Portrait of Ken Watanabe

Ken Watanabe

Bio: Ken Watanabe (born October 21, 1959) is a Japanese stage, film, and television actor. To English-speaking audiences he is known for playing tragic hero characters, such as General Tadamichi Kuribayashi in Letters from Iwo Jima and Lord Katsumoto Moritsugu in The Last Samurai, for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
Born: Wed, Oct 21 1959
Birthplace: Koide, Niigata, Japan
Ken Watanabe is 65 years old
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Movies (Acting Roles)

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Poster of 盤上の向日葵
盤上の向日葵
Ken Watanabe will be 66 in 盤上の向日葵
Movie Released: Fri, Oct 31 2025
Poster of National Treasure
National Treasure
Ken Watanabe will be 65 in National Treasure
Movie Released: Fri, Jun 06 2025
Poster of All Lives
All Lives
Ken Watanabe was 64 in All Lives
Movie Released: Mon, May 06 2024
Poster of Kensuke's Kingdom
Kensuke's Kingdom
Ken Watanabe was 64 in Kensuke's Kingdom as 'Kensuke (voice)'.
Movie Released: Wed, Feb 07 2024
Poster of True Love: Making The Creator
True Love: Making The Creator
Ken Watanabe was 64 in True Love: Making The Creator as 'Self'.
Movie Released: Tue, Nov 14 2023
Poster of The Creator
The Creator
Ken Watanabe was 63 in The Creator as 'Harun'.
Movie Released: Wed, Sep 27 2023
Poster of 劇場の灯を消すな！PARCO劇場編
劇場の灯を消すな！PARCO劇場編
Ken Watanabe was 61 in 劇場の灯を消すな！PARCO劇場編
Movie Released: Sat, Oct 31 2020
Poster of Fukushima 50
Fukushima 50
Ken Watanabe was 60 in Fukushima 50 as 'Masao Yoshida'.
Movie Released: Fri, Mar 06 2020
Poster of Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Ken Watanabe was 59 in Godzilla: King of the Monsters as 'Dr. Ishiro Serizawa'.
Movie Released: Wed, May 29 2019
Poster of Pokémon Detective Pikachu
Pokémon Detective Pikachu
Ken Watanabe was 59 in Pokémon Detective Pikachu as 'Lieutenant Hide Yoshida'.
Movie Released: Fri, May 03 2019
Poster of An Artist of the Floating World
An Artist of the Floating World
Ken Watanabe was 59 in An Artist of the Floating World as 'Ono Masuji'.
Movie Released: Sat, Mar 30 2019
Poster of The King and I
The King and I
Ken Watanabe was 59 in The King and I as 'The King of Siam'.
Movie Released: Thu, Nov 29 2018
Poster of Bel Canto
Bel Canto
Ken Watanabe was 58 in Bel Canto as 'Katsumi Hosokawa'.
Movie Released: Thu, Sep 13 2018
Poster of Isle of Dogs
Isle of Dogs
Ken Watanabe was 58 in Isle of Dogs as 'Head Surgeon (voice)'.
Movie Released: Fri, Mar 23 2018
Poster of 7 Guardians of the Tomb
7 Guardians of the Tomb
Ken Watanabe was 58 in 7 Guardians of the Tomb as 'Father'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jan 19 2018
Poster of Transformers: The Last Knight
Transformers: The Last Knight
Ken Watanabe was 57 in Transformers: The Last Knight as 'Drift (voice)'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jun 16 2017
Poster of Dirty, Clean, & Inbetween
Dirty, Clean, & Inbetween
Ken Watanabe was 57 in Dirty, Clean, & Inbetween as 'Restaurant Patron'.
Movie Released: Sat, Jan 28 2017
Poster of The Memories of Happiness
The Memories of Happiness
Ken Watanabe was 57 in The Memories of Happiness as 'Taro Miura'.
Movie Released: Sun, Jan 08 2017
Poster of Rage
Rage
Ken Watanabe was 56 in Rage as 'Yohei Maki'.
Movie Released: Sat, Sep 17 2016
Poster of The Sea of Trees
The Sea of Trees
Ken Watanabe was 56 in The Sea of Trees as 'Takumi Nakamura'.
Movie Released: Wed, Apr 27 2016
Poster of Evolution Within Extinction
Evolution Within Extinction
Ken Watanabe was 54 in Evolution Within Extinction as 'Self'.
