Hitoshi Ueki

Nihongo|Hitoshi Ueki|植木等|Ueki Hitoshi|extra=December 25, 1926–March 27, 2007 was a Japanese actor, comedian, singer, and guitarist. He won six awards for acting. [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0879957/awards Hitoshi Ueki - Awards] IMDB Retrieved June 21, 2008] His film credits stretch from 1960 to 1995. [ [http://www.jmdb.ne.jp/person/p0194500.htm 植木等] JMDB Retrieved June 21, 2008] [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0879957/ Hitoshi Ueki] IMDB Retrieved June 21, 2008]

Ueki's major appearances were in the "Musekinin Otoko" film series, the prime-time television series "The Hangman", and the ten 2-hour television shows in the "Nagoya Yomeiri Monogatari" franchise. He appeared in the Akira Kurosawa epic "jidaigeki" film "Ran", and received a nomination for the Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role. [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0879957/awards Hitoshi Ueki - Awards] IMDB Retrieved June 21, 2008] In 1978, he won that honor for his performance in "Shukuji", directed by Tomio Kuriyama. [ [http://www.japan-academy-prize.jp/allprizes/1987/index.html 日本アカデミー賞公式サイト] 1987 Prizes at Japan Academy Official Site Retrieved June 21, 2008] On stage, he portrayed Billy Flynn in the musical "Chicago".

Additionally, Ueki voiced the Roddy McDowall role in "Planet of the Apes".

His hit song with Hana Hajime and the Crazy Cats, "Sūdara-bushi", placed in the Oricon top ten, [ [http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/confidence/43299/ 植木等、クレイジー・キャッツの主なランクイン作品売上データ ニュース-ORICON STYLE-] Oricon ranking page for Ueki Hitoshi and the Crazy Cats Retrieved June 21, 2008] and landed him an appearance on the NHK annual music spectacular Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

Ueki received the Purple Ribbon Medal of Honour in 1993 and the 4th Class Order of the Rising Sun in 1999.

He also served as a narrator in the Japanese version of Tom and Jerry.

ource

This article includes material translated from 植木等 ("Ueki Hitoshi") in the Japanese Wikipedia, retrieved on June 21, 2008.

References