**Takeshi Kato** (加藤 武, 1929-2015) was a prolific Japanese actor, celebrated for his long and distinguished film career. He is particularly known for his collaborations with great directors.

Among his most iconic roles is that of the elder counsellor Kageyu in Akira Kurosawa's majestic epic, *Ran* (1985), a performance that solidified his international stature. Kato also left his mark in other Japanese cinema classics, often portraying authoritarian, noble, or at times ambiguous figures. Examples include Hideo Gosha's *Goyokin* (1969) and Kihachi Okamoto's *Sword of Doom* (1966), in addition to a recurring presence in the popular *Zatoichi* series.

His acting style was characterized by an imposing presence, an intrinsic gravitas, and a measured yet intense performance, which made him perfect for roles of power, wisdom, or profound moral complexity.