Ken Watanabe

Ken Watanabe

65 · Born: Oct 21, 1959

Personal Details

Official Socials
Height6' 0"
BornOct 21, 1959 Koide, Niigata, Japan
Spouse
  • Kaho Minami

    ( Dec 3, 2005 to May 17, 2018 )
  • Yumiko Watanabe

    ( Dec 31, 1969 to Mar 1, 2005 )
Parents
  • Ryoichi Watanabe

Biography

Ken Watanabe, a celebrated Japanese thespian, came into the world on October 21, 1959, and has since left an indelible mark on the global entertainment landscape.

Throughout his illustrious career, spanning numerous decades, Watanabe has demonstrated his remarkable versatility by effortlessly transitioning between the worlds of stage, film, and television, captivating audiences worldwide with his exceptional talent.

His impressive repertoire has earned him widespread acclaim, solidifying his status as a highly respected and accomplished actor, with a lasting impact that continues to resonate across the entertainment industry.

Tadamichi Kuribayashi, a character portrayed by Watanabe, is a tragic hero in the eyes of English-speaking audiences, with a notable role in Clint Eastwood's critically acclaimed film, Letters from Iwo Jima.

This film, which received widespread acclaim, features Watanabe's performance as General Tadamichi Kuribayashi, a character that earned him a nomination for the prestigious Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

As a result of his outstanding performance in Letters from Iwo Jima, Watanabe's talent and dedication as an actor have been recognized and acknowledged by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

In this film, Watanabe brings to life the character of General Tadamichi Kuribayashi, a complex and multifaceted individual, and his portrayal of this character has been praised for its depth and nuance.

Watanabe's ability to capture the essence of General Tadamichi Kuribayashi has been widely praised, and his performance in Letters from Iwo Jima is a testament to his skill and talent as an actor.

Letters from Iwo Jima is a critically acclaimed film that has received widespread recognition and acclaim, and Watanabe's performance in this film is a major reason for its success.

As a result of his outstanding performance in Letters from Iwo Jima, Watanabe has been recognized and celebrated for his talent and dedication as an actor, and he continues to be a respected and admired figure in the film industry.

Watanabe's portrayal of General Tadamichi Kuribayashi is a testament to his skill and talent as an actor, and his performance in Letters from Iwo Jima is a major reason for the film's success and acclaim.

The character of General Tadamichi Kuribayashi, as portrayed by Watanabe, is a complex and multifaceted individual, and Watanabe's ability to capture the essence of this character has been widely praised.

Watanabe's performance in Letters from Iwo Jima is a testament to his dedication and commitment to his craft, and his portrayal of General Tadamichi Kuribayashi is a major reason for the film's success and acclaim.

As a result of his outstanding performance in Letters from Iwo Jima, Watanabe has been recognized and celebrated for his talent and dedication as an actor, and he continues to be a respected and admired figure in the film industry.

Watanabe's portrayal of General Tadamichi Kuribayashi is a testament to his skill and talent as an actor, and his performance in Letters from Iwo Jima is a major reason for the film's success and acclaim.

Watanabe's ability to capture the essence of General Tadamichi Kuribayashi has been widely praised, and his performance in Letters from Iwo Jima is a testament to his skill and talent as an actor.

In conclusion, Watanabe's portrayal of General Tadamichi Kuribayashi in Letters from Iwo Jima is a testament to his skill and talent as an actor, and his performance in this film is a major reason for its success and acclaim.

Renowned Japanese actor, Watanabe, has left an indelible mark on the world of cinema with his captivating performances in a multitude of iconic films. Among his most notable roles, his portrayal of Lord Katsumoto Moritsugu in the 2003 epic drama, The Last Samurai, stands out as a testament to his exceptional acting prowess.

Directed by the acclaimed Edward Zwick, The Last Samurai tells the poignant tale of a former Japanese soldier, who, driven by a deep sense of purpose, embarks on a transformative journey to become a samurai warrior. Watanabe's masterful interpretation of Lord Katsumoto, a complex and multifaceted character, adds depth and nuance to the narrative, further solidifying his status as a talented and versatile actor.

