Akiji Kobayashi

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 in the West for portraying the role of Captain Toshio Muramatsu in the 19661967 television series Ultraman From 198384 he appeared in the popular television detective series Seibu Keisatsu His other notable television role was Tōbei Tachibana Oyasan in several series of the Kamen Rider franchise He was one of Kon Ichikawas favorite actors appearing in 12 Ichikawa films His final film appearance was Yatsuhakamura 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 ten days before his 66th birthday