Ayako Wakao - Actor Profile

Ayako Wakao

Acting
Freshness: Jan 24, 2026
50Total Films
8.3 Highest Rated
Born: Nov 8, 1933
Birth Place: Tokyo, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan

About Ayako Wakao

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Ayako Wakao (若尾 文子, Wakao Ayako, November 8, 1933 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actress who was one of the country's biggest stars of the 20th century. Wakao began her career contracted to Daiei Studios in 1951 as part of the fifth "New Face" group. She has gone on to appear in over 100 feature films, plus numerous television movies and series. She was a favorite actress of director Yasuzo Masumura, starring in 20 of his films. In addition to her many collaborations with Masumura, she was a favorite of Kon Ichikawa, having starred or co-starred in seven of the director's works. She appeared in Kenji Mizoguchi's A Geisha and Street of Shame. She also appeared in Yasujirō Ozu's Floating Weeds. Description above from the Wikipedia article Ayako Wakao, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Ayako Wakao reveals a career defined by exceptional commercial consistency. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Ayako Wakao's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 74% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Ayako Wakao remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Thousand Cranes, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Ayako Wakao Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Ayako Wakao's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Ayako Wakao.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1987 Princess from the Moon Tayoshime Average Similar →
1975 Kenji Mizoguchi: The Life of a Film Director Self Hit Similar →
1971 Tora-san's Shattered Romance Yūko Hit Similar →
1970 Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo Umeno Hit Similar →
1969 Blood End Otsuta Average Similar →
1969 Thousand Cranes Mrs. Ota Super Hit Similar →
1968 The House of Wooden Blocks - Hit Similar →
1968 The Time of Reckoning - Hit Similar →
1967 The Wife of Seishu Hanaoka Kae Average Similar →
1967 When the Cookie Crumbles - Average Similar →
1967 Two Wives - Hit Similar →
1967 Shroud of Snow Taeko Sayama Hit Similar →
1966 Red Angel Nurse Sakura Nishi Super Hit Similar →
1966 The Freezing Point Natsue Hit Similar →
1966 Irezumi Otsuya Hit Similar →
1965 While Yet a Wife - Hit Similar →
1965 Seisaku's Wife Okane Hit Similar →
1964 Manji Mitsuko Tokumitsu Average Similar →
1964 Shinobi no Mono 4: Siege Yodogimi Average Similar →
1964 Love and Greed Namiko Kawashiro Hit Similar →
1963 Shinobi no Mono 3: Resurrection Yodogimi Hit Similar →
1963 Bamboo Doll of Echizen Tamae Super Hit Similar →
1963 The Third Will Fumino Hamada Super Hit Similar →
1963 An Actor's Revenge Namiji Hit Similar →
1962 Elegant Beast Yukie Mitani, the agent's accountant Hit Similar →
1962 The Great Wall Chiang-nu Average Similar →
1962 Diary of a Mad Old Man Satsuko Hit Similar →
1962 A Night to Remember - Average Similar →
1962 Stolen Pleasure Masuko Hit Similar →
1962 The Temple of Wild Geese Satoko Kirihara Hit Similar →
1961 A Wife Confesses Ayako Takigawa Hit Similar →
1961 The Radiant Prince Aoi no ue Average Similar →
1961 A Geisha's Diary Koen Hit Similar →
1961 Vagabonds from Badgerville Tayori Hit Similar →
1960 The False Student Mutsuko Takagi Hit Similar →
1960 Bonchi Ponta Hit Similar →
1960 Afraid to Die Yoshie Koizumi Average Similar →
1959 Enchanted Princess Princess Kinuta / Okuro Average Similar →
1959 Floating Weeds Kayo Super Hit Similar →
1959 Jirocho Fuji Okiku Hit Similar →
1959 Roses Bloom on a Rose Tree - Super Hit Similar →
1959 The Most Valuable Wife Kyoko Nonomiya Super Hit Similar →
1958 The Loyal 47 Ronin Orin, Carpenter's Daughter Average Similar →
1957 The Blue Sky Maiden Yûko Ono Hit Similar →
1956 Tsukigata Hanpeita Yuri Mamiya Hit Similar →
1956 Bridge of Japan Ochise Hit Similar →
1956 Punishment Room Akiko Aochi Hit Similar →
1956 Street of Shame Yasumi Super Hit Similar →
1955 The Phantom Horse Yuki Shiraishi Average Similar →
1953 A Geisha Eiko Super Hit Similar →

Ayako Wakao - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Ayako Wakao?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Ayako Wakao is "Thousand Cranes" with a rating of 8.3/10.

How many movies has Ayako Wakao acted in?

Ayako Wakao has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Ayako Wakao?

Other notable films include "Roses Bloom on a Rose Tree", "The Third Will", and "Street of Shame".