Ken Watanabe Net Worth

Ken Watanabe net worth is
$20 Million

Kensaku Watanabe was born on the 21st October 1959 in Koide, Niigata, Japan, and is an actor who, as Ken Watanabe, is internationally recognized for his roles in Hollywood blockbusters such as “The Last Samurai” (2003), “Batman Begins” (2005) and “Inception” (2010).

Have you ever wondered how much wealth this Japanese actor has accumulated so far? How rich Ken Watanabe is? According to sources, it is estimated that the total of Ken Watanabe’s net worth, as of mid-2017, revolves around the sum of $20 million, acquired through his acting career which has been active since 1979.

Ken Watanabe Net Worth $20 million

Ken was born into a family of teachers, and due to his parents’ profession, he spent his childhood often relocating across the entire width Japan. His interest in music dates back to his early age, when he learned to play trumpet, which he continued to play during his high school days at Niigata Prefectural High School, from which he matriculated in 1978. He later enrolled at Musashino Academia Musicae but, because of his fathers illness, was forced to abandoned it. Later that year, Ken joined the theater troupe named En, and shortly after was cast for the main role in Yukio Ninagawa’s stage play “Shimodani Mannencho Monogatari”. This engagement helped Ken Watanabe to establish himself as a young, promising actor, and also provided the basis for his current net worth.

Ken’s debut TV appearance occurred in 1982, in “Michinaru Hanran” and subsequently in a role of samurai in the “Mibu no koiuta” TV series. His big screen debut came in 1984 with the appearance in war drama “MacArthur’s Children”. These were followed by several other appearances as a samurai warrior, including the leading role of Date Masamune in 50 episodes of “Dokugan-ryu Masamune” TV series in 1987. Through the 1990s, Watanabe managed to keep a continuous streak of acting engagements, appearing in several popular Japanese movies such as “Oda Nobunaga” (1992) and “Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald” (1997), as well as TV series which include “Baian the Assassin” and “Gokenin Zankurō”. All these ventures made a huge impact on Ken Watanabe’s net worth.

The international breakthrough in Ken’s acting career occurred in 2003, when has was cast for the role of samurai Lord Moritsugu Katsumoto in Edward Zwick’s epic movie, the historical drama “The Last Samurai”, opposite Tom Cruise in the leading role. For this performance, Watanabe was honored with the prestigious Academy Award as well as Golden Globe Award nominations. In 2005, Ken starred alongside Christian Bale, Liam Neeson, Micheal Caine and Gary Oldman in Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster “Batman Begins”, as well as Chairman Iwamura in the triple Oscar-winning drama “Memoirs of a Geisha”. These were followed by appearances in “Memories of Tomorrow”, for which he was rewarded with the Japanese Academy Award, and the role of General Kuribayashi in Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-winning war drama “Letters from Iwo Jima”. It is certain that all these appearances helped Ken Watanabe to dramatically increase his worldwide popularity as well as net worth.

Watanabe has since added several more notable roles to his acting portfolio, including appearances in movies such as “Shanghai” (2010), “Inception” (2010), “Unforgiven” (2013) as well as blockbusters “Godzilla” (2014) and “Transformers: Age of Extinction” (2014). Doubtlessly, all these achievements have helped Ken Watanabe to further increase his wealth.

When it comes to his personal life, Ken Watanabe has married twice – between 1983 and 2005, he was married to Yumiko with whom he has two children, son Dai who is also an actor and daughter Anne who is a fashion model. Since December 2005, he has been married to a colleague, actress and producer, Kaho Minami.

In the early 1990s, Ken was diagnosed with leukemia, but managed to recover from it, while in 2016 he was faced with a stomach cancer diagnosis.


