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Masato Sakai
Masato Sakai International Drama Festival in Tokyo 2014 2.png
Born (1973-10-14) October 14, 1973 (age 51)
Kobe, Japan
ancestral home: Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
Occupation Actor
Years active 1992–present
Spouse(s)
Miho Kanno
(m. 2013)
Children 2

Masato Sakai (堺 雅人) is a Japanese actor. Since the success of Naoki Hanzawa (2013), he has become one of the most famous actors in Japan.

Career

Sakai aspired to become a bureaucrat until high school, but when he entered university, he decided to pursue a career as an actor.

He won the award for best actor at the 31st Yokohama Film Festival for The Wonderful World of Captain Kuhio and The Chef of South Polar and the award for best supporting actor at the 2008 Nikkan Sports Film Award, at the 33rd Hochi Film Award and at the 51st Blue Ribbon Awards. He also received a nomination for best supporting actor at the 32nd Japan Academy Film Prize.

Personal life

He is married to Japanese actress and J-pop singer Miho Kanno. On August 14, 2015, he announced the birth of his first son.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2000 Himawari Yuichi Hirano
2007 The Wall Man Nishina Lead role
2008 After School Kazuki Kimura
2009 The Chef of South Polar Nishimura Lead role
The Wonderful World of Captain Kuhio Captain Kuhio Lead role
2017 Destiny: The Tale of Kamakura Masakazu Isshiki Lead role
2018 Sakura Guardian in the North Shūjirō Ezure
2022 Dr. Coto's Clinic 2022 Kei Narumi Cameo appearance

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2000 Audrey Hideki Sugimoto Asadora
2004 Shinsengumi! Yamanami Keisuke Taiga drama
2008 Atsuhime Tokugawa Iesada Taiga drama
2011 Antarctica Himuro Haruhiko
2012–2013 Legal High Kensuke Komikado Lead role; 2 seasons
2013–2020 Naoki Hanzawa Naoki Hanzawa Lead role; 2 seasons
2015 Dr. Rintaro, Psychiatrist Dr. Rintarō Hino Lead role
2016 Sanada Maru Sanada Yukimura Lead role; Taiga drama
2023 Vivant Yūsuke Nogi Lead role

Dubbing

Live-action
Year Title Role Voice dub for Notes Ref.
2018 Christopher Robin Christopher Robin Ewan McGregor
Animation
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2024 Migration Mack Mallard
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