu was married to actress ekio ando and had fuor children. He was a devout buddhist and was an active member of the anti-nuclear movement in japan.