, known professionally as , is a Japanese actress who specializes in voice acting.
She is currently affiliated with Office Kaoru and her husband was Japanese actor .
She is best known for being the original voice of the character Wakame Isono in the Fuji TV television anime series Sazae-san.
Biography Yamamoto was born in Tokyo Prefecture, Japan on October 16, 1936.
She graduated from the Nihon University College of Art."Japanese Talent Directory (1980 Edition)" (in Japanese). VIP Times. 1979. p. 384."Interview with Popular Voice Actress Yoshiko Yamamoto" in "Screen" (in Japanese). July 1980 issue. Kindai Eiga-sha. July 1980. pp. 177–178.
While she was in university, she joined the TBS Broadcasting Drama Troupe as a 6th-term member in March 1958,Bii Ogawa. "The Discerning Voice Actor Encyclopedia '97" (in Japanese). Tokuma Shoten (Romance Album). March 10, 1997. p. 152. ."Entertainment TV News". "Entertainment Pictorial" (in Japanese). January issue. Sun Publishing. January 1959. with her classmates including Takako Sasuga and Sumiko Shirakawa."★Nomination for the ‘Provisional Contract’ Theater Troupe" Radio Tokyo Company Newsletter No. 68 (in Japanese). Before she had joined, she was a part of the Sanno Theater Company.
Yamamoto has been affiliated with Seinen Kobo,"List of Performers (1961 Edition)" (in Japanese). Copyright Materials Association. 1961. p. 390. Nakagawa Pro, Tsuchi no Kai,"List of Performers (1966 Edition)" (in Japanese). Copyright Materials Association. 1965, p. 389. Akasaka Production,"List of Performers (1968 Edition)" (in Japanese). Copyright Materials Association. 1967. p. 405. Mausu Promotion, and Sun Ace Kikaku, with her current affiliation being with Office Kaoru.
As of 2024, following the deaths of Ichirō Nagai (Namihei Isono) in 2014,Ranma 1/2's Happōsai Voice Actor Ichirô Nagai Passes Away. Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website. (January 27, 2014). Miyoko Asō (Fune Isono) in 2018,Voice Actress Miyoko Asou Passes Away. Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website. (September 3, 2018). Shinsuke Chikaishi (Masuo Fuguta) in 2022,Sazae-san Voice Actor Shinsuke Chikaishi Passes Away. Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website. (October 9, 2022). Takako Sasuga (Tarao Fuguta) in 2023,Sazae-san, Danganronpa Voice Actress Takako Sasuga Passes Away. Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website. (February 10, 2023). and Nobuyo Ōyama (Katsuo Isono) in 2024,Doraemon, Danganronpa Voice Actress Nobuyo Ōyama Dies at 90. Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website. (October 11, 2024). she and Midori Katō (Sazae Fuguta) are the last surviving original cast members of the Sazae-san anime series.
Personality Her vocal range is alto.
Her personal hobby is pottery. She is fluent in speaking French and obtained a certification in Braille.
Yamamoto frequently portrayed roles that required her to "dub naturally" and would portray characters who acted in a straightforward manner. She has also portrayed characters driven into tragic situations.
In October 1958, she was selected to portray Nami Katagiri, the heroine of the National Arts Festival-participating television drama Mammoth Tower. Director Hajime Ishikawa initially planned to cast a theater actress, but noticed Yamamoto's performance in the television drama O Sage Shachō and decided to cast her, feeling that her naturally bright and straightforward demeanor perfectly suited the role."Weekly Topic: Newcomers in the Media and Show Business". "Weekly Entertainment Yomiuri" (in Japanese). November 21, 1958. Yomiuri Shimbun. November 21, 1955. p. 12. In preparation, she learned horseback riding at Seifukai in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture, and Western dancing from Dan Yada.
She stepped down from the role of Wakame Isono on Sazae-san after the March 28, 1976 broadcast.29年間... 2代目「ワカメちゃん」野村道子さん勇退 (in Japanese). "Sankei Sports". Sankei Shimbun, March 12, 2005. Archived from the original on March 13, 2005. While her official reason for leaving was claimed to have been because of "health issues", Michiko Nomura, her successor from 1976 to 2005, revealed that Yamamoto stepped down because she had gone to France, which prompted the production staff to hold auditions to find a new voice."Dream Theater vol. 061" (in Japanese). Guest: Voice Actress Michiko Nomura. May 26, 2012. FM Tokyo.
Yamamoto has revealed that she is a mother of a few children, and that whenever she would go to PTA meetings in 1975, the other mothers present there would ask her to "do Wakame-chan", much to her embarrassment."We, the Sazae Family" (in Japanese). Yomiuri Shimbun. (July 27, 1975).
