is a Japanese actor.

Biography

Early life

Sanada was born in Tokyo, Japan. He began training with Sonny Chiba's Japan Action Club. Originally aiming to be an action star, he developed good all-round martial arts ability.

Career

Sanada was first noticed as a serious actor in the movie "Mahjong Hourouki" directed by Makoto Wada. Wada and Sanada's relationship is similar to that of John Huston and Humphrey Bogart and since then Sanada has acted in every one of Wada's movies. Those works are filled with a sense of humor and nostalgic attachment for classic movies. He has established himself as a character actor who can play many different roles. Some of his most famous movies are:
Tasogare Seibei (The Twilight Samurai), Ring, Kaitou Rubi and The Last Samurai.