Yamada, Isuzu (1917–)

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Yamada, Isuzu (1917–)

Japanese stage and screen actress. Born Mitsu Yamada, Feb 5, 1917, in Osaka, Honshu, Japan; dau. of an actor; m. 6 times, including Teinosuke Kinugasa (director); children: Michiko Saga (b. 1934, actress).

At 14, made film debut in Kokushi Muso (1932), followed by Aizo toge, Orizuro Osen (title role), Maria no Oyuki (title role), Chushingura, Joyu, Takekurabe, Nagareru, Samurai Nippon and Giwaku, among others; best known in the West for Hiroshima, Throne of Blood, The Lower Depths and Yojimbo; worked with such directors as Kenji Mizoguchi and Teinosuke Kinugasa.