Oda Masao, born Saiki Masao (斎木政雄) was a Japanese actor born in Waseda, Ushigome, Tokyo, Japan. He later changed his name to Oda Masao (織田真佐男).

He began his acting career at age six and graduated from Tokyo Prefectural School of Arts (東京府立工芸学校). In 1930, he enrolled in the first class at the Japan Actors School (日本俳優学校) and joined its theater troupe after graduating in 1934. He then worked with the Kansai New School (関西新派) and the Inoue Drama School (井上演劇道場), later joining the Shinkyo Gekidan (新協劇団) in 1946. In 1950, he co-founded the theater troupe Verité-Cercle (劇団ヴェリテ・せるくる) and worked as a freelancer, especially in radio dramas.

Oda made his film debut in 1953 in the movie Onna Hitori Daichi wo Yuku (女ひとり大地を行く) and signed a contract with Nikkatsu (日活) before returning to freelance work. In February 1964, while preparing for a role in Same (鮫), he suffered a stroke on a train, leaving him partially paralyzed on the left side of his body. He spent the rest of his life recuperating at home, though he briefly returned to acting in 1968, appearing in a wheelchair in a guest role on the television drama Tokubetsu Kido Sosatai (特別機動捜査隊).

Oda Masao passed away on August 30, 1973, at the age of 65 from angina pectoris at his home in Higashi-Koiwa, Edogawa, Tokyo.

(Source: kisskh) Edit Biography