Career

Some of Sanada's more famous movies are: Tasogare Seibei (The Twilight Samurai), Ring, Kaitō Ruby, and The Last Samurai. Sanada played Matsuda, the Japanese imperialist who befriends Ralph Fiennes' character in the 2005 film The White Countess directed by James Ivory. He also made an appearance in the Chinese film The Promise directed by Chen Kaige. Sanada has also been seen in Rush Hour 3 with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker and starred in 2007's The City of Your Final Destination, another James Ivory film, where he plays the younger lover of Anthony Hopkins's character.



Sanada joined the cast of the ABC show Lost in 2010 during its sixth and final season. In March 2011 he was named to the Keanu Reeves–led cast of 47 Ronin, the first English-language adaptation of the Chushingura legend, Japan's most famous tale of samurai loyalty and revenge.

Achievements

• Actor: (films) Game of Chance, 1965, Executioner, 1974, Yagyu Clan Conspiracy, 1978, Return to Jelucia, 1978, The Shogun Assassins, 1979, Time Slip, 1979, The Terrible Couple, 1980, Samurai Reincarnation, 1981 (Japanese Academy Newcomer of the Year award, 1982), The Kamikaze Adventures, 1981 (Japanese Academy Newcomer of the Year award, 1982), Burning Brave, 1981, Ninja in the Dragon's Den, 1982, Roaring Fire, 1982 (Japanese Academy Newcomer of the Year award, 1982), Lovers Lost, 1982, Iga Magic Story, 1982, Legend of the Eight Samurai, 1983, The Street of Desire, 1984, Dagger of Kamui, 1985, Royal Warriors, 1986, Cabaret, 1986, Sure-Fre Death 4: We Will Avenge You, 1987, Kaito Ruby, 1989 (Hochi Film award for Best Actor, 1988, Kinema Junpo award for Best Actor, 1989), Docchini Suruno, 1989, Yellow Fangs, 1990, Tsugumi, 1990, Keisho Sakazuki, 1992, Made in Japan, 1993 (Blue Ribbon award for Best Actor, 1994, Kinema Junpo award for Best Actor, 1994), The City That Never Sleeps: Shinjuku Shark, 1993 (Kinema Junpo award for Best Actor, 1994), Hero Interview, 1994, Scared People, 1994, Crest of Betrayal, 1994, Sharaku, 1995 (Hochi Film award for Best Actor), 1995, Kinema Junpo award for Best Actor, 1996, Blue Ribbon award for Best Actor, 1996), East Meets West, 1995 (Hochi Film award for Best Actor, 1995, Kinema Junpo award for Best Actor, 1996, Blue Ribbon award for Best Actor, 1996), Emergency Call, 1995 (Hochi Film award for Best Actor, 1995, Blue Ribbon award for Best Actor, 1996, Kinema Junpo award for Best Actor, 1996), The Spiral, 1998, Ring, 1998, The D-Slope Murder Case, 1998, Tadon to Chikuwa, 1998, Ring 2, 1999, Round About Midnight, 1999, First Love, 2000, Everybody's Love, 2001, Ying Yang Masters, 2001, Vengeance for Sale, 2001 (Mainichi Film Concours award for Best Actor, 2003, Kinema Junpo award for Best Actor, 2003), Twilight Samurai, 2002 (Mainichi Film Concours award for Best Actor, 2003, Kinema Junpo award for Best Actor, 2003, award of the Japanese Academy for Best Actor, 2003), The Last Samurai, 2003, Aegis, 2005 (Best Actor, Blue Ribbon Awards, 2006), The White Congress, 2005, The Promise, 2005; (television series) Message from Space: Galactic Battle, 1979, Kage no gundan The third, 1982, Super - Electron Bioman, 1984, High School Teacher, 1993, Tabuloido, 1998, Unmarried Family, 2001; (television films) Message from Outer Space, 1981, Abe ichizoku, 1995, A Story of Love, 1997, Shin hanshichi torimonochyou, 1997; (plays) King Lear, 1999—2000 (honorary Member British Empire)

Membership

• Japan Action Club (senior )

Connections

Wife:

Satomi Tezuka

Friend:

Jackie Chan

He has a long-standing friendship with Jackie Chan, although he did not star in a film with him before Rush Hour 3 in 2007.

Martial Arts Teacher:

Sonny Chiba