Eiji Bandō: key obituary facts
Is Eiji Bandō dead? Yes. Eiji Bandō died on July 22, 2026, at age 86.
Cause of death: Eiji Bandō's cause of death was reported as heart failure.
What was Eiji Bandō known for?
He was a Japanese television entertainer and baseball player (1940-2026).
More about Eiji Bandō
Born: 5 April 1940.
Place of birth: Hulin.
Gender: male.
Occupation: baseball player, actor, tarento, film actor, game show host.
Nationality: Japan.
Awards: Blue Ribbon Awards for Best Supporting Actor.
Also known as: Bandō Eiji, Eiji Bando, Bando Eiji, Eiji Bandou.
Eiji Bandō, the Japanese baseball player and entertainer known for his time with the Chunichi Dragons, died on July 22, 2026, at age 86.
A native of Hulin, he became a television personality, actor, tarento, film actor and game show host after his baseball career. Bandō was remembered for his standout high school pitching, including an 18-inning quarterfinal in the 1958 National High School Baseball Championship that helped bring about the tournament’s first rematch rule.
He finished that competition with an unbroken record of 83 strikeouts before going on to join the Dragons, though he later said he never fully regained his pitching strength. He was also known by the names Bandō Eiji, Eiji Bando, Bando Eiji and Eiji Bandou.