It's been reported that actor Watari Tetsuya has passed away on August 10th at 6:30 pm at a hospital in Tokyo due to pneumonia. He was 78 years old. 

This announcement was made on August 14th by Ishihara Promotion. Watari wished to be "sent off quietly," so his funeral was held with just his family on the 14th. He wished not to have a memorial event either. 

Born on December 28, 1941 on Hyogo's Awaji Island, Watari joined entertainment company Nikkatsu in 1964, then made his debut in 'Abare Kishi Michi' the following year. He made his break after starring in works such as 'Tokyo Nagaremono' and 'Burai.' 

In 1971, he joined Ishihara Promotion launched by Ishihara Yujiro. He was vice president, and eventually became the president after Ishihara passed away. In 1976, he won Best Actor of Blue Ribbon Award for his role in the film 'Yakuza no Hakaba: Kuchinashi no Hana.' He is best known for his role in the 'Seibu Keisatsu' drama series.

Watari won the Purple Ribbon Award in 2005 as well as the Order of the Rising Sun (4th Class, Gold Rays with Rosette) in 2013. In recent years, he starred in the special drama 'Kikyo' and 'Nishimura Kyoto Suspense Totsugawa Keibu Series.'

Our sincere condolences go out to his loved ones at this time.

Source & Image: Eiga natalie