The renowned Japanese action star died of complications from COVID-19.
His manager, Timothy Beal, confirmed the news to EW.
Chiba was a gifted athlete in high school and college.
Sonny Chiba in ‘Kill Bill: Vol. 1’.Andrew Cooper/Miramax
His study would continue after that, leading to his fourth-degree black belt in 1984.
Chiba’s first screen roles were on the TV showsSeven Color MaskandMessenger of Allah.
American audiences might also recognize Chiba from a cameo inThe Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.
Chiba was working right up until the end of his life.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, he had been set to star in a film titledOutbreak ZalongsideJesse VenturaandWesley Snipes.
He will make his posthumous final film appearance inBond of Justice: Kizuna.
