Naoto Takenaka

Naoto Takenaka (竹中 直人, Takenaka Naoto, born March 20 1956) is a Japanese actor, comedian, singer, and director from Yokohama. One of his most notable roles was Hideyoshi in the 1999 NHK Taiga drama of the same name.

A veteran of almost a hundred films, he has been nominated for ten Japanese Academy Awards, winning Best Supporting Actor awards for Shiko funjatta (Sumo Do, Sumo Don't), East Meets West, and Shall we Dansu?. He also did the voice of Puss in Boots in the Japanese dub of the Shrek films.

Selected filmography

Director and actor

2001: Rendan (Quartet for Two)

1997: Tokyo biyori

1994: 119 (Quiet days of firemen)

1991: Muno no hito (Nowhere Man)

Actor

2008: 4 Shimai Tantei Dan

2008: Kurosagi

2007: 26 Years Diary

2006: Catch a wave

2006: The School of Water Business

2006: Midnight Sun

2006: Nodame Cantabile

2005: Sayonara Color

2004: Swing girls

2003: Good Luck!!

2003: Azumi

2002: Ping Pong

2001: The Happiness of the Katakuris

2001: Waterboys

2000: Sanmon yakusha (By Player)

1996: Shall we dansu?

1995: East Meets West

1995: Gonin

1995: Tokyo Fist

1994: Rampo

1992: Shiko funjatta (Sumo Do, Sumo Don't)

1991: Hiruko the Goblin

1989: Fancy Dance

External links

• Naoto Takenaka at IMDb