Actor and Narrator Leo Morimoto Dies at 83
Morimoto's death removes a voice that ran through Japanese television for five decades, from live-action drama to the lead role in one of anime's most scrutinized films and years of narration work.
Reporting from 1 source: Anime News Network.
Leo Morimoto, born Haruyuki Morimoto, died suddenly on September 4 from unknown causes, his agency said. He was 83. Born in Nagoya on February 13, 1943, he worked as a radio DJ before appearing in the 1974 NHK series Kiiroi Namida, and went on to roles across Long Vacation and Shomuni. He starred as Shitotsugh Lhadatt in Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise and narrated Bartender and Dragon Goes House-Hunting.
Morimoto was born in Nagoya on February 13, 1943, and graduated from the Nihon University College of Art before taking a job as a radio station DJ. He appeared in the 1974 NHK series Kiiroi Namida, then built a long run of supporting roles in television drama, including Long Vacation and Shomuni.
Narration carried much of his later career. He voiced the Thomas & Friends show in Japanese for many years, narrated commercials and documentaries, and worked on the 1982 puppet show Records of the Three Kingdoms as Zhuge Liang. In recent years he appeared on the Quiz Presen Variety Q-sama!! quiz program.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
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- Anime News Network News Actor, Narrator Leo Morimoto Dies at 83