Kazuya Shimizu was born Kazuhiko Shimizu in Okayama prefecture, Japan. As a teenager, he relocated to Tokyo in the 1980s and began training in martial arts under the guidance of renowned martial artist and film promoter Yasuaki Kurata. Under Kurata's production, Kazuya honed his skills in Karate, Judo, Kickboxing, and other forms of combat. He also demonstrated expertise with swords, utilizing his talents to become a skilled stuntman and eventually transitioning to a main actor due to his exceptional acting abilities and captivating physical appearance.
In 1986, Kazuya made his television debut in the Japanese series Abunai Deka, playing the role of a mischievous student. The show ran from 1986 to 1988 and spawned a successful franchise with movies and video games.
In 1988, Kazuya accompanied Kurata to Hong Kong to work on the film Blood Sport. At the age of 21, he portrayed a gang member in the movie. Interestingly, the title is similar to the 1986 film Bloodsports, but the two movies are not connected.
Throughout the 1990s, Kazuya worked on numerous television series and films, including Solbrain and Black Angel. In 1998, he landed the iconic role of Ultraman Agul in the Ultraman Gaia series, a position he held for two years. He also contributed to video games and voice overs during the early 2000s.
In 2002, Kazuya co-directed and starred as a Yakuza bodyguard in the film Returner, marking his directorial debut. His versatility as an actor and director allowed him to excel in a wide range of roles.
In 2003, Kazuya gained international recognition for his portrayal of the assassin Nissai in Azumi, a film based on the popular manga series. Azumi became a global phenomenon, joining the ranks of other Japanese blockbusters like Battle Royale and Spirited Away.
Kazuya has continued to work in the film industry, earning a reputation as one of the greatest and friendliest individuals to collaborate with. He has formed lasting bonds with actors and actresses from the Chosen Sentai series, as well as foreign actors who have worked in Asia.