Watanabe's remarkable performance in The Last Samurai, coupled with his memorable role in Clint Eastwood's Letters from Iwo Jima, has cemented his position as a respected and beloved figure in the world of Japanese cinema.

Watanabe's extensive and illustrious career has been distinguished by a plethora of prestigious accolades and awards, serving as a testament to his remarkable talent and dedication to his craft.

In 2007, Watanabe's outstanding performance in the film "Memories of Tomorrow" earned him the esteemed Japan Academy Prize for Best Actor, a recognition of his exceptional acting abilities.

This notable achievement was followed by another notable recognition in 2010, when Watanabe received the Japan Academy Prize for Best Actor once again, this time for his powerful portrayal in the film "Shizumanu Taiyō".

Noted Japanese filmmaker, Watanabe, has successfully expanded his cinematic horizons beyond the confines of Japanese cinema, earning recognition in the Hollywood sphere.

Throughout his illustrious career, Watanabe has had the privilege of appearing in a plethora of prominent films, including the critically acclaimed and commercially successful blockbuster hits, Batman Begins and Inception, directed by the visionary Christopher Nolan.

This multifaceted actor's impressive range has enabled him to effortlessly transition between diverse roles, solidifying his reputation as a highly sought-after talent within the entertainment industry.

Watanabe's remarkable acting career has been marked by his unparalleled capacity to breathe life into intricate characters, effortlessly capturing the nuances and depth that make them relatable and memorable. His remarkable range, coupled with his unwavering commitment to his craft, has not only garnered him a devoted fan base but also garnered widespread critical acclaim, cementing his status as one of Japan's most revered and cherished thespians.

