Japanese actor Ken Ogata dead at 71

TOKYO, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Noted Japanese screen and television actor Ken Ogata, whose new TV drama series was set to open this week, has died at age 71, sources told Kyodo.

The news service said the cause and the place where he died wasn't immediately known.

Variety reported a private funeral was Tuesday.

Ogata's famous films included the "Ballad of Narayama," "Vengeance is Mine," "The Demon," and "House on Fire," Kyodo reported.

The Tokyo native had attended a news conference Sept. 30 to announce his new TV drama series "Garden of Wind," scheduled to start airing Thursday, the report said. He was to play the role of a doctor in that series.

Variety reported Ogata began his acting career with the Shinkokugeki drama troupe in 1958.

The report said Ogata also won fame as a calligrapher, holding his first public exhibition in 1991.

Ogata won the Japanese government's Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2000 for his contributions to the arts, Kyodo said.

His two sons also are involved in acting careers.