After serving in World War II, he became interested in the theater and helped found the Gekidan Mingei troupe in 1950.

[1] He gained fame for his television work from the 1970s, but he also appeared in many films, especially those of Juzo Itami.

[1] His last film, Anata e, starring Ken Takakura, was released a few months before his death.

He died of lung cancer at his home in Tokyo on 2 October 2012.

[1] He won the award for Best Supporting Actor at the 1st Hochi Film Award for Brother and Sister, Kimi yo fundo no kawa o watare and Fumō Chitai.