Movie Released: Tue, Sep 30 2014
Poster of Snow Jack
Snow Jack
Ken Watanabe was 54 in Snow Jack as 'Reiji Kurata'.
Movie Released: Sat, Aug 02 2014
Poster of Transformers: Age of Extinction
Transformers: Age of Extinction
Ken Watanabe was 54 in Transformers: Age of Extinction as 'Drift (voice)'.
Movie Released: Wed, Jun 25 2014
Poster of Godzilla
Godzilla
Ken Watanabe was 54 in Godzilla as 'Dr. Ishiro Serizawa'.
Movie Released: Wed, May 14 2014
Poster of Unforgiven
Unforgiven
Ken Watanabe was 53 in Unforgiven as 'Jubee Kamata'.
Movie Released: Fri, Sep 13 2013
Poster of Hayabusa: The Long Voyage Home
Hayabusa: The Long Voyage Home
Ken Watanabe was 52 in Hayabusa: The Long Voyage Home as 'Junichiro Kawaguchi'.
Movie Released: Sat, Feb 11 2012
Poster of Ai inochi - Shinjuku Kabukicho Kakekomi Dera -
Ai inochi - Shinjuku Kabukicho Kakekomi Dera -
Ken Watanabe was 51 in Ai inochi - Shinjuku Kabukicho Kakekomi Dera -
Movie Released: Sat, Jan 01 2011
Poster of A School Behind Bars
A School Behind Bars
Ken Watanabe was 50 in A School Behind Bars
Movie Released: Mon, Oct 11 2010
Poster of Inception
Inception
Ken Watanabe was 50 in Inception as 'Saito'.
Movie Released: Thu, Jul 15 2010
Poster of Shanghai
Shanghai
Ken Watanabe was 50 in Shanghai as 'Tanaka'.
Movie Released: Thu, Jun 10 2010
Poster of The Unbroken
The Unbroken
Ken Watanabe was 50 in The Unbroken as 'Hajime Onchi'.
Movie Released: Fri, Oct 23 2009
Poster of Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant
Ken Watanabe was 50 in Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant as 'Mr. Tall'.
Movie Released: Fri, Oct 23 2009
Poster of Earth
Earth
Ken Watanabe was 47 in Earth as 'Narrator (voice)'.
Movie Released: Wed, Oct 10 2007
Poster of Letters from Iwo Jima
Letters from Iwo Jima
Ken Watanabe was 47 in Letters from Iwo Jima as 'General Tadamichi Kuribayashi'.
Movie Released: Sat, Dec 09 2006
Poster of Memories of Tomorrow
Memories of Tomorrow
Ken Watanabe was 46 in Memories of Tomorrow as 'Masayuki Saeki'.
Movie Released: Sat, May 13 2006
Poster of Memoirs of a Geisha
Memoirs of a Geisha
Ken Watanabe was 46 in Memoirs of a Geisha as 'Chairman'.
Movie Released: Tue, Dec 06 2005
Poster of Batman Begins
Batman Begins
Ken Watanabe was 45 in Batman Begins as 'Ra's al Ghul'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jun 10 2005
Poster of Year One in the North
Year One in the North
Ken Watanabe was 45 in Year One in the North as 'Komatsubara Hideaki'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jan 14 2005
Poster of The Last Samurai
The Last Samurai
Ken Watanabe was 44 in The Last Samurai as 'Moritsugu Katsumoto'.
Movie Released: Fri, Dec 05 2003
Poster of Another Battle/Conspiracy
Another Battle/Conspiracy
Ken Watanabe was 43 in Another Battle/Conspiracy as 'Fujimaki Hiroaki'.
Movie Released: Sat, Feb 15 2003
Poster of T.R.Y.
T.R.Y.
Ken Watanabe was 43 in T.R.Y. as 'Masanobu Azuma'.
Movie Released: Sat, Jan 11 2003
Poster of Dawn of a New Day: The Man Behind VHS
Dawn of a New Day: The Man Behind VHS
Ken Watanabe was 42 in Dawn of a New Day: The Man Behind VHS as 'Okubo'.
Movie Released: Sun, Jun 16 2002
Poster of Drowning Fish
Drowning Fish
Ken Watanabe was 41 in Drowning Fish as 'Miyota'.
