Kirino Nadao

Japanese name

桐野洋雄

Born

23 Nov 1932

Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan

Bio

Born in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Kirino Nadao made his screen debut in the 1953 film A Japanese Tragedy. He became a fixture at Toho studios, regularly appearing in salaryman comedies (including the Crazy Cats series) and special effects films.

Often cast as gangsters, flunkies, or military personnel, he is perhaps best remembered by sci-fi fans for his role as an astronaut battling gravity in Battle in Outer Space (1959). His other genre credits include King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962), Dogora (1964), and Destroy All Monsters (1968).

Kirino retired from acting in 1970 as the studio’s contract system began to collapse. His subsequent activities are unknown.

Selected Works