Akira Terao

Born in 1947 as a son of Jukichi Uno, famed actor who started Mingei (major stage play company). Debuted as a musician in a rock band "The Savage" in 1966. His biggest musical success was in 1981, when he won "Japan Record Award" with his mega-hit song "Ruby Ring".

He started acting in 1968 in "Kurobe no Taiyo". In his younger days, the pressure as the son of a famous actor was heavy on him and made him struggle for a rather long time, although he was a regular in Akira Kurosawa's newer films, such as "Ran" (85), "Yume" (90), and "Maadadayo" (93), as well as many other movies and TV dramas.

He started to play the movie main roles in his 50's, and established his top position in 1999 when he won many actor awards including Japan Academy with "When the Rain Lifts", which was appropriately the legacy of Akira Kurosawa. His 2004 "Half a Confession" brought him another Japan Academy Best Actor award.

His latest work is an important supporting role in "Aegis" (scheduled to be released in July 30, 2005), and he still is active in misic as well, recently holding a rock concert in Tokyo.

Japan Academy Award Best Actor
Won: 2005 ("Half a Confession"), 2001 ("When the Rain Lifts")
Nominated: 2007 ("Professor and his Bloved Equasion), 2003 ("Amidado Dayori"), 1998 ("Shitsu-rakuen", supporing actor)