Movie Released: Sat, Feb 03 2001
Poster of The Whispered City
The Whispered City
Ken Watanabe was 40 in The Whispered City as 'Ishida'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jul 07 2000
Poster of Space Travelers
Space Travelers
Ken Watanabe was 40 in Space Travelers as 'Sakamaki ("Crusher")'.
Movie Released: Sat, Apr 08 2000
Poster of Bonds
Bonds
Ken Watanabe was 38 in Bonds as 'Detective Sako Akio'.
Movie Released: Sat, Jun 06 1998
Poster of Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald
Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald
Ken Watanabe was 38 in Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald as 'Raita Onuki'.
Movie Released: Sat, Nov 08 1997
Poster of Baian the Assassin: Showdown
Baian the Assassin: Showdown
Ken Watanabe was 33 in Baian the Assassin: Showdown as 'Dr. Baian'.
Movie Released: Wed, Oct 06 1993
Poster of Hanzo, the Razor
Hanzo, the Razor
Ken Watanabe was 33 in Hanzo, the Razor
Movie Released: Fri, Jan 01 1993
Poster of Chronicle of the Town Magistrate
Chronicle of the Town Magistrate
Ken Watanabe was 33 in Chronicle of the Town Magistrate as 'Mochizuki Koheita'.
Movie Released: Wed, Dec 23 1992
Poster of Oda Nobunaga
Oda Nobunaga
Ken Watanabe was 32 in Oda Nobunaga
Movie Released: Sun, Jan 05 1992
Poster of Ganryujima: Kojiro and Musashi
Ganryujima: Kojiro and Musashi
Ken Watanabe was 32 in Ganryujima: Kojiro and Musashi as 'Kojirō'.
Movie Released: Wed, Jan 01 1992
Poster of A Naive History of the Bakumatsu Era
A Naive History of the Bakumatsu Era
Ken Watanabe was 31 in A Naive History of the Bakumatsu Era as 'Ryoma Sakamoto'.
Movie Released: Sat, Jul 06 1991
Poster of Baian the Assassin
Baian the Assassin
Ken Watanabe was 31 in Baian the Assassin as 'Dr. Baian'.
Movie Released: Wed, Dec 26 1990
Poster of Commando Invasion
Commando Invasion
Ken Watanabe was 27 in Commando Invasion
Movie Released: Thu, Jan 01 1987
Poster of The Sea and Poison
The Sea and Poison
Ken Watanabe was 26 in The Sea and Poison as 'Toda'.
Movie Released: Fri, Oct 17 1986
Poster of The Making of "Tampopo"
The Making of "Tampopo"
Ken Watanabe was 26 in The Making of "Tampopo" as 'Self'.
Movie Released: Wed, Jan 01 1986
Poster of Tampopo
Tampopo
Ken Watanabe was 26 in Tampopo as 'Gun'.
Movie Released: Sat, Nov 23 1985
Poster of Kekkon Annai Mystery
Kekkon Annai Mystery
Ken Watanabe was 25 in Kekkon Annai Mystery
Movie Released: Sat, Jun 15 1985
Poster of MacArthur's Children
MacArthur's Children
Ken Watanabe was 24 in MacArthur's Children as 'Tetsuo Nakai'.
Movie Released: Sat, Jun 23 1984
Poster of Bruce's Fists Of Vengeance
Bruce's Fists Of Vengeance
Ken Watanabe was 20 in Bruce's Fists Of Vengeance as 'Samurai Master'.