Full NameKen Watanabe
Net Worth$20 Million
Date Of BirthOctober 21, 1959
Place Of BirthKoide, Japan
Height6 ft (1.84 m)
ProfessionActor
NationalityJapanese
SpouseKaho Minami (m. 2005), Yumiko Watanabe (m. 1983–2005)
ChildrenAnne Watanabe, Dai Watanabe
ParentsRyoichi Watanabe
SiblingsJun Watanabe
NicknamesWatanabe Ken , Kensaku Watanabe , Ken , Watanabe Kensaku
Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Ken-Watanabe-129387463802413
Twitterhttps://twitter.com/watanabe
IMDBhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0913822/
AwardsJapan Academy Prize for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
NominationsAcademy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Tony Award for Best Lead Actor in a Musical, Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture, Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, Screen Actor...
MoviesInception, Godzilla, The Last Samurai, Batman Begins, Letters from Iwo Jima, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Sea of Trees, Unforgiven, Memories of Tomorrow, Tampopo, Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant, Rage, The Unbroken, Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald, The Sea and Poison, Year One in the North, MacArthu...
TV ShowsSaka no Ue no Kumo, Suna no Utsuwa, Ikebukuro West Gate Park
#Quote
1With 'Letters from Iwo Jima,' then 'Memories of Tomorrow,' I reached a sort of turning point in my acting. I had poured so much of myself into those movies that I really had no idea where to go from there.
2If the script is good, the cast and director good, I'll go anywhere.
3About half the scripts sent to me feature characters I just can't identify with, particularly one-dimensional businessmen or, if it's a comedy, some absurd 10-year-old Japanese stereotype, some role related to IT or business... There's no point in getting mad about it; it's just the way things are.
4As a Japanese actor, I really want to work with a lot of actors and actresses in the world and many directors who have many different kinds of talents. I feel like nationally doesn't matter at all.
5Each director is different. Clint Eastwood and Chris Nolan are completely different, and I need to adjust to the story and character and the director and just my duty as an actor.
6I have no sense of myself as a sex symbol at all. But the meaning of sex symbol might be a little different in Japan to elsewhere. The Japanese version seems to come with a stronger emphasis on a sort of grownup or mature male charm. And if that's the case, then I guess I'm happy to hear it.
7I'm not a big star in Japan. I'm an actor. I have a very normal life. Four days a week, I cook at home. A star doesn't do that.
#Fact
1He owns Ken Watanabe Film Productions. One of the films produced is Harimao (1989), a film with about 3,000 Filipino talents and 200 Japanese, British and American actors.
2Was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 1989. Since then he had fallen ill only once in 1994, but is now a fully recovered actor.
3One of eight actors of Asian descent nominated for an Academy Award in an acting category. The others are Miyoshi Umeki who won Best Supporting Actress for Sayonara (1957), Sessue Hayakawa nominated for The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), Mako nominated for The Sand Pebbles (1966), Ben Kingsley who won Best Actor for Gandhi (1982), Haing S. Ngor who won Best Supporting Actor for The Killing Fields (1984), Pat Morita nominated for The Karate Kid (1984), and Rinko Kikuchi nominated for Babel (2006).
4Already extremely tall by Japanese standards, he gained a good amount of weight (about 20 pounds) to be an even more imposing presence for his role as "Katsumoto" in The Last Samurai (2003).
5Children: son, actor Dai Watanabe (born August 1st 1984) and daughter, Anne Watanabe (born 1986).

