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Shintarō Katsu (勝新太郎, Katsu Shintarō; November 29, 1931 – June 21, 1997; nicknamed "Katsu-shin") was a Japanese actor.
Katsu was the son of a nagauta performer, husband of actress Tamao Nakamura, younger brother of actor Tomisaburō Wakayama, and father of actor Gan Ryūtarō.
His most famous work was the Zatoichi series of films and television programs, which were very popular in the 60s and 70s. He developed a reputation for being difficult on set, however. When director Akira Kurosawa cast him for the lead role in Kagemusha (1980), Katsu left before the first day of shooting was over (either fired, or of his own accord – stories differ).
He died of throat cancer.
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