Ken Shimura facts for kids

Ken Shimura (志村 けん, Shimura Ken) (born Yasunori Shimura (志村 康徳, Shimura Yasunori), 20 February 1950 – 29 March 2020) was a very famous Japanese comedian. He was known for his funny characters and shows that made many people laugh. He worked with other comedians like Masashi Tashiro and Nobuyoshi Kuwano on popular TV shows.

One of Shimura's most famous characters was "Bakatono-sama," which means "Foolish Lord." This character was special because he could make fun of powerful people like company bosses or politicians, all while pretending to be a silly old lord from a long time ago. Another popular character was "Henna Oji-san," meaning "Weird Old Man." This character would often play pranks and then sing a funny song that ended with "That is correct. I am Henna Oji-san." He also had a silly catchphrase, "Daffunda!"

Shimura became very well-known for starring in Hachiji Da Yo! Zen'in Shugo! [ja] with a comedy group called The Drifters. He also had a show called Fun TV with Kato-chan and Ken-chan with Cha Kato, who was also a member of The Drifters. Shimura's comedy was partly inspired by the American comedian Jerry Lewis.

Ken Shimura's Career

Shimura became famous in 1974 when he joined the well-known comedy group The Drifters. He learned a lot from the other members about how to act and make people laugh. Soon, he showed a great talent for comedy. Some of his memorable acts from that time include the "mustache dance" with Cha Katō and a song about his hometown, Higashimurayama.

With The Drifters, Shimura was part of the weekly show Hachiji Dayo! Zen'inshugo! from 1974 to 1985. This show was incredibly popular, with 40% to 50% of TV viewers watching it at its peak! Starting in 1977, he also appeared in Dorifu Daibakusho, which featured special comedy sketches.

Shimura and Cha Katō worked very well together. In 1986, they created their own show called Kato-chan Ken-chan Gokigen Terebi, which ran until 1992. In one part of the show called The Detective Story, they played two detective friends who always got into funny trouble. The show was so popular that it could afford big scenes with exploding cars and helicopters! A famous moment from this show was Shimura playing a monk who would ask people to repeat "Daijoubuda," which means "I'm all right."

The "Bakatono-sama" character, which was created during the Hachiji Dayo! Zen'inshugo! days, became so popular that it got its own show. This program aired about three times a year starting in 1986. In it, Shimura played a feudal lord who didn't want to rule but just wanted to have fun. The character was known for his all-white face, thick eyebrows, and hair tied up on his head. Many celebrities would appear on the show.

His show, Ken Shimura Daijoubuda, which made fun of modern Japanese society, was on air from 1987 to 1993.

After Daijoubuda

After his big hit shows, Shimura continued to lead many other programs, mostly on the Fuji TV network. From 1996, he started working with newer comedians like Yuuka. Shimura was known for helping other comedians and celebrities in their careers.

Here are some of the shows he was part of:

• 1993–1995: Shimura Ken wa Ikagadeshou ("How about a Ken Shimura")
• 1995–1996: Shimura Ken no Ore ga Nani Shitano yo ("Ken Shimura's What the Hell Did I do?")
• 1996–1997: Shimura X
• 1997–1998: Shimura XYZ
• 1998–2000: Shimura X-Tengoku ("Shimura Paradise X")
• 2000–2002: Henna Ojisan TV ("Strange Uncle's TV")
• 2002–2004: Shimura Ryuu ("Shimura's Style")
• 2004: Shimura Juku ("Shimura's Class")
• 2004–2005: Shimura Tsuu ("Shimura, a tasteful person")
• 2005–2008: Shimura Ken no Daijoubuda II ("Ken Shimura's I'm All Right II")
• 2004–2020: Tensai! Shimura Dōbutsuen ("Genius! Shimura Zoo") – This show was very popular and featured Shimura interacting with animals, including a chimpanzee named Pankun.
• 2008–2020: Shimura Ya Desu ("It's Shimura's Store")

In 2001, Shimura also formed a singing duo with Naoko Ken called "Ken♀♂Ken." In 2006, he started his own comedy theater group called Shimurakon, which means "Shimura Spirit."

Tensai! Shimura Dōbutsuen continued to air for a short time after Shimura's death, showing memories of his time with the animals. However, in July 2020, it was decided that the show would end in September. This was because it was too sad and difficult to continue filming in a place filled with memories of Shimura.

Illness and Death

Ken Shimura became sick and was taken to the hospital on March 20, 2020, because he had severe pneumonia. The next day, he lost consciousness and needed a machine to help him breathe. On March 23, it was confirmed that he had COVID-19. He was the first famous Japanese person whose COVID-19 diagnosis was made public during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.

On March 24, Shimura was moved to another hospital where he could get special treatment called ECMO. He was supposed to star in a movie called It's a Flickering Life [ja], but his part was canceled on March 26. He was also chosen to carry the Olympic torch in Tokyo for the 2020 Tokyo games.

Sadly, Ken Shimura passed away on March 29, 2020, at a hospital in Shinjuku, Tokyo. He was 70 years old.

Filmography

• Poppoya (1999), Hajime Yoshioka
• The Lorax (2012), The Lorax (Japanese dub voice)
• Yo-kai Watch: The Movie (2014), Master Nyada (voice)
• Yell (2020, TV series), Kōzō Oyamada

Discography

As featured artist

See also

In Spanish: Ken Shimura para niños

• Statue of Ken Shimura