with Naoko Ken as "Ken♀♂Ken" in . In 2006, he formed and led his own comedy theater, Shimurakon (Shimura Spirit). Tensai! Shimura Dōbutsuen continued airing after Shimura's death, with on air remembrances of his time with the animals. On July 4, 2020, it was reported that Nippon TV had decided to end the broadcast, citing that it would be painfully difficult and heartbreaking to continue filming in a set filled with memories, that was destined for Shimura's advice. The last broadcast was set for September. Illness and death Shimura was hospitalized for severe pneumonia on 20 March 2020; he lost consciousness after being anesthetized and hooked up to a ventilator on the following day. Then, on 23 March it was confirmed that he had COVID-19. He was the first Japanese tarento to have his COVID-19 diagnosis made public during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. On 24 March, Shimura was transferred to a hospital where ECMO was available. He had been scheduled to star in the film , but his participation was cancelled on 26 March. He was also slated to carry the Olympic torch through part of Tokyo prior to the 2020 Tokyo games. Shimura died on 29 March 2020 at the in Shinjuku, Tokyo. He was 70 years old. Filmography Poppoya (1999), Hajime Yoshioka The Lorax (2012), The Lorax (Japanese dub voice) Yo-kai Watch: The Movie (2014), Master Nyada (voice) Yell (2020, TV series), Kōzō Oyamada Discography As featured artist See also Statue of Ken Shimura References External links Ken Shimura's Official Blog Ken Shimura. IMDb 1950 births 2020 deaths Japanese male comedians Comedians from Tokyo People from Higashimurayama, Tokyo Japanese racehorse owners and breeders Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan