Originally Heikichi Mutō from Tokyo, he completed a law degree at Keio University before turning to acting. His breakthrough came with the portrayal of detective Kosuke Kindaichi in a string of popular 1970s films such as The Inugami Family, Akuma no temari-uta and Queen Bee, establishing him as a leading figure in Japanese cinema. He later appeared in a range of genres, from the period drama The…
