is a Japanese film and television actor from Nagasaki.
A graduate of Senshu University, Wakabayashi became a member of Shin Kokugeki, then Wakabayashi Promotions. Currently he is a member of Toho Entertainment.
After some roles in minor television series, he appeared for the first time in an NHK taiga drama, Mominoki wa Nokotta in 1970. The network tapped him the following year for the role of Araki Mataemon in Haru no Sakamichi. (A different Araki, the hatamoto Jà «zaemon, was his character in a later film, The Fall of Ako Castle, directed by Kinji Fukasaku.) Also in 1971, he appeared as Maehara Isuke in the year-long series Daichà «shingura with Toshirà  Mifune. He took guest roles in many other television series, including Mifune's Kà Âya no Surà Ânin, the 1970s Lone Wolf and Cub TV series, and Suikoden.
Returning to NHK, he portrayed Saità  Yoshitatsu in the 1973 taiga drama Kunitori Monogatari. He has also appeared as Sanada Yukimura in Tokugawa Ieyasu (1983), and as the same warrior in Dokuganryà « Masamune (1987). He played Abe Masahiro in the 1990 Tobu ga Gotoku, his most recent taiga drama appearance.
Other Edo period roles have included Katsu Kaishà «, Kondà  Isami, Nakajima Saburà Âsuke, à Âkubo Ichià Â, and Yagyà « Jà «bei Mitsuyoshi. A jidaigeki role was Hotta Settsu-no-kami in Meibugyà  Tà Âyama no Kin-san.
In the mid-1970s, Wakabayashi took prominent contemporary roles, appearing as a detective in Taiyà  ni Hoero!, Oretachi no Kunshà Â, and G-Men '75. In the last, he had a regular prime-time role in Episodes 105âÂÂ335, co-starring with Tetsurà  Tamba. The pair played the same roles in G-Men '82 (1982âÂÂ83).
Wakabayashi appears frequently in two-hour specials, often as a detective. He has starred in shows on TV Asahi, Fuji Television, Nippon Television, and Tokyo Broadcasting System. A very different role was as a chef in Sushi à Âji (2007).
He is also a celebrity, appearing on variety and quiz shows. He has done commercials for a variety of products. Wakabayashi dubbed the voice of Rock Hudson's Stewart McMillan in the NHK broadcasts of McMillan & Wife.
This article incorporates material from (Wakabayashi GÃ Â) in the Japanese Wikipedia, retrieved on March 4, 2008.