Biography
Hiroyuki Sanada (真田 広之, Sanada Hiroyuki, born Hiroyuki Shimosawa (下澤 廣之, Shimosawa Hiroyuki); 12 October 1960) is a Japanese actor from Tokyo. Before breaking in to the movie business, he trained at Sonny Chiba’s Japan Action Club hoping to one day become a martial arts action film star. Sanada appeared in many action films in the 70s and early 80s, but as it became clear he was actually a talented and well-rounded actor, he was able to branch out into all different types of roles in every genre. Today he is best known in the west for his involvement in big-budget Hollywood productions such as The Last Samurai and Rush Hour 3.
Awards & recognition
- Time 100 · 2025
- Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series · 2024
- Blue Ribbon Awards — Best Actor · 2006
- Japan Academy Prize — Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role · 2003
- Mainichi Film Award — Best Actor · 2002
Show all 13 awards →
- Blue Ribbon Awards — Best Actor · 1996
- Hochi Film Award · 1995
- Blue Ribbon Awards — Best Actor · 1994
- Hochi Film Award · 1988
- Elan d'or Award — Newcomer of the Year · 1982
- Japan Academy Prize — Newcomer of the Year · 1982
- Golden Arrow Award
- Member of the Order of the British Empire
Filmography47 titles
Shōgun
Message from Space: Galactic Wars
Avengers: Endgame
Mortal Kombat II
Westworld
Lost
Oda Nobunaga
Shadow Warriors
John Wick: Chapter 4
Revenge
The Last Samurai
Bullet Train
Marvel Studios Assembled: The Making of Hawkeye
The Ring
Mortal Kombat
Sunshine
Yagyu Clan Conspiracy
Minamata
The Last Ship
Royal Warriors
The Railway Man
Helix
The Executioner
Life
Mr. Holmes
Rush Hour 3
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Minions
The Wolverine
Speed Racer
Onmyoji: The Yin Yang Master
Fall Guy
Extant
Army of the Dead
The Catcher Was a Spy
47 Ronin
The White Countess
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Samurai Reincarnation
G.I. Samurai
Message from Space
Ring 2
The City of Your Final Destination
Legend of the Eight Samurai
The Promise
Ninja Wars
Spiral