Movie Released: Fri, Aug 22 1980
Poster of 第三の時効
第三の時効
Ken Watanabe will be 65+ in 第三の時効
Movie Released: Unreleased

TV Shows (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Ages in TV shows are based off the first air date and may not be accurate. View individual episode details for accurate ages
Poster of Unbound
Unbound
Ken Watanabe was 65+ in Unbound as 'Tamema Okitsugu'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Jan 05 2025
Poster of TRUE COLORS
TRUE COLORS
Ken Watanabe was 65+ in TRUE COLORS as 'Taichirou Tsujimura'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Jan 05 2025
Poster of Tokyo Vice
Tokyo Vice
Ken Watanabe was 62+ in Tokyo Vice as 'Hiroto Katagiri'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Apr 07 2022
Poster of Toubousha
Toubousha
Ken Watanabe was 61+ in Toubousha
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Dec 05 2020
Poster of Segodon
Segodon
Ken Watanabe was 58+ in Segodon as 'Shimazu Nariakira'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Jan 07 2018
Poster of NHK WORLD PRIME
NHK WORLD PRIME
Ken Watanabe was 57+ in NHK WORLD PRIME as 'Self - Presenter'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Oct 07 2017
Poster of 五年目のひとり
五年目のひとり
Ken Watanabe was 57+ in 五年目のひとり as '키자키 슈지'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Nov 19 2016
Poster of Back of Father
Back of Father
Ken Watanabe was 54+ in Back of Father as 'Takamura Kouji'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Jul 13 2014
Poster of Gyoretsuno dekiru sodanjo
Gyoretsuno dekiru sodanjo
Ken Watanabe was 51+ in Gyoretsuno dekiru sodanjo as 'Regular'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Oct 16 2011
Poster of Vessel of Sand
Vessel of Sand
Ken Watanabe was 44+ in Vessel of Sand as 'Shuichiro Imanishi'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Jan 18 2004
Poster of 川、いつか海へ 6つの愛の物語
川、いつか海へ 6つの愛の物語
Ken Watanabe was 44+ in 川、いつか海へ 6つの愛の物語
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Dec 21 2003
Poster of 藤田宜永サスペンス「異端の夏」
藤田宜永サスペンス「異端の夏」
Ken Watanabe was 43+ in 藤田宜永サスペンス「異端の夏」
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Jan 19 2003
Poster of Mibu Gishiden: Shinsengumi de Ichiban Tsuyokatta Otoko
Mibu Gishiden: Shinsengumi de Ichiban Tsuyokatta Otoko
Ken Watanabe was 43+ in Mibu Gishiden: Shinsengumi de Ichiban Tsuyokatta Otoko
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Dec 28 2002
Poster of 横山秀夫サスペンス シリーズ (TBS)
横山秀夫サスペンス シリーズ (TBS)
Ken Watanabe was 42+ in 横山秀夫サスペンス シリーズ (TBS)
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Jul 08 2002
Poster of 強行犯捜査第七係
強行犯捜査第七係
Ken Watanabe was 42+ in 強行犯捜査第七係
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Jun 29 2002
Poster of Hojo Tokimune
Hojo Tokimune
Ken Watanabe was 41+ in Hojo Tokimune as 'Hojo Tokiyori'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Jan 07 2001
Poster of Ikebukuro West Gate Park
Ikebukuro West Gate Park
Ken Watanabe was 40+ in Ikebukuro West Gate Park as 'Yokoyama'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Apr 14 2000
Poster of Shimei Tehai
Shimei Tehai
Ken Watanabe was 39+ in Shimei Tehai
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Tue, Nov 24 1998
Poster of Gokenin Zankuro
Gokenin Zankuro
Ken Watanabe was 35+ in Gokenin Zankuro as 'Zankuro Matsudaira'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Jan 09 1995
Poster of The Fire Still Burns
The Fire Still Burns
Ken Watanabe was 33+ in The Fire Still Burns as 'Fujiwara Tsunekiyo'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Jun 04 1993
Poster of Kagi-shi
Kagi-shi
Ken Watanabe was 33+ in Kagi-shi
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Mar 12 1993
Poster of Waga Machi
Waga Machi
Ken Watanabe was 32+ in Waga Machi
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Tue, Oct 13 1992
Poster of Izakaya Chōji
Izakaya Chōji
Ken Watanabe was 32+ in Izakaya Chōji
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Jul 10 1992
Poster of Baian the Assassin
Baian the Assassin
Ken Watanabe was 31+ in Baian the Assassin as 'Fujieda Baian'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Wed, Oct 09 1991
Poster of Musuko no Gokikan
Musuko no Gokikan
Ken Watanabe was 30+ in Musuko no Gokikan
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Oct 07 1990
Poster of Yonimo Kimyou na Monogatari Tokubetsuhen
Yonimo Kimyou na Monogatari Tokubetsuhen
Ken Watanabe was 30+ in Yonimo Kimyou na Monogatari Tokubetsuhen
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Oct 04 1990
Poster of Oda Nobunaga
Oda Nobunaga
Ken Watanabe was 29+ in Oda Nobunaga
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Jan 01 1989
Poster of Masamune Shogun
Masamune Shogun
Ken Watanabe was 27+ in Masamune Shogun as '伊達政宗'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Jan 04 1987
Poster of Hanekonma
Hanekonma
Ken Watanabe was 26+ in Hanekonma as 'Genzo Onodera'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Apr 07 1986