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Transformers: The Last Knight2017post-productionDrift (voice)
Shiawase no kioku2017TV Movie
Gonenme no hitori2016TV Movie
Ikari2016Yohei Maki
The Sea of Trees2015Takumi Nakamura
Oyaji no senaka2014TV Mini-Series
Hakugin Jack2014TV MovieReiji kurata
Transformers: Age of Extinction2014Drift (voice)
Godzilla2014Dr. Ishiro Serizawa
Yurusarezaru mono2013Jubee kamata
Makete, katsu: Sengo wo tsukutta otoko Yoshida Shigeru2012TV Mini-SeriesShigeru Yoshida
Hayabusa: Harukanaru kikan2012Shunichiro Yamaguchi
Ai inochi - Shinjuku Kabukicho Kakekomi Dera -2011TV MovieHirayama
Hei no naka no chûgakkô2010TV Movie
Inception2010Saito
Shanghai2010Tanaka
Tômawari no ame2010TV MovieSohei Fukumoto
Saka no ue no kumo2009TV SeriesNarration
Shizumanu taiyô2009Hajime Onchi
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant2009Mr. Tall
Keiji ichidai: Hiratsuka Hachibei no Shôwa jiken shi2009TV SeriesHachibei Hiratsuka
Hoshi hitotsu no yoru2007TV Movie
Letters from Iwo Jima2006General Kuribayashi
Memories of Tomorrow2006Masayuki Saeki
Memoirs of a Geisha2005Chairman
Batman Begins2005Video GameRa's al Ghul (voice)
Batman Begins2005Ra's Al Ghul
Kita no zeronen2005Hideaki Komatsubara
Suna no utsuwa2004TV SeriesSyuichiro Imanishi
The Last Samurai2003Katsumoto
Joshi keimusho higashi 3 gô tô 42003TV Movie
Itan no natsu2003TV MovieTatsumi
T.R.Y.2003Masanobu Azuma
Tô-san no natsumatsuri2002TV Movie
Chinmoku no aribai2002TV Movie
Hi wa mata noboru2002Okubo
Shin jingi naki tatakai/Bousatsu2002Fujimaki Hiroaki
Chûshingura 1/472001TV Movie
Sennen no koi - Hikaru Genji monogatari2001Fujiwara no Michinaga / Fujiwara no Nobutaka
Oboreru sakana2001Miyota
Hôjô Tokimune2001TV Series
Ningen no shômei 20012001TV Movie
Kochira Daisanshiyakaibu2001TV SeriesJiro Shimizu
Zawa-zawa Shimo-Kitazawa2000Ishida
Ikebukuro West Gate park2000TV SeriesYokoyama
Supêsutoraberâzu2000Sakamaki ("Crusher")
Hatsuru sokonaki2000TV Movie
Kizuna1998Detective Sako Akio
Tenamonya Shôsha1998
Rajio no jikan1997Raita Onuki, the truck driver
Gokenin Zankurô1997TV SeriesZankurô Matsudaira
Sushi kuinê 3: Nigire!! Tôkyô natsu no aji1996TV MovieShûzô
Tetsuko no heya1996TV SeriesCo-emcee
Kimitachi ga ite boku ga iru II1992TV MovieSenjûrô Fujiwara
Kimitachi ga ite boku ga iru1992TV MovieSenjûrô Fujiwara
Oda Nobunaga1992TV Movie
Bakumatsu jyunjyoden1991Ryouma Sakamoto
Takeda Shingen1990TV Mini-SeriesNarrator
Shikakenin Fujieda Baian1990TV Mini-SeriesBaian Fujieda
Baian the Assassin1990TV Mini-SeriesFujieda Baian
Harenochi kaminari1989TV Series
Dokugan-ryu Masamune1987TV SeriesDate Masamune
Machibugyo Nikki1987Mochizuki Koheita
The Sea and Poison1986Toda
Tampopo1985Gun
Kekkon annai misuterî1985Funayama Tetsuya / Masakazu Sekine
Setouchi shonen yakyu dan1984Tetsuo
Sanga moyu1984TV Series
Mibu no koiuta1983TV Series

Producer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Hayabusa: Harukanaru kikan2012co-executive producer
Unite for Japan2011Short executive producer
Memories of Tomorrow2006executive producer

Director

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Unite for Japan2011Short

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The 69th Annual Tony Awards2015TV Movie performer: "Shall We Dance?"

