Kumiko Owada (大和田 久美子, Ōwada Kumiko, 23 August 1956 – 23 April 2020), née Okae (岡江), was a Japanese actress, voice actress, and television presenter. She was known for her work on television dramas, as well as hosting entertainment and variety shows, such as Renso Game on NHK. Okae also hosted the morning show Hanamaru Market [ja] on Tokyo Broadcasting System Television from 1996 to 2014.

Kumiko Okae
岡江久美子
Born
Kumiko Okae

(1956-08-23)23 August 1956
Died23 April 2020(2020-04-23) (aged 63)
Tokyo, Japan
Occupation(s)Actress, voice actress, television presenter
Years active1975–2020
Spouse
(m. 1983)
ChildrenMiho Ohwada

Career

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Okae began her professional acting career in 1975.[1][2] She appeared in numerous television roles and variety shows from the 1970s to the 2010s.[3][2] In 1982, she released the album Yes, I Feel on the Casablanca label.[4] She acted in television dramas, and hosted entertainment and variety shows, such as Rensō Game on NHK. Okae hosted the morning show, Hanamaru Market [ja], on Tokyo Broadcasting System Television from 1996 until 2014.[1]

Personal life

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Okae married actor Baku Ohwada [ja] in 1983, who she had met while they were both regular panelists on Rensō Game. They had a daughter, actress Miho Ohwada.[1]


Death

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Okae underwent surgery for early stage breast cancer in late 2019.[1] She was then treated with Radiation therapy from January to mid-February 2020, which further weakened her immune system.[1][2] On 3 April 2020, Okae developed a fever and her health began to deteriorate.[2] She was admitted to a Tokyo hospital on 6 April, placed on a ventilator and later diagnosed with COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.[1][3][2] Okae died from pneumonia in the Tokyo hospital on April 23, 2020, at the age of 63.[1][2][3] Okae's death, along with the death of comedian Ken Shimura six days later, were amongst the first prolific celebrity deaths related to COVID-19 in Japan.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Drama star Kumiko Okae, host of 'Hanamaru Market,' dies from pneumonia at 63". Japan Times. 24 April 2020. Archived from the original on 24 April 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Actress Okae Kumiko dies from coronavirus". NHK World. 23 April 2020. Archived from the original on 24 April 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "Japanese actress Kumiko Okae dies after novel coronavirus infection". Kyodo News. 23 April 2020. Archived from the original on 24 April 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  4. ^ "Kumiko Okae". Discogs. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  5. ^ INC, SANKEI DIGITAL (23 July 2020). "【芸能界"衝撃"事件簿】志村けんさんと岡江久美子さんの死 多くの人が本気でコロナ恐れるようになった(1/2ページ)". zakzak:夕刊フジ公式サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 18 September 2024.
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