Akira Terao


Akira Terao is a Japanese musician, singer and movie actor. As of 2012, he is the only male actor to have received both the Japan Record Award and the Japan Academy Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role.

Early life

Terao was born in Yokohama in Japan, son of the actor and film director Jūkichi Uno. He attended schools Wako Gakuen, Hosei University Daini Senior High School, and graduated from the vocational school Bunka Gakuin.

Career

Singing career

In 1966, he debuted as a bassist of a group sounds band called :ja:%E3%82%B6%E3%83%BB%E3%82%B5%E3%83%99%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B8|The Savage. His solo debut album came out in 1970.
As a singer, Terao is known mostly for the 1981 hit song Ruby no Yubiwa and the album it was part of named ''Reflections, which sold 1.6 million copies in Japan.

Acting career

As an actor, he debuted in :ja:%E9%BB%92%E9%83%A8%E3%81%AE%E5%A4%AA%E9%99%BD|Chikadō no taiyō made, a film directed by Kei Kumai in 1968. In 1985, Terao worked under director Akira Kurosawa in Ran. Five years later he appeared as "I" in Kurosawa's Dreams. He has worked with director Takashi Koizumi in After the Rain and The Professor's Beloved Equation. As for dramas, Terao has acted with Kazunari Ninomiya in Yasashii Jikan as well as in the latest Takuya Kimura-helmed drama, Change. He won the award for best actor at the 47th Blue Ribbon Awards for Half a Confession. The promotional agencies to which he has belonged are Horipro, Ishihara International Productions, Inc. and his current personal agency Terao Music Offices.

Personal life

He was married to Bunjaku Han from 1973 to 1974. His current wife is Mayumi Hoshino. Terao is known for wearing sunglasses and for his expressions of nihilism. Because he has two moles on one cheek, he has the nickname of "hoppe", meaning "cheek".

Filmography

Films

Honours