[KineJapan] Shimura Ken

[Gerow Aaron]

NHK reports that the comedian Shimura Ken, veteran of the Drifters and many hit TV shows, has died of COVID-19. Shimura started out as an assistant (tsukibito) to the Drifters, a comedy group that was a star of film and TV, before becoming a member when Arai Chu left. He became one of the key members at the time when the Drifter’s “8-da yo! Zen’in shugo” ruled the airwaves with phenomenal ratings. Shimura went to star in dozens of hit comedy shows, creating many famous gags, gestures, and characters (such as Baka-tonosama). He was still starring in hit shows up until he was hospitalized. He was set to have his first starring role in a film, directed by Yamada Yoji, when he was diagnosed with COVID-19.

Pretty much everyone under the age of fifty in Japan grew up watching Shimura, so this is huge news, especially as Japan begins to think seriously about the coronavirus.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20200330/k10012357011000.html


Aaron Gerow
Professor
Film and Media Studies Program/East Asian Languages and Literatures
Chair, East Asian Languages and Literatures
Yale University
143 Elm Street, Room 210
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Phone: 1-203-432-7082
Fax: 1-203-432-6729
e-mail: aaron.gerow at yale.edu <mailto:aaron.gerow at yale.edu>
website: www.aarongerow.com


















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