Japanese Famous People

Name: Joe Odagiri
Japanese Name: オダギリジョー
Occupation Category: Actor
Blood Type: O
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: 1976-Feb-16
Age: 36
Zodiac Sign: Aqurius
Height: 176cm (5'9")
Weight: 60kg (132lb)
Hometown: Tsuyama Okayama, Japan

Brief Introduction:
Odagiri Joe was born in Tsuyama Okayama prefecture a small town in central Japan renowned for its beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring. Though he was accepted by Kochi University he turned it down for an opportunity to study in the United States. He had originally intended to study movie directing at California State University in Fresno but mistakes in the application process landed him in acting classes. It may have been a blessing in disguise for two years studying in Fresno and later starring in a few stage performances in Japan Odagiri would find himself catapulted to fame in his role in the Kamen-Rider series playing the central character Godai Yuusuke. He became the predecessor of the “Ikemen Hero craze (literally “good-looking actors playing hero roles in popular TV series ).


Weblog [English]: Joe Odagiri Official Website in English
Weblog [Japanese]: Joe Odagiri Official Website in Japanese

Weblog: Not Available


Jikou Keisatsu (2006)
Fukigen na Jiin (2005)
Shinsengumi (2004)
Kaikyo wo Wataru Violin (2004)
Beginner (2003)
Satokibi Batake no Uta (2003)
Kao (2003)
Satorare (2002)
Tentai Kansoku (2002)
Hatsu Taiken (2002)
Le Parfum De La Jaolusie
Visual Battle 2 (2001)
Kamen Rider Kuuga TV Asahi (2000)


Tokyo Tower Okan to Boku to tokidoki Oton (2007)
Sad Vacation
Mushishi (2006)
Pavillion Sansyouuo (2006)
Yureru (2006)
The Uchouten Hotel (2006)
Maison de Himiko (2005)
Shinobi (2005)
Scrap Heaven (2005)
operetta tanuki goten (2005)
Yume no naka e (2005)
Synchrocity (2005)
In the pool (2005)
Big River (2005)
Black Kiss (2004)
Kono yo no soto e (2004)
Chi to Hone (2004)
Pacchigi! (2004)
Hazard (2003)
Akarui Mirai (2003)
Azumi (2003)
Mokka no koibito (2002)
Puratonikku sekusu aka Platonic Sex (2001)


Japan Academy Awards - Best Supporting Actor Award (2004)
Blue Ribbon Awards - Best Supporting Actor Award (2004)
Japan Academy Awards - Best New Actor Award (2003)


Odagiri Joe was born in Tsuyama Okayama prefecture a small town in central Japan renowned for its beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring. Though he was accepted by Kochi University he turned it down for an opportunity to study in the United States. He had originally intended to study movie directing at California State University in Fresno but mistakes in the application process landed him in acting classes. It may have been a blessing in disguise for two years studying in Fresno and later starring in a few stage performances in Japan Odagiri would find himself catapulted to fame in his role in the Kamen-Rider series playing the central character Godai Yuusuke. He became the predecessor of the “Ikemen Hero craze (literally “good-looking actors playing hero roles in popular TV series ).

Since then Odagiri has appeared in many movies and dramas. He won the Best New Actor Award at the 2003 Japan Academy Awards for his role as the uniquely bisexual (?) enemy in the film “ (Azumi) and in the following year was awarded the Best Supporting Actor Award for his electrifying performance in the internationally acclaimed director Kitano Takeshi’s 2004 film “血 骨(Blood and Bones) . Odagiri’s creative acting skills and strong presence in films have secured him a place in stardom. He is slated to appear in numerous more films in 2005 including “メゾン・ド・ヒミコ(Maison de Himiko) where he portrays a homosexual man in a relationship with the protagonist (played by Shiabasaki Kou)’s father.

Originally debuting with his birth name 田切譲 he changed his name from the Kanji form to the Katakana form (form used primarily in the translation of Western names) オダギリジョー since his first name is often misread as “Yuzuru” instead of “Jo”. (”Jo” is not the most common way to read his first name.)
Another reason for his name change is that he used the western name “Joe” when he attended California State University (CSU) as an arts major.
2004 Income: 100350000 Yen (approx)
2003 Income: 35430000 Y