Takeshi Kitano's academic pursuits initially led him to enroll in an engineering program, but his rebellious behavior ultimately resulted in his expulsion from school. Undeterred, he decided to redirect his energies towards developing his skills in comedy, singing, and dancing under the guidance of renowned comedian Senzaburô Fukami.
Kitano's early career saw him working as a lift boy at a nightclub that featured a unique blend of comic sketches and striptease dancing. When a comedian suddenly fell ill, Kitano seized the opportunity to take the stage, marking the beginning of his journey as a comedian.
With the help of a friend, Kitano formed the popular comic duo "The Two Beat," which gained widespread recognition on Japanese television. The artist name "Beat Takeshi" originated from this period, and it would go on to become synonymous with his artistic identity.
As his popularity grew, Kitano transitioned into an acting career, and his directorial debut came about when he took over the reins of the film "Violent Cop" (1989) after the original director fell ill. The success of this film led to his involvement in another gangster movie, "Boiling Point" (1990),which he completed shortly after.
Kitano's subsequent film, "Getting Any?" (1994),was followed by a devastating motorcycle accident that nearly took his life. This life-altering experience had a profound impact on his artistic perspective, and he began to focus more on the aesthetic aspects of filmmaking.
The influence of this transformation can be seen in his later films, such as "Fireworks" (1997) and "Kikujiro" (1999),which showcased his newfound emphasis on visual storytelling. Throughout his career, Kitano has continued to evolve as an artist, blending his talents as a comedian, actor, director, and painter to create a unique and captivating body of work.
