Kill Bill Star, Sonny Chiba, Dies Aged 82
by Jonathan Khare | Fri, 20 Aug 2021 09:55:56 GMT
Image Source: Sportskeeda, Decider, News Dome

In a time when Asian actors such as Priyanka Chopra, Steven Yeun, and Awkwafina, among others are being welcomed into the Hollywood fold, America’s film industry has lost a star that who paved the way for today’s Asian talents to make their mark. Kill Bill star, Soni Chiba died, aged 82, with the cause of death, said to be Covid related. The actor is best known for his role in Quinton Tarantino’s Kill Bill: Vol. 1 in 2003.  

The martial arts master essayed the role of prolific sushi chef/master swordsman in the first cinematic outing of the cult classic trilogy, a role he is said to be cast in as a result of his popularity post being namechecked in True Romance, an early 90’s thriller, directed by Toni Scott and written by Quinton Tarantino. Chiba’s popularity in his home country, Japan, is uncontested, with the martial artists having appeared in over 100 Japanese films. Well-known for doing his own stunts, the actor’s most popular Japanese films include the Street Fighter Trilogy, Bullet Train, and Champion of Death.  

Chiba in 2003's cult classic, Kill Bill: Vol ! (Image Source: Isa Harsin/Sipa/Rex/Shutterstock)

The actor died in a hospital in Tokyo on Thursday, as reported by his office, Astraia, the same reports suggest, the actor hadn't been vaccinated. Twitter was soon flooded with tributes to the late actor, many by contemporaries in the US and Japan, and by the martial artist’s many fans. Lewis Tan tweeted: “A true action legend. Your films are eternal and your energy and inspiration. #SonnyChiba #RIP.” Fans filled Twitter with iconic images and movie clips of the late actor.  

The popular Japanese comedian, Tsutomu Sekine, well-known in Japan for imitating Chiba’s martial arts style, said in a statement to Kyodo news agency: “It was an honor to impersonate Mr. Chiba and to be recognized by him personally,” also adding that he had been a long-time fan of Chiba’s many movies and TV shows. Chiba began his acting career in Japan in the ’60s and by the time he was cast in Tarantino’s Kill Bill: Vol. 1 in 2003, he was already a household name in Japan. Apart from acting, Chiba has also been a stunt director and arranger and was also a title-winning gymnast in his teens. The late actor is the father to three children, Mackenyu Arata, Juri Manase, Gordon Maeda, all of whom are actors.   

While the actor is best known among Western audiences for his role in Kill Bill: Vol. 1, he also starred in 2006’s The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, wherein he played a Yakuza boss. Tributes to the late actor on Twitter make it clear, that he had avid fans all around the world, and his martial arts talents had truly transcended international boundaries, making him a global star. Chiba stood out for performing dangerous stunts, wowing action movie fans around the world. Chiba’s legacy also includes Japan Action Club, an organization promoting Japanese acting talent, of which he is the founder.  

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