TOKYO -- Japanese actor Toshiyuki Nishida, famed for roles in TV, film and on the stage spanning decades, has passed away at age 76, it was learned on Oct. 17.

A native of Fukushima Prefecture, Nishida appeared in productions as diverse as the comedic "Tsuribaka Nisshi" (lit. Fishing Nut's Diary) film series and "Fiddler on the Roof." After graduating from theater school in 1970, he landed his first part in a Seiichi Yashiro stage play in 1971. In 1977, he won the Kinokuniya individual stage actor award, one milestone in a long career on stage that included the lead in "Fiddler on the Roof" in 1994.

Nishida was also a regular on TV, where he got his start in the drama serial "Kita no Kazoku" (lit. Family from the North) on public broadcaster NHK in 1973.

In 2004, Nishida took home Best Actor at the Mainichi Film Awards for his roles in "Get Up!" and "Tsuribaka Nisshi 14." He has also won the Japan Academy Film Prize for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role and the Golden Arrow Award for performances in films including "The Silk Road" and "Gakko" (A Class to Remember).

(Mainichi)