Miho Nakayama’s “dual career as a singer and an actor” has left a great record.

Actress and singer, both very active in their own right

The funeral service for Miho Nakayama, 54, who passed away on December 6 in an accident while taking a bath at her home in Tokyo, was held at a funeral hall in Tokyo on December 12. After the ceremony, her sister and actress Shinobu Nakayama (51), who served as a pallbearer, made a comment on Miho’s official website.

Shinobu wrote, “For me, my sister is ‘my favorite sister,’ ‘everyone’s Miho Nakayama,’ and ‘a shining star forever,'” quoting the title of her sister’s hit song and expressing her feelings for her respected sister. She also reported that her son (20), the only child she had with her ex-husband, Hitonari Tsuji (65), a writer, had come from France and was reunited with Miho. A farewell party is scheduled for a later date.

According to some sports papers that reported on the funeral, about 30 people attended the ceremony, including family members and office staff. The altar was covered with colorful flowers, including deep red dahlias, which Miho loved, and was decorated with her debut song “‘C'”, CDs of all 39 singles, and photos of her memories.

In the center of the altar was a portrait of Miho singing in her favorite dress at Billboard Yokohama on the 1st of this month, her last performance on stage. Until then, Miho had acted stout-heartedly, but when the mourners gave their final speeches, the tears she had been holding back began to well up and she became at a loss for words. It is said that everyone in attendance was moved to tears by her appearance.

In January 1985, Miho made her debut as an actress in the drama “Every time I am sorry” (TBS), and in June of the same year, she made her debut as a singer with the theme song “‘C'” from the drama “Natsu, kiken monogatari” starring the same station. She continued to be very active as both an actress and a singer, and in the 1990s, she set a major record.

In the 1990s, she set a major record: “The theme song for the drama series “Moshi ga Kanae Naranara” (TBS), which started in January 1994, ‘Tadakutte Woitekiru No’ became the first million-seller under her own name to sell over one million copies. Before that, in 1992, her song “Kitto than anyone else in the world” in collaboration with the popular band “WANDS” achieved a million-seller record.

This was the first time for a female singer who debuted in the 1980s to have two million-seller songs. Only Miho and Miki Imai (61), who debuted in 1986 and, like Miho, also worked as an actor, had million-seller hits with “PIECE OF MY WISH” (1991) and “PRIDE” (1996),” said a record company official.

A record that will likely never be broken.

Miho made her debut in a TBS drama series, but as she became a successful actress, the station and Fuji Television were competing for Miho’s lead in the drama series.

Fuji’s “Kimi no Hitomi ni Koishiteru!” in the January 1989 season. (1992), and “For You” (1995), and since then, Miho has been cast as the lead in a succession of leading roles in the signature Geki 9 drama slot. She also sang the theme song for the drama series in which she starred, setting another record that seems impossible to beat.

Takuya Kimura (52), who has starred in 11 of these dramas, is in second place with 7 leading roles. Miho is the only female actor in the top 10 in terms of number of lead roles. In addition, Ms. Miho is tied with Reo Ieiri (30) for the most number of theme song appearances by a female singer, with 4.

Ieiri’s record may be broken in the future as she is likely to sing the theme song when one of her agency’s actors is cast as the lead in a Gekkatsu series. However, recently, Tsuki 9 has been changing its lead actors more and more, and it is difficult to get a second lead role. It will be difficult to break the record for the number of lead roles.

In the future, there will probably be no more people like Miho who can combine singing and acting at a high level. Except for those who belong to a group, it is becoming increasingly difficult for actors to sing the theme song for the lead roles on all TV stations these days.

In recent years, Miho has often played supporting roles in video productions, expanding the range of her roles.

On the 16th, Miho’s official website announced that the dramas she filmed before her death will be broadcast in January next year. Both will be broadcast in January ’25: “Japan’s Worst Man* Our Family Was a Fake” (Fuji TV) starring Shingo Katori (47) and ” The Housekeeper’s Mitaisono” (TV Asahi), the latest in the popular drama series starring Masahiro Matsuoka (47), a Tokio .

He appeared in “The Worst Man” as the head of a daycare center, and appeared in the first episode broadcast on the 9th and in the third episode broadcast on the 23rd.He also appeared as the main guest in the first episode of “Mitazono” ( ), which aired on the 14th of the same month.

He would have appeared in many more productions in the future. His early death is regrettable.

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