Masaya Oki
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He was born in Beppu, Ōita, as Jōji Kusunoki (楠 城児, Kusunoki Jōji). Because of his parents' divorce, he left his home and went to Tokyo. In the same year, he debuted as a film actor at the Nikkatsu studio. In 1969, he received the Elan d'or Award for Newcomer of the Year.[1] Oki was playing lead role in Toshiya Fujita's film " Wet Sand in August" but was forced to drop off in a motorcycle accident while shooting.[2]
He gradually won popularity through his roles in television dramas such as Hissatsu series and Taiyo ni Hoero!.[3] In 1979, Oki played lead role in Oretachi wa Tenshi da! on NTV and won new popularity.[4][5]
In 1975, he became an adopted child of his talent agency president, Tadao Hikage.
Oki was one of the most influential candidates for the role of Capt. Yonoi in Nagisa Oshima's film in Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, but he had to step down because of his illness.[6]
He ended his life by leaping from the top of a 47-story building, the Keio Plaza Hotel.[7] He suffered from bipolar disorder. His suicide note for Hikage was "Dad, I'm waiting in Nirvana." (おやじ、涅槃でまってる, Oyaji, nehan de matteru.)[8]
Films
- Arushojonokukuhaku Junketsu (1968)
- Zenka Karishakuho (1969)
- Zenka Dosuarashi (1969)
- Hanahiraku Musumetachi (1969)
- Yakuzano Yokogao (1970)
- Kirikomi (1970)
- Earth Ninja Chronicles: Duel in the Wind (1970)
- Shinjuku outlaw: Step On the Gas (1970) as Rikiya
- Kantō Exile (1971)
- A Man′s World (1971) as Osamu Ogata
- Za Gokiburi (1973)
- The War in Space (1977) as Reisuke Muroi
- Queen Bee (1978) as Rentarō Tamon
- Kitamura Toya Wagafuyunouta (1978) as Ishizaka Kozen
- Hi no Tori (The Phoenix) (1978) as Uraji
- Blue Christmas (1978) as Harada
- Toward the Terra (1980)
- Koto (also known as Koto, the Ancient City) (1980) as Ryusuke Mizuki
