Japanese actor Sonny Chiba passes away at the age of 82!

The Kill Bill star Sonny Chiba aka Shinichi "Sonny" Chiba, born Sadaho Maeda on January 22, 1939 in Fukuoka, Japan, died on Thursday of COVID complications at the age of 82. His agency and management confirmed his death to Variety, adding that he died in hospital after being hospitalized on August 8 for pneumonia induced by COVID.

 

The popular actor and martial artist is probably most known to viewers for his roles in "Kill Bill Volume 1" and "The Fast and the Furious Tokyo Drift." Over the course of his five-decade career, he has received over 200 acting credits. Fascinatingly, as a martial artist, Chiba holds black belts in the following disciplines: Fourth Dan in Kyokushin Karate and Ninjutsu, Second Dan in Goju-ryu karate, Shorinji Kempo and Judo, and First Dan in Kendo.