Masaya Oki

Masaya Oki (沖 雅也, Oki Masaya, 12 June 1952 – 28 June 1983) was a Japanese actor and singer who appeared in many films and television series.

Masaya Oki
Born	Jōji Kusunoki (1952-06-12)12 June 1952 Beppu, Ōita, Japan
Died	28 June 1983(1983-06-28) (aged 31) Keio Plaza Hotel, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1968–1983

Life

He was born in Beppu, Ōita, as Jōji Kusunoki (楠 城児, Kusunoki Jōji). Because of his parents' divorce, he left his home and went to Tokyo. In the same year, he debuted as a film actor at the Nikkatsu studio. In 1969, he won Elan d'or Awards.[1] Oki was playing lead role in Toshiya Fujita's film " Wet Sand in August" but was forced to drop off in a motorcycle accident while shooting.[2]

He gradually won popularity through his roles in television dramas such as Hissatsu series and Taiyo ni Hoero!.[3] In 1979, Oki played lead role in Oretachi wa Tenshi da! on NTV and won new popularity.[4]

In 1975, he became an adopted child of his talent agency president, Tadao Hikage.

Oki was one of the most influential candidates for Capt. Yonoi`s role in Nagisa Oshima`s film in Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence but he had to stepp down because of his illness.[5]

He ended his life by leaping from the top of a 47-storey building, the Keio Plaza Hotel.[6] He suffered from bipolar disorder. His suicide note for Hikage was "Dad, I'm waiting in Nirvana." (おやじ、涅槃でまってる., Oyaji, nehan de matteru.)[7]

Films

• Yakuzano Yokogao (1970)
• Kirikomi (1970)
• Shinjuku outlaw: Step On the Gas (1970) as Rikiya
• Kantō Exile (1971)
• A Man′s World (1971) as Osamu Ogata
• Za Gokiburi (1973)
• The War in Space (1977) as Reisuke Muroi
• Rhyme of Vengeance (1978) as Rentarō Tamon
• Hi no Tori (The Phoenix)) (1978) as Uraji
• Blue Christmas (1978) as Harada
• Koto (also known as Koto, the Ancient City) (1980) as Ryusuke Mizuki

Television

• Key Hunter (From episode210)
• Hissatsu series
  • Hissatsu Shiokinin (1973) as Kanoke no Joe
  • Hissatsu Shiokiya Kagyō (1975) as Ichimatsu
  • Hissatsu Karakurinin Fugakuhiyakkei Koroshitabi (1978) as Tōjūrō
• Taiyō ni Hoero! ("Scotch") (1976–77) (1980-1982) as Taki Ryūichi
• Daitsuiseki (1978) as Yabuki Shirō
• Oretachi wa Tenshi da! (1979) as Asō Masato
• Shin Edo no Kaze (1980-1981) as Tachibana Seiichirō
• Edo no Asayake (1981)
• Ōoku (1984)

References

1. Oki Masaya to Daitsuiseki p.29
2. 沖雅也と「大追跡」 70年代が生んだアクションの寵児』　かわだわか 2008 ワイズ出版ISBN 978-4898302316 P.10-12
3. Oki masaya to Daitsuiseki p27-29
4. 沖雅也in太陽にほえろ!　p.100-101 ISBN 978-4820383581
5. "創刊60年の騒然男女」芸能スキャンダルの真相！". Asahi. Retrieved 2019-03-07.
6. "Oki Masaya". Kotobanku. Asahi Shinbun. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
7. Yomiuri shinbun 　1983 June28 evening p.1

External links

Masaya Oki on IMDb