Former actor Ryotaro Shimizu has recently passed away.
According to Japanese media reports, the former actor and son of veteran comedian Akira Shimizu, was found unconscious at his Tokyo residence on the evening of 1 August and was later confirmed dead. Police are currently investigating the possibility of suicide, and the exact cause of death is still under investigation.
Akira has also confirmed the news via his agency, stating, “It happened so suddenly that I still cannot accept this reality. It is a deeply painful and sad time for our family.”
Born in Tokyo in 1988, Ryotaro entered the entertainment industry in 2006 with the NHK Taiga drama, “Komyo ga Tsuji”. He then went on to star in numerous productions, including the TV series “Full Swing” and “Gokusen”.
However, Ryotaro’s career was repeatedly tarnished by scandals. In 2017, he was arrested for suspected amphetamine use and sentenced to one year and six months in prison, suspended for three years. His father subsequently expelled him from his agency, effectively ending Ryotaro’s promising acting career.
In 2016, Ryotaro married his non-celebrity partner and the couple welcomed their daughter that same year, initially seen as a significant step in Ryotaro’s life. However, he left the entertainment industry soon after.
Ryotaro was 37.
