Takeshi Kitano (北野 武, Kitano Takeshi, born 18 January 1947) is a Japanese comedian, television presenter, actor, filmmaker, and author. While he is known primarily as a comedian and TV host in his native Japan, he is better known abroad for his work as a filmmaker and actor as well as TV host. With the exception of his works as a film director, he is commonly known by the stage name Beat Takeshi (ビートたけし, Bīto Takeshi).
