20 most popular Japanese actors who made it in Hollywood

Several talents are emerging every day in Hollywood. The industry has welcomed top actors from all corners who come to sharpen their acting skills and create new audiences for their films. Who are the most famous Japanese actors who made it in Hollywood?

Japan has a lengthy history of compelling films and performers with a large fan base both domestically and globally. The country’s film market consists of interesting action, fictional, romance, and comedy movies. Some of its actors are also performing exceptionally well in Hollywood.

Famous Japanese actors in Hollywood

Here is the list of the some of the most popular Japanese actors in Hollywood who gained popularity due to their skills and awards.

1. Hiroyuki Sanada

• Date of birth: 12 October 1960
• Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
• Debut movie: Rokyoku Komori-Uta

Hiroyuki Sanada is a Japanese actor and martial artist who started acting at the age of five when he appeared in the movie titled Rokyoku Komori-Uta. Since then the actor has appered in other films and TV series such as The Twilight Samurai, The Wolverine, John Wick: Chapter 4 and Army of the Dead.

2. Ken Watanabe

• Date of birth: 21 October 1959
• Birthplace: Koide, Japan
• Debut movie: Mibu no Koiuta

Ken Watanabe began acting in 1983 in the TV series Mibu no koiuta. He has appeared in more than 80 films and TV series. Some of his acting roles include in Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Pokémon: Detective Pikachu, The King and I, Transformers: The Last Knight and The Memories of Happiness.

3. Sota Fukushi

• Date of birth: 30 May 1993
• Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
• Debut movie: Misaki Number One

Sota Fukushi gained fame by portraying Gentaro Kisaragi in Kamen Rider Fourze. Since then, the actor has participated in numerous movies and TV shows such The Head and My Love from the Star.

4. Hiro Kanagawa

• Date of birth: 13 October 1963
• Birthplace: Hokkaido, Japan
• Debut movie: Born Too Soon

Hiro Kanagawa became one of the top Japanese actors after showcasing his knack in various TV series and movies such as The 100, The Killing, and Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes.

He also starred in Godzilla, Elekta, and The Five People You Meet in Heaven and won the Jessie Richardson Theatre Award In 2015.

5. Masi Oka

• Date of birth: 27 December 1974
• Birthplace: Shibuya City, Tokyo, Japan
• Debut movie: Straight White Male

Masi Oka rose to fame after playing Hiro Nakamura in NBC's Heroes. He also played as Doctor Max Bergman on Hawaii Five-0.

He was nominated at the Golden Globes Awards in 2007 and won the TV Land Future Award. These made him one of the best Japanese actors to watch.

6. Noriyuki Pat Morita

• Date of birth: 28 June 1932
• Birthplace: Isleton, California, USA
• Debut movie: Car Thieves

Noriyuki Pat Morita was a Japanese-American filmmaker, voice actor, and comedian. He appeared in various films and TV series such as Remove All Obstacles, American Fusion and The Biggest Fan. Morita died of kidney failure after a urinary tract and gallbladder infection in 2005.

7. Cary Hiroyuki Tagawa

• Date of birth: 27 September 1950
• Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
• Debut movie: Big Trouble in Little China

Cary Hiroyuki Tagawa's worthy performances are seen in movies like Mortal Kombat, Licence to Kill, Pearl Harbour, Planet of Apes, and Memoirs of a Geisha. He is best known for his evil roles and acquired Russian citizenship when he started working with Russian film stars.

8. Toshiro Mifune

• Date of birth: 1 April 1920
• Birthplace: Qingdao, China
• Debut movie: Snow Tail

With more than 150 films under his belt, Toshiro Mifune became one of his century's most famous Japanese actors. He worked with Akira Kurosawa in 16 cinema classics like Rashomon, Throne of Blood, Seven Samurai, and The Hidden Fortress. He also received the Medal of Honour with Purple Ribbon in 1986 and the title of Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival. He was also honoured with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2016.

9. George Takei

• Date of birth: 20 April 1937
• Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
• Debut movie: Rodan

George Takei became famous when he played Hikaru Sulu in a television series titled Star Trek. He is among the most successful Japanese-American actors, having been featured in various Hollywood movies. Takei also won a place on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his exceptional contribution to the entertainment industry.

