Nakao Akira was a Japanese actor, TV personality, and artist from Kisarazu, Chiba. Nakao was represented by the Furutachi Project agency. Nakao attended Chiba Prefectural Kisarazu High School from 1958 and entered Musashino Art University from 1961. Also in 1961, he was selected in the "5th Nikkatsu New Face" talent competition. In 1963, he left Musashino Art University to study in Paris, France. On returning to Japan in 1964, he enrolled in the Mingei theatre company, where he studied under Uno Jukichi. In 1971, he left the Mingei theatre group to work as a freelance actor. In 1978, he married actress Ikenami Shino, the daughter of rakugo comedian Basho Kingentei Basho. They received the "Nice Couple Award" in 2008. In 1988, he started studying ceramics under Kosugi Masaaki in Karatsu, Saga. In 2015, Nakao won the award for the best supporting actor of Tokyo Sports Film Award for his role in Ryuzo and the Seven Henchmen. Nakao had appeared in jidaigeki (period dramas) and contemporary dramas on television and film, as well as variety shows. Fans of Abarenbo Shogun immediately recognize him as the scheming Tokugawa Muneharu, the arch-rival of the eighth shogun Yoshimune. He played the role for twenty years. Film appearances include five episodes in the series Gokudo no Onnatachi and six Godzilla movies. He also acted in the 1992 Juzo Itami film Minbo: the Gentle Art of Japanese Extortion. He died due to heart failure on May 16, 2024 at the age of 81. (Source: Wikipedia) Watch drama online for free.