Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Hiroyuki Sanada Biography

Birth Name:Hiroyuki Shimosawa

Birth Place:Tokyo, Japan

Profession Actor, Composer, Producer

Fast Facts

After his role the Shakespearean production of "King Lear," he received an honorary Member of the British Empire
Attended Nihon University, at which he was a part of the film department
Starred in his first film "Game of Chance" at age five, later joining the Japan Action Club at age 12
Quote: "Sometimes I'm doing a big movie, or sometimes I'm doing a TV show, but as an actor, it's almost the same thing for me․ If I'm doing action, or comedy, or something more heartfelt, it's a different approach, but it's all acting for me․"
Quote: "I was a child actor, so when I started filming when I was five years old, it was a long time ago․ It was a black and white film․ And then it changed to color film, and I was surprised and culture shocked when I was six or seven years old․"
Became well-known for his appearance in action movies, becoming famous as an action actor in "The Shogun's Samurai․"
Received the role of Mo Gik in "The Promise," for which he had to learn how to speak Mandarin
Was the first Japanese actor to appear with in a play with the Royal Shakespeare Co
After his appearance in "The Last Samurai," he has appeared in English-language dramas including "Lost" and "Speed Racer․"

Awards

1982Newcomer of the Year-: winner
1994Blue Ribbon Award-Best Actor: winner
1994Kinema Junpo Award-Best Actor: winner
1994Festival Prize-Best Actor: winner
1995Hochi Film Award-Best Actor: winner
1995Nikkan Sports Film Award-Best Actor: winner
1996Blue Ribbon Award-Best Actor: winner
1996Kinema Junpo Award-Best Actor: winner
2002Nikkan Sports Film Award-Best Actor: winner
2003Award of the Japanese Academy-Best Actor: winner
2003Kinema Junpo Award-Best Actor: winner
2003Mainichi Film Concours-Best Actor: winner
2024Astra TV Award-Best Actor in a Streaming Drama Series: winner
2024Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Actor: winner
2024Gotham TV Award-Outstanding Performance in a Limited Series: nominated
2024OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Drama Series: winner
2024Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: winner
2024Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Drama Series: winner
2024TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Drama: nominated
2025AACTA International Award-Best Actor in a Series: nominated
2025Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actor - Television: nominated
2025Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: winner
2025Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: winner
2025BAFTA TV Award-International: winner
2025Critics Choice Award-Best Actor in a Drama Series: winner
2025CCA Super Award-Best Actor in an Action Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie: winner
2025Independent Spirit Award-Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series: nominated
2025Golden Globe-Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series - Drama: winner
2025Norman Felton Award-Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama: winner
2025Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Series, Drama or Genre: winner