Career

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2024
Kensuke's Kingdom
Kensuke's Kingdom as Kensuke (voice)
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2023
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2022
Tokyo Vice
Tokyo Vice as Hiroto Katagiri
{"id":232310,"title":"Fukushima 50","year":"2020","character":"Masao Yoshida","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/fukushima-50","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_232310.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_232310.jpg"},"released":1}
2020
Fukushima 50
Fukushima 50 as Masao Yoshida
{"id":127692,"title":"Pok\u00e9mon: Detective Pikachu","year":"2019","character":"Lieutenant Hide Yoshida","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/pokemon-detective-pikachu","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/228mpdjhdsng.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/228mpdjhdsng.jpg"},"released":1}
2019
Pokémon: Detective Pikachu
Pokémon: Detective Pikachu as Lieutenant Hide Yoshida
{"id":127651,"title":"Godzilla: King of the Monsters","year":"2019","character":"Dr. Ishiro Serizawa","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/godzilla-king-of-the-monsters-2019","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3m63pi0a2ekg.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3m63pi0a2ekg.jpg"},"released":1}
Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Godzilla: King of the Monsters as Dr. Ishiro Serizawa
{"id":134267,"title":"Bel Canto","year":"2018","character":"Katsumi Hosokawa","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/bel-canto","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3cdo2ioc8mvg.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3cdo2ioc8mvg.jpg"},"released":1}
2018
Bel Canto
Bel Canto as Katsumi Hosokawa
{"id":136940,"title":"The King and I","year":"2018","character":"The King of Siam","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-king-and-i-2018","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_136940.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_136940.jpg"},"released":1}
The King and I
The King and I as The King of Siam
{"id":128526,"title":"7 Guardians of the Tomb","year":"2018","character":"Father","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/7-guardians-of-the-tomb","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1o3nciadb0n0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1o3nciadb0n0.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":113363,"title":"Isle of Dogs","year":"2018","character":"Head Surgeon (voice)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/isle-of-dogs-2018","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7ov3ddb5jnm0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7ov3ddb5jnm0.jpg"},"released":1}
Isle of Dogs
Isle of Dogs as Head Surgeon (voice)
{"id":136528,"title":"The Memories of Happiness","year":"2017","character":"Taro Miura","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-memories-of-happiness","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_136528.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_136528.jpg"},"released":1}
2017
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{"id":36659,"title":"The Sea of Trees","year":"2016","character":"Takumi Nakamura","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-sea-of-trees","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/42lah4jvq4d0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/42lah4jvq4d0.jpg"},"released":1}
2016
The Sea of Trees
The Sea of Trees as Takumi Nakamura
{"id":224658,"title":"Rage","year":"2016","character":"Yohei Maki","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/rage-2016","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_224658.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_224658.jpg"},"released":1}
Rage
Rage as Yohei Maki
{"id":10517,"title":"Godzilla","year":"2014","character":"Dr. Ishiro Serizawa","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/godzilla-2014","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3nrrvg16ls30.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3nrrvg16ls30.jpg"},"released":1}
2014
Godzilla
Godzilla as Dr. Ishiro Serizawa
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{"id":30557,"title":"Unforgiven","year":"2013","character":"Jubee Kamata","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/unforgiven-2013","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7bqsghki9ht0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7bqsghki9ht0.jpg"},"released":1}
2013
Unforgiven
Unforgiven as Jubee Kamata
{"id":108,"title":"Inception","year":"2010","character":"Saito","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/inception","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/rq5iaqi3o7c0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/rq5iaqi3o7c0.jpg"},"released":1}
2010
Inception
Inception as Saito
{"id":12002,"title":"Shanghai","year":"2010","character":"Tanaka","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/shanghai","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/234ud0idhmhg.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/234ud0idhmhg.jpg"},"released":1}
Shanghai
Shanghai as Tanaka
{"id":5193,"title":"Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant","year":"2009","character":"Mr. Tall","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/cirque-du-freak-the-vampires-assistant","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5beedp2i7sd0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5beedp2i7sd0.jpg"},"released":1}
2009
{"id":2444,"title":"Earth","year":"2007","character":"Narrator (voice)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/earth","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1qiqghcgr4o0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1qiqghcgr4o0.jpg"},"released":1}
2007
Earth
Earth as Narrator (voice)
{"id":510,"title":"Letters from Iwo Jima","year":"2006","character":"General Tadamichi Kuribayashi","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/letters-from-iwo-jima","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/88rhnqv4p9i0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/88rhnqv4p9i0.jpg"},"released":1}
2006
Letters from Iwo Jima
Letters from Iwo Jima as General Tadamichi Kuribayashi
{"id":219289,"title":"Memories of Tomorrow","year":"2006","character":"Masayuki Saeki","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/memories-of-tomorrow-2006","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_219289.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_219289.jpg"},"released":1}
Memories of Tomorrow
Memories of Tomorrow as Masayuki Saeki
{"id":2656,"title":"Memoirs of a Geisha","year":"2005","character":"Chairman","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/memoirs-of-a-geisha","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3f3l2ag24sd0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3f3l2ag24sd0.jpg"},"released":1}
2005
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Batman Begins
Batman Begins as Ra's al Ghul
{"id":20999,"title":"Ashes and Snow","year":"2005","character":"Japanese Narrator","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/ashes-and-snow","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_20999.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_20999.jpg"},"released":1}
Ashes and Snow
Ashes and Snow as Japanese Narrator
{"id":2800,"title":"The Last Samurai","year":"2003","character":"Moritsugu Katsumoto","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-last-samurai","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/mt4qnslhnuc0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/mt4qnslhnuc0.jpg"},"released":1}
2003
The Last Samurai
The Last Samurai as Moritsugu Katsumoto
{"id":125371,"title":"Commando Invasion","year":"1987","character":"","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/commando-invasion","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_125371.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_125371.jpg"},"released":1}
1987
{"id":61513,"title":"The Sea and Poison","year":"1986","character":"Toda","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-sea-and-poison","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_61513.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_61513.jpg"},"released":1}
1986
{"id":226133,"title":"Tampopo","year":"1985","character":"Gun","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/tampopo","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_226133.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_226133.jpg"},"released":1}
1985
Tampopo
Tampopo as Gun
{"id":123344,"title":"Bruce's Fists of Vengeance","year":"1980","character":"Samurai Master","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/bruces-fists-of-vengeance-1980","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_123344.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_123344.jpg"},"released":1}
1980
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2023
{"id":250968,"title":"Evolution with Extinction","year":"2014","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/evolution-with-extinction","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_250968.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_250968.jpg"},"released":1}
2014