Dec 12 (Japan Times) - Prominent Japanese comedian and actor Masao Komatsu, known for the comedy song 'Shirakedori Ondo,' died of liver cancer at a Tokyo hospital on Monday. He was 78.
Komatsu, real name Masaomi Matsuzaki, was born in the southwestern city of Fukuoka. He moved to Tokyo to become an actor after finishing high school.
He became an assistant to Hitoshi Ueki, a member of the popular band and comedy group The Crazy Cats, in 1963. After making his debut in the entertainment industry later, he appeared on the television show “Shabondama Holiday.”