Japan action star Sonny Chiba dies from COVID-19 complications, NHK says

FILE PHOTO: Shinichi "Sonny" Chiba, veteran martial arts actor, poses on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii October 27, 2005. Chiba is in Honolulu to receive the film festival's "Maverick Award". REUTERS/Lucy Pemoni

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese action star Shinichi "Sonny" Chiba died in hospital from complications related to COVID-19, public broadcaster NHK said late on Thursday. He was 82.

Chiba a martial artist and imposing actor known for his legendary fight scenes, was best known in the West for his role as sword maker Hattori Hanzo in the "Kill Bill" series of films.

(Reporting by David Dolan)

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