Photo byJun Matsuda, courtesy of HollywoodNewsWire.net

October 18, 2005, at “The White Countess” premiere in L.A.

ORIGINAL HSE  ”WHO IS…”

Hiroyuki Sanada was born Hiroyuki Shimosawa in Tokyo on October 12, 1960.  At the age of 5, he began to model for magzine covers.  He also appeared in his first movie with Shinichi (Sonny) Chiba, who later will become his mentor.  In the meantime, Sanada san attends school, and then at the age of 13, he joins Chiba’s Japan Action Club (JAC) to begin learning horseback riding, the martial arts, jazz and traditional Japanese Dance.  After graduating from Horikoshi Gakuen High School for “talento”, or gifted children, he makes his debut with Sonny Chiba in “Yagyu Ichizoku no Inbo” which catapults him into an illustrious career as an action star in samurai and ninja movies in the 70’s and 80’s.  Sanada san also appeared in many stage plays with JAC, including “Big River” and various other musicals.  He eventually wins an award for “Little Shop of Horrors” in 1987.

In 1982, Sanada san graduated from Nihon University of Art, majoring in Film.  He then appeared in a famous action film titled “Shogun’s Ninja” with Sonny Chiba.  His career takes off in the 80’s, with more and more dramatic roles.  He appears in a tragic love tale “Dotonborigawa” (Lover’s Lost) and Mahjong Horoki (Mahjong Vagrant Life); and in several Hong Kong features, including the famous “Royal Warriors” with Michelle Yeoh.  Sanada san also released several albums in the 80’s and toured Japan in rock concerts.

Over the years, Sanada san is recognized as an “actor’s actor”, with various roles in movies, T.V. dramas, notably a favorite movie among his legion of fans, “Shinjuku Zame” (“Detective Zame”); and the dramas “Hero Interview”, “Tabloid”, “Konna Koi no Hanashi” and many others.  In 2000, the Royal Shakespeare Company cast him as “The Fool” in “King Lear”, alongside the great Sir. Nigel Hawthorne.  For his performance and his bringing his cultural heritage and diversity to the London stage he was awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) from the Queen of England.  He had also played “Hamlet” previously in Japan and London.  Sanada san is the recipient of  five Japan Academy Awards, most recently for his portrayal of a widowed father in “Tasogare Seibei” (“The Twilight Samurai”).  The movie was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the American Academy Awards (2004), but alas, didn’t win.

Sanada san stars as “Ujio” in “ The Last Samurai”.  It is this movie that has gained him accolades internationally, and new fans worldwide.  Sanada san recently finished filming “Wu Ji, The Promise” and “The White Countess” .in China, “Aegis” in Japan.

BIRTHDATE:  OCTOBER 12, 1960
HEIGHT:  5”6
MARITAL STATUS:  divorced, two sons

by: Caroline  (2004)

2011 UPDATE:

Sanada san moved to Los Angeles in 2003/04, in order to pursue his International career, and to further his skill in English language.

Since that time he has cultivated a remarkably varied repertoire, ranging from T.V., to Blockbuster and Indie Art films,   Although these early ‘HOLLYWOOD YEARS’  have been predominantly in supporting roles, they reflect Hiro’s amazing approach and willingness to be a ‘student’ in this new  phase of his remarkable career.    He consistently shows his desire to “begin again”, as he has chosen his projects with more emphasis on WHO he works with, rather than the size of his role.   (as he did with “The Last Samurai” in 2003)

In 2007, Sanada san again showed this versatility in his choices, beginning with  “Sunshine”, directed by Danny Boyle in the UK, to  “The  City of your Final Destination” where he worked again with James Ivory and co starred with Anthony Hopkins and Laura Linney in Argentina.   He then added a blockbuster film to his credits, co-starring opposite Jackie Chan, in the “Rush Hour” franchise, with  “Rush Hour 3″.  In 2008, he then worked with the Wachowski brothers in a 3D film based on a well known animated story in Japan, called “Speed Racer”.

2010 brought our Hiro to  TV audiences with the role of Temple Master, Dogen,  in the final season of the Popular series “LOST”.   This brought him an even wider audience in Hollywood.

He recently wrapped filming a Western retelling of the famous Japanese “47 Ronin”  story, which is currently in post production.   Hiro will play the role of the leader of the 47 Ronin, Kuranosuke Oishi,    He will  co star with Keanu Reeves, and an amazing array of top actors from Japan, Tadanobu Asano, Rinko Kikuchi, and Kou Shibasaki and Jin Akanishi .   Filmed in Budapest, and the UK, this is being helmed by Carl Erik Rinsch in 3D,  for a November 2012 release.  (this is a ‘fantasy’ remake of the Chusingura story, filmed in English).

Most recently, it was announced that Sanada san will return to TV in the new hit series called “Revenge”, in a guest role later this year.
by: rei 2011