10. Takuya Kimura

• Date of birth: 13 November 1972
• Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
• Debut movie: About Her Brother

Takuya is an actor, singer, and radio personality. He has starred in blockbuster films, including Love and Honor, Hero and Howl's Moving Castle.

11. Brian Tee

• Date of birth: 15 March 1977
• Birthplace: Okinawa, Japan
• Debut movie: What Planet Are You From?

Brian Tee, real name Jae-Beom Takata, excelled as one of the Japanese movie stars in Hollywood after acting in various films such as Chicago, The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, The Wolverine, Jurassic World, and Teenage Mutant: Ninja Turtles. His debut was when he appeared in the film What Planet Are You From? (2000).

12. Mako Iwamatsu

• Date of birth: 10 December 1933
• Birthplace: Kobe, Japan
• Debut movie: Never So Few

Mako Iwamatsu is remembered for his role in The Sand Pebbles, where he played as Po-Han. The film gave him Academy Awards and Golden Globe nominations. He also appeared in top hits like Conan the Barbarian, Conan the Destroyer, Seven Years in Tibet, and Pacific Overtures.

13. Kento Yamazaki

• Date of birth: 7 September 1994
• Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
• Debut movie: Atami no Sosakan

As one of the youngest Japanese movie stars, Kento Yamazaki made his name in Japan and Hollywood for his performance when he played L in Death Note and Minato Shindo in Good Doctor. His skills also gave him the Television Drama Academy Award.

14. Tadanobu Asano

• Date of birth: 27 November 1973
• Birth place: Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
• Debut movie: Mr. Kinpachi in Class 3B

Tadanobu Asano first appeared in Mr. Kinpachi in Class 3B when he was only six years old. Along his career path, he has worked with various movie directors and appeared in movies like Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan, Thor, and Thor: Ragnarok.

15. Takeshi Kaneshiro

• Date of birth: 11 October 1973
• Birthplace: Taipei, Taiwan
• Debut movie: Executioners

Takeshi Kaneshiro’s transition from pop star to actor was coupled with a lot of challenges. However, after making his debut with a movie titled Executioners, Takeshi became one of the popular Japanese actors in Hollywood.

He has also appeared in various global hits like Fallen Angels, Lost and Found, Chungking Express, and House of Flying Daggers.

16. Takeshi Kitano

• Date of birth: 18 January 1947
• Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
• Debut movie: Go, Go Second Time Virgin

Takeshi Kitano is a popular TV presenter, actor, filmmaker, and author. Although he started as a comedian, Takeshi Kitano became a successful movie director and hosted games like Takeshi Castle. He also made his Hollywood presence in movies like Blood and Bones, Violent Cop, and Outrage Coda.

17. Hiroshi Abe

• Date of birth: 22 June 1964
• Birth place: Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
• Debut movie: Yawara!

Hiroshi Abe made his debut with a movie titled Yawara! From there, he went ahead to feature in more Hollywood films like Godzilla 2000: Millennium, Chocolate, Still Walking, and After the Storm. These movies made him one of the most popular Japanese actors in Hollywood.

18. Sessue Hayakawa

• Date of birth: 10 June 1886
• Birthplace: Minamiboso, Japan
• Debut movie: The Typhoon

Sessue Hayakawa was among the first Japanese actors in Hollywood who gained stardom during the silent film era. He was famous for portraying attractive, dominant villains and became the first American male sex symbol. These traits made him the favourite actor among American women.

19. Tomohisa Yamashita

• Date of birth: 9 April 1985
• Birthplace: Funabashi, Chiba, Japan
• Debut movie: Dangerous Relationship

Tomohisa Yamashita became one of the top Japanese actors to make it to Hollywood after appearing in the TV series Dangerous Relationship. He was featured in movies like Operation Proposal Special, Monsters, and The Man from Toronto to further cement his acting profession.

20. Yuji Okumoto

• Date of birth: 20 April 1959
• Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, US
• Debut movie: I Do Mind Dying

Yuji Okumoto is known for his role Cobra Kai, Inception, and The Karate Kid Part II. He currently lives in Seattle, Washington, with his wife Angela and their three daughters.

It is almost impossible to tell the most famous Japanese actors who have made it in Hollywood. Japanese actors have graced the biggest global screens due to their amazing acting skills. Some of the other factors considered are their contribution to the film industry, active years, and overall global recognition.

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