Kenji Utsumi

Biography

Kenji Utsumi (内海 賢二, Utsumi Kenji), born on August 26, 1937, in Kitakyushu, was a distinguished Japanese actor and voice actor who left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry until his passing on June 13, 2013. He was the founder of Ken Production, a talent agency that showcased his remarkable career.

Utsumi gained widespread recognition for his diverse roles in various beloved anime series. He portrayed iconic characters such as Sally's Papa in *Sally the Witch* (1966), Raoh and Kaioh in *Fist of the North Star*, and Senbei Norimaki in *Dr. Slump Arale-chan*. His contributions to the *Dragon Ball* franchise are particularly notable, where he voiced Shenlong, Commander Red, Reacoom, and served as the announcer for the Tenkaichi Budōkai. Additionally, he lent his voice to Alex Louis Armstrong in *Fullmetal Alchemist* and Coach Kamogawa in *Hajime no Ippo*.

Beyond anime, Utsumi was also recognized for his dubbing talents, providing the Japanese voice for renowned actors such as Carl Weathers, Steve McQueen, and Jack Nicholson in their respective films. In acknowledgment of his exceptional contributions to the field, he was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the third Seiyu Awards, solidifying his legacy in the world of voice acting.