Koyuki Kato, also known as Koyuki, is a renowned Japanese model and actress. With her impressive career spanning from modeling for popular magazines and advertisements to starring in Hollywood films, she has become a prominent figure in the industry. Koyuki gained international recognition for her role in ‘The Last Samurai’ alongside Tom Cruise and has since continued to excel in both movies and TV series. Her talent and versatility have earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious Nikkan Sports Film Award. Currently managed by Avex Management Inc., Koyuki remains an active and influential presence in the entertainment world.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Koyuki Kato
- Age: 47 Years, 47 Year Old Females
- Family: Spouse/Ex-: Kenichi Matsuyama (m. 2011)
- Models
- Actresses
- Height: 5’7″ (170 cm), 5’7″ Females
Career
Koyuki began her career as a professional model at the age of 19. She started by appearing on magazine covers and participating in fashion shows. This eventually led to her being selected for advertisements and within two years, she landed a role in a TV series. While her initial work focused more on modeling, she mentions in an interview that her career has now progressed to involve more acting than modeling.
Throughout her long-spanning career, Koyuki has been a part of many Japanese dramas, TV and magazine advertising campaigns, and international films. Her first film was ‘Keizoku’ in 2000, and she later appeared in Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s 2001 film ‘Circuit’. In 2003, she landed her first recurring role in the drama ‘Kimi Wa Pet’, which was an adaptation of Yayoi Ogawa’s manga series.
Koyuki made a name for herself when she starred as the heroine in the Hollywood movie ‘The Last Samurai’ (2004) opposite Tom Cruise. This role was one of the toughest in her career as she had to adapt the mannerisms of a woman from a different time period. Following her appearance in ‘The Last Samurai’, Koyuki began working in more movies, including Yukio Ninagawa’s ‘Warau Iemon’ (2004), Takashi Yamazaki’s ‘Always Sanchōme no Yūhi’ (2005), and ‘Always Zoku Sanchōme no Yūhi’ (2007). Her performance in ‘Always Sanchome no Yuhi’ even earned her a nomination at the Japanese Academy Awards. In 2009, she appeared in ‘Blood: The Last Vampire’, playing the arch-villain Onigen.
While her film career thrived, Koyuki also starred in several TV series, including ‘Beautiful Life’ (2000), ‘Ikebukuro West Gate Park’ (2000), ‘Tramps Like Us’ (2003), and ‘Engine’ (2005). She won the Best Supporting Actress Award at the 45th Television Drama Academy Awards for her role in ‘Engine’ (2005). In 2012, she served as one of the narrators at the Nation Berlin Exhibition.
Personal Life
Koyuki was born on December 18, 1976, in Zama, Kanagawa. She married Kenichi Matsuyama, her co-star in ‘Kamui Gaden’, in 2011 after dating for over three years. The couple has three children, with their first child born in January 2012, their second child in January 2013, and their third child in July 2015. Koyuki’s hobbies include reading, traveling, crafts, swimming, and sports. She played volleyball in school.
Despite being asked by many interviewers if she would want to pursue a career in Hollywood, Koyuki has expressed her preference for staying in Japan and working in Japanese movies.
Trivia
Koyuki decided to pursue modeling after a friend suggested that she enter a magazine competition. Although it started as a whim, she continued to pursue it while attending nursing school. Eventually, she decided to focus solely on modeling as she couldn’t juggle both responsibilities.