Yahoo! News Japan reported that former pro wrestler turned actor Strong Kobayashi has passed away. He was 81 years old.
He passed away last December 31, 2021 at 7:21am JST in a hospital in Oume City in Tokyo, Japan due to lung disease. He was surrounded with his family when this happened.
Strong Kobayashi with former WWE (then WWWF) wrestling promoter Vince McMahon Sr.
Born Shozo Kobayashi, he made his pro wrestling debut under the name Masked Taro back in July 27, 1967, making him the first masked wrestler in Japan. After he unmasked, he went under the name Strong Kobayashi and had a rivalry with Antonio Inoki. He wrestled in multiple territories such as the IWA, AWA, NJPW and WWE (then known as WWWF) At the fall of 1981, his back pain got worse, and entered a long hiatus before announcing his retirement in August 26, 1984.
Afterwards, he became an actor and went under the screen name, Strong Kongo and appeared various films, dramas, and variety shows, most notable in Choudenshi Bioman as Monster and in Takeshi's Castle as one of the villains chasing the participants. He then retired from the entertainment industry in January 1995 and lived in his home in Oume City. From all of us here, thank you for the memories.
Afterwards, he became an actor and went under the screen name, Strong Kongo and appeared various films, dramas, and variety shows, most notable in Choudenshi Bioman as Monster and in Takeshi's Castle as one of the villains chasing the participants. He then retired from the entertainment industry in January 1995 and lived in his home in Oume City. From all of us here, thank you for the memories.
RSS Feed