She left Haiyuza in 1971, but gained popularity by starring as the titular character in the live-action television series Kaseifu wa Mita!
Starting in 1975, Ichihara narrated and voiced Manga Nihon Mukashi Banashi, the widely watched television anime series that recounts Japanese folk tales.
She played the titular warlord character’s mother in NHK’s live-action historical television series Hideyoshi in 1996, and also starred in other live-action television series such as Bengoshi Takamizawa Kyōko (Attorney Kyōko Takamizawa) from 1998 to 2014.
Prolific screen actress and voice actress Etsuko Ichihara passed away just after 1:30 p.m. on Saturday in a Tokyo hospital due to heart failure.