Tomie Kataoka is a Japanese actress and voice actor, born on November 2, 1944, in Chiba Prefecture. Her career in the entertainment industry began in the 1960s, with a strong foundation in theater. She has been affiliated with several theater companies and agencies throughout her career, including Production Baobab and 81 Produce, before joining the Gekidan Seinenza theater company in 1991, where she remains active. Her work spans stage, television drama, and a significant body of voice acting for animation and foreign film dubs.

Kataoka is known for her distinctive alto voice and her skill in portraying energetic, strong-willed, and often comedic middle-aged and elderly female characters. In anime, one of her most recognized roles is Yoshiko Ikawa, the mother of the protagonist in the long-running series Tsuyoshi Shikkari Shinasai. Her filmography includes a wide array of other anime roles, such as Kinuyo in Obatarian, Blonda in Don Dracula, Gyon-ja in Kim no Jūjika, Fumi in Fūsen no Doratarō, and Mamangadon in the Dr. Slump & Arale-chan film Ncha! Penguin Mura wa Hare no chi Hare. She has also contributed to major theatrical releases, with roles in acclaimed films like Millennium Actress, Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, The Wolf Children Ame and Yuki, and several installments of the Detective Conan franchise.

Beyond original animation, Kataoka has been highly active as a dubbing artist for foreign films and television series. She is particularly well-known as the regular Japanese voice for actresses Whoopi Goldberg and Kathy Bates, lending her voice to many of their performances. Her extensive dubbing work also includes iconic roles such as Kanga in the Winnie the Pooh franchise, Shenzi in The Lion King, and Juanita Solis in the Japanese version of Desperate Housewives.

Throughout her career, Kataoka has maintained recurring collaborations with fellow voice actors, frequently working alongside盐屋浩三 (Kōzō Shioya), 岛田敏 (Toshihiko Seki), and 乡里大辅 (Daisuke Gōri) on various projects. In recognition of her lasting contributions to the voice acting profession, she was honored with the Merit Award at the 12th Seiyu Awards in 2018. Her enduring legacy in the industry is marked by her versatility, her powerful characterizations, and her commitment to her craft across both stage and screen.