Tanie Kitabayashi - Actor Profile

Tanie Kitabayashi

Acting
Freshness: Jan 20, 2026
50Total Films
8.4 Highest Rated
Born: May 21, 1911
Birth Place: Tokyo, Japan

About Tanie Kitabayashi

Tanie Kitabayashi (北林谷栄, Kitabayashi Tanie, May 21, 1911 – April 27, 2010) was a Japanese actress and voice actress. Born Reiko Ando in Tokyo, she began as a stage actress. Early in her career, she became well known for portraying older women. Kitabayashi was a founding member of the famed Mingei Theatre, founded in 1950. In 1960, she won best actress awards at the 10th Blue Ribbon Awards and at the Mainichi Film Awards for Kiku to Isamu. She also won the Japan Academy Prize for best actress in Rainbow Kids (1991), a film that also earned her honors from the Mainichi Film Awards and from Kinema Junpo. She died on April 27, 2010, of pneumonia at a Tokyo hospital. She was 98.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Tanie Kitabayashi reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Tanie Kitabayashi'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 68% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Tanie Kitabayashi remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Letter from the Mountain, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Tanie Kitabayashi Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Tanie Kitabayashi's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Tanie Kitabayashi.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2002 Letter from the Mountain Oume Super Hit Similar →
1991 Rainbow Kids Mrs. Toshiko 'Toji' Yanagawa Average Similar →
1989 Rikyu Mother Super Hit Similar →
1988 My Neighbor Totoro Granny (voice) Super Hit Similar →
1983 Tora-san's Song of Love - Super Hit Similar →
1983 Amagi Pass Tea house's old woman Average Similar →
1982 Suspicion Harue Shirakawa Hit Similar →
1981 Station Masayo Mikami Average Similar →
1980 Writhing Tongue Akira's mother Average Similar →
1979 Nomugi Pass - Average Similar →
1978 The Incident Kane Shinozaki Average Similar →
1977 Proof of the Man - Super Hit Similar →
1970 Terror in the Streets Shino Super Hit Similar →
1969 Heat Wave Island - Average Similar →
1969 Thousand Cranes Toyo Super Hit Similar →
1968 The Sands of Kurobe - Hit Similar →
1967 The Greatest Challenge of All - Hit Similar →
1967 Song of Love Orin Hit Similar →
1966 Wrath of Daimajin Old Woman Kane Average Similar →
1965 A Chain of Islands Kikuko Sasaki Average Similar →
1965 Tale of Japanese Burglars Hayashida's mother Hit Similar →
1964 Gazing at Love and Death - Hit Similar →
1964 Intentions of Murder Kinu Takahashi Hit Similar →
1964 A Story from Echigo - Hit Similar →
1964 Only on Mondays Yuka's mother Average Similar →
1963 The Insect Woman Madam Hit Similar →
1963 The Third Will Kimie Super Hit Similar →
1963 Bad Girl - Super Hit Similar →
1963 All My Children Fusakichi's mother Hit Similar →
1962 Foundry Town Ume Super Hit Similar →
1960 The Sun's Burial Chika Average Similar →
1960 Bonchi - Hit Similar →
1959 Odd Obsession Hana Average Similar →
1958 Conflagration Aki, Goichi's mother Hit Similar →
1958 Stakeout - Hit Similar →
1957 But the Flesh is Weak Doctor Average Similar →
1957 Hole in One Suga Akabane Average Similar →
1956 Summer Storm Mitsu Asai Hit Similar →
1956 Our Town Otaka Hit Similar →
1956 Darkness at Noon Satoe Miyazaki Hit Similar →
1956 Love is Lost Nobuyo Hit Similar →
1956 The Burmese Harp - Super Hit Similar →
1955 A Hole of My Own Making - Average Similar →
1955 The Heart Hioki's mother Hit Similar →
1955 The Wolves - Hit Similar →
1955 The Maid's Kid - Hit Similar →
1953 Miniature - Super Hit Similar →
1952 Children of Hiroshima Otoyo Hit Similar →
1950 Scandal Yasu Hiruta Hit Similar →
1937 Learn from Experience, Part Two - Average Similar →

Tanie Kitabayashi - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Tanie Kitabayashi?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Tanie Kitabayashi is "Letter from the Mountain" with a rating of 8.4/10.

How many movies has Tanie Kitabayashi acted in?

Tanie Kitabayashi has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Tanie Kitabayashi?

Other notable films include "Thousand Cranes", "My Neighbor Totoro", and "Miniature".