Hisao Dazai was a Japanese actor and voice actor born on December 26, 1923, in the Asakusa district of Tokyo. He died on November 20, 1998, at the age of 74. His career in performance began after World War II when he joined the NHK Tokyo Broadcasting Troupe in 1946, seeking a means of livelihood. This position allowed him to excel as a radio voice actor, making good use of his unique high-pitched voice, a characteristic that developed after his hearing was slightly impaired during military training in middle school. He became a freelance actor in 1955 to further his career.

As a voice actor, Dazai is known for the role of Chamberlain in the 1979 stop-motion animated film Nutcracker Fantasy. His other voice work includes the role of Wada Kohei in an episode of the 1972 live-action tokusatsu series Jinzou Ningen Kikaider. While his anime voice acting credits appear limited, he had an extensive career as a live-action film and television actor.

His most significant and lasting collaboration was with actor Kiyoshi Atsuko and director Yoji Yamada in the long-running Tora-san film series. Beginning with the first film, Otoko wa Tsurai yo (Tora-san, Our Lovable Tramp), in 1969, Dazai played the recurring role of Umetaro Katsura, a character often referred to as the octopus factory manager. He appeared in this role in over forty films of the series, continuing until 1997. Beyond the Tora-san films, his notable live-action movie credits include None But the Brave (1965) and Shiawase no kiiroi hankachi (The Yellow Handkerchief of Happiness) (1977). His career achievements include a long and stable partnership with the Tora-san film studio, appearing in more than fifty productions with frequent collaborators such as screenwriter Yoji Yamada and co-stars Baisho Chieko and Maeda Gin.