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Born on April 21st 1970, Shigeo Kobayashi was raised in Ebisu,
Tokyo. He attended the reputable school of Keio throughout his academic years,
from Keio Gijyuku Yochisha Elementary School to Keio University, excelling in
sports and academics. He was always athletic, his interests ranging from
swimming to extracurricular activities such as the school sports teams of rugby,
jyudo, baseball, and football.
The only career path that Shigeo had ever
regarded as an option besides acting was when he met the former WBA Jr.flyweight
boxing world champion Tokashiki on a movie set, when Shigeo first began pursuing
his acting career. Fascinated by the sport, Shigeo obtained a professional
license for boxing. Since he chose to pursue his childhood dream of becoming an
actor, he has not experienced any official boxing matches, but continues to look
after the young fighters in the Tokashiki Gym.Shigeo’s interests also include
traveling, and as a young child his parents have taken him to many parts of the
world including the United States and Australia. Growing up, he had many friends
in international schools such as St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart in Tokyo, and
though he is not a native speaker he has always been able to communicate freely
in English.
Once in college, Shigeo began to fully pursue his acting
career. He was 19 years old. He became the DESHI (apprentice) of famed period
drama star Kinnosuke Yorozuya, also known as a kabuki actor who is born in a
traditional kabuki actor family. Under Kinnosuke, Shigeo studied not only acting
but TATE (sword fighting) and also the attitude of mind as an actor. As an
apprentice he appeared in all of Kinnosuke’s theater shows and obtained
firsthand stage experience. Though Kinnosuke was a very strict man, he was also
very good to Shigeo. Kinnosuke passed away in 1997, but Shigeo will always
treasure his memories and experiences with Kinnosuke.
After several
appearances in theater period dramas, Shigeo began working in television and
movies, as Kinnosuke had. Shigeo became acquainted with actor Ken Takakura after
working with him in a TV drama “KEIJI” (“detective”), and made appearances in
Ken Takakura films such as “POPPOYA” (1999) and “HOTARU” (2001).
Shigeo
has been cast in a wide variety of roles, ranging from yakuza to samurai, war
soldiers and detectives and has appeared in more than 60 television shows and
movies. Shigeo’s roles as yakuza and war soldiers are especially highly
acclaimed, and he is known for his rich knowledge regarding yakuza, samurai and
wartime .
Shigeo’s grandfather died in China fighting in World War II
and his father was also a fighting man. Shigeo is a fighter in many aspects,
with a tranquil samurai spirit. Through his acting, Shigeo wishes to express the
sorrow and happiness that lies deep in the heart.
That is the man he
wishes to be.
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