Tatsuya Nakadai (born in 1932) is a prolific Japanese actor, renowned for his long and intense cinematic career. A true icon of Japanese cinema, he was a favorite of Akira Kurosawa and Masaki Kobayashi.

With Kurosawa, he portrayed memorable roles, often charismatic antagonists in *Yojimbo* and *Sanjuro*, before emerging as a tragic protagonist in epic masterpieces like *Kagemusha* and *Ran*. With Kobayashi, he shone in powerful historical dramas such as *Harakiri* and *Samurai Rebellion*, embodying figures of upright yet tormented samurai.

His style is characterized by an imposing screen presence, intense expressiveness, and the ability to bring complex characters to life, often morally ambiguous or profoundly dignified. His versatility and charisma made him one of the most respected and influential actors of his time.