He began his career as a stage actor, then became an announcer for NHK, working in Manchukuo.

He became famous in films first for comedy roles, appearing in series such as the "Company President" (Shacho) and "Station Front" (Ekimae) series, produced by Toho.

He was also famous on stage playing Tevye in the Japanese version of Fiddler on the Roof.

Among many honors, Morishige received the Order of Culture from the Emperor of Japan in 1991.

Hisaya Morishige died of natural causes at a hospital in Tokyo on November 10, 2009, at the age of 96.