Filmography Television anime Jungle Emperor Leo (1965): Maryジャングル大帝 (in Japanese). Osamu Tezuka Official Website.Kimba the White Lion (TV 1/1965). Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website.ジャングル大帝 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Harris no Kaze (1966): Abou Ishidaハリスの旋風 (in Japanese). Media Arts Database. Archived from the original on October 20, 2018.ハリスの旋風 (かぜ) (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Animal 1 (1968): Rokurō AzumaAnimal 1 (TV). Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website.アニマル１ (ワン) (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Sabu to Ichi Torimono Hikae (1968): Tarokichi Marine Boy (1969): Young John, Pit Boy Sazae-san (1969–present): Wakame Isono (first voice)「ワカメちゃん」の声優が4月3日放送分から津村まことに変更、1976年から担当した2代目：野村道子から、29年ぶりのバトンタッチとなる!! (in Japanese). "Kochira Fuji TV" (Fuji TV). March 31, 2005. Archived from the original on December 11, 2005.Sazae-san (TV). Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website.サザエさん【1960～70年代】 (in Japanese). allcinema.net.サザエさん (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Moomin (1969): Too-TickyMoomin (TV). Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website.ムーミン (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Ninpu Kamui Gaiden (1969): Genta忍風カムイ外伝 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. The Adventures of Hutch the Honeybee (1970): Aya昆虫物語 みなしごハッチ (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Akakichi no Eleven (1970): Mamoru Asuka (Ryouko's brother)Akakichi no Eleven (TV). Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website. Ashita no Joe (1970): Boy (episode 66)Ashita no Joe (TV). Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website. Andersen Monogatari (1971): Tin soldier (episode 4), Mouse (episode 6), Ketty (episodes 42–43)Andersen Monogatari (TV). Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website. Kunimatsu-sama no Otōridai (1971): ĀbōKunimatsu-sama no Otōridai (TV). Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website. Shin Obake no Q-Tarō (1971): Doronpa新オバケのＱ太郎 (in Japanese). TMS Entertainment. TMS Entertainment Official Website.新オバケのＱ太郎 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Nozomi in the Sun (1971): Additional voiceNozomi in the Sun (TV). Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website. Golgo 13 (1971): Additional voiceゴルゴ13 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Marvelous Melmo (1971): Biriken (episode 9), Tadao (episode 13)Marvelous Melmo (TV). Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website. Tensai Bakabon (1971): Additional voice Onbu Obake隆一まんが劇場 おんぶおばけ (in Japanese). (1972): OjōOnbu Obake (TV). Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website. Kashi no Ki Mokku (1972): Baby Crow, Mario Shin Moomin (1972): Too-TickyNew Moomin (TV). Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website.ムーミン[72年版] (in Japanese). allcinema.net. The Gutsy Frog (1972): Additional voiceThe Gutsy Frog (TV). Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website. Karate Master (1973): Maid (episode 7), Katherine (episodes 23–25), Somvan (episodes 34–35)Karate Master (TV). Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website. Demetan Croaker, The Boy Frog (1973): Chiro, Awa-ko, Lily, Baby Bird, Additional voiceThe Brave Frog (TV). Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website. Kōya no Shōnen Isamu (1973): Additional voiceKōya no Shōnen Isamu (TV). Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website. Jungle Kurobe (1973): Gakku (second voice)ジャングル黒べえ (in Japanese). TMS Entertainment. TMS Entertainment Official Website.Jungle Kurobe (TV). Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website.ジャングル黒べえ (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Miracle Girl Limit-chan (1973): Tomoo Asamiミラクル少女リミットちゃん (in Japanese). Toei Animation. Toei Animation Official Website.ミラクル少女 リミットちゃん (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Little Wansa (1973): Chibikuro,ワンサくん (in Japanese). Osamu Tezuka Official Website. Ichiro, Roro's OwnerWansa-kun (TV). Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website.ワンサくん (in Japanese). allcinema.net. The Song of Tentomushi (1974): Mizuo Isshū (first voice)Tentō Mushi no Uta (TV). Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website.てんとう虫の歌 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Time Bokan (1975): Mikerobo, Additional voiceTime Bokan (TV). Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website. Nobody's Boy: Remi (1977): Arthur家なき子 (in Japanese). TMS Entertainment. TMS Entertainment Official Website.Nobody's Boy Remi (TV). Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website.立体アニメーション 家なき子 (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Tōshō Daimos (1978): Child The Adventures of the Little Prince (1978): Cliff, Gym Astro Boy (1980): Pook (episode 20), Pipi (episode 36)Astro Boy (TV 2/1980). Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website. Ashita no Joe 2 (1980): ChelseaAshita no Joe 2 (TV). Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website. Eagle Sam (1983): ChichiEagle Sam (TV). Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website.イーグルサム (in Japanese). allcinema.net. The Twins at St. Clare's (1991): MademoiselleThe Twins at St. Clare's (TV). Anime News Network. Anime News Network Official Website.
Theatrical anime The Adventures of Hutch the Honeybee: Wish Upon a Forget-Me-Not昆虫物語 みなしごハッチ 忘れな草に願いをこめて (in Japanese). allcinema.net. (1971): Ayaみなしごハッチ 忘れな草に願いをこめて (in Japanese). eiga.com. The Adventures of Hutch the Honeybee: Being Held By Mama昆虫物語 みなしごハッチ ママにだかれて (in Japanese). allcinema.net. (1972): Ayaみなしごハッチ ママにだかれて (in Japanese). eiga.com. Magical Girl Limit-chan (1974): Additional voiceミラクル少女 リミットちゃん (in Japanese). allcinema.net. Fushigi no Tatari-chan (2000): Grandmaフシギのたたりちゃん (in Japanese). eiga.com.
Television drama O Sage Shachō (1958) Mammoth Tower (1958)マンモスタワー (in Japanese). eiga.com. Ai Rabu Teishu (1959)
Radio drama Uchi no Otōchan (1958)"Entertainment TV News" in "Entertainment Pictorial" (in Japanese). January 1959 issue. Sun Publishing. January 1959.
References
External links Official agency profile