Miscellaneous

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Half Kenneth2009Short benefactor

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Sawako no asa2013-2017TV SeriesHimself
Oshare izumu2016TV SeriesHimself
Tetsuko no heya2009-2016TV SeriesHimself
The 69th Annual Tony Awards2015TV MovieHimself - Performer & Nominee: Best Leading Actor in a Musical
Godzilla: Force of Nature2014Video documentary shortHimself
Made in Hollywood2014TV SeriesHimself
Waratte iitomo!2009-2014TV SeriesHimself
The 37th Annual Japan Academy Awards2014TV SpecialHimself
News Zero2013TV SeriesHimself
Mezamashi terebi2013TV SeriesHimself
Pon!2013TV SeriesHimself
Bokura no jidai2013TV SeriesHimself
Behind the Seams: The 14th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards Special2012TV SpecialHimself
Unite for Japan2011ShortHimself
The 34th Annual Japan Academy Awards2011TV SpecialHimself / presenter
Janela Indiscreta2010TV SeriesHimself
HBO First Look2005-2010TV Series documentaryHimself
The 33rd Annual Japan Academy Awards2010TV SpecialHimself
ETV tokushû2007TV Series documentaryHimself
Earth2007DocumentaryNarrator (Japanese version, voice)
Live Earth2007TV Special documentaryHimself
Red Sun, Black Sand: The Making of 'Letters from Iwo Jima'2007Video documentary shortHimself / General Kuribayashi
100 Nen Interview2007TV SeriesHimself
The 79th Annual Academy Awards2007TV SpecialHimself - Co-Presenter: Foreign-Language Films Montage
Sekai ga moshi hyaku nin no mura dattara 32005TV MovieHimself - Narrator
Tetsuko no heya 30nen special2005TV SpecialGuest
Ashes and Snow2005DocumentaryJapanese Narrator (voice)
On the Set: Memoirs of a Geisha2005TV Movie documentaryHimself / Chairman
10th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards2004TV SpecialHimself
The 51st Annual NHK kôhaku uta gassen2000TV SpecialHimself
Making of 'Tampopo'1986Video documentaryHimself
Michinaru hanran1983TV Movie documentaryTakashi Takahata

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Alberto Iglesias, el músico fiel2006TV Movie documentaryThe Chairman (uncredited)

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2010Award of the Japanese AcademyAwards of the Japanese AcademyBest ActorShizumanu taiyô (2009)
2009Hochi Film AwardHochi Film AwardsBest ActorShizumanu taiyô (2009)
2007Award of the Japanese AcademyAwards of the Japanese AcademyBest ActorAshita no kioku (2006)
2007Blue Ribbon AwardBlue Ribbon AwardsBest ActorAshita no kioku (2006)
2007Kinema Junpo AwardKinema Junpo AwardsBest ActorAshita no kioku (2006)
2006Achievement in ActingHawaii International Film Festival
2006Hochi Film AwardHochi Film AwardsBest ActorAshita no kioku (2006)
2006Nikkan Sports Film AwardNikkan Sports Film AwardsBest ActorAshita no kioku (2006)
2004Special AwardBlue Ribbon AwardsThe Last Samurai (2003)

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2014Award of the Japanese AcademyAwards of the Japanese AcademyBest ActorYurusarezaru mono (2013)
2011COFCA AwardCentral Ohio Film Critics AssociationBest EnsembleInception (2010)
2011Gold Derby AwardGold Derby AwardsEnsemble CastInception (2010)
2010PFCS AwardPhoenix Film Critics Society AwardsBest Ensemble ActingInception (2010)
2010WAFCA AwardWashington DC Area Film Critics Association AwardsBest Acting EnsembleInception (2010)
2007Asian Film AwardAsian Film AwardsBest ActorAshita no kioku (2006)
2004OscarAcademy Awards, USABest Actor in a Supporting RoleThe Last Samurai (2003)
2004Golden GlobeGolden Globes, USABest Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion PictureThe Last Samurai (2003)
2004Saturn AwardAcademy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USABest Supporting ActorThe Last Samurai (2003)
2004Critics Choice AwardBroadcast Film Critics Association AwardsBest Supporting ActorThe Last Samurai (2003)
2004IOMAItalian Online Movie Awards (IOMA)Best Supporting Actor (Miglior attore non protagonista)The Last Samurai (2003)
2004Sierra AwardLas Vegas Film Critics Society AwardsBest Supporting ActorThe Last Samurai (2003)
2004PFCS AwardPhoenix Film Critics Society AwardsBest Performance by an Actor in a Supporting RoleThe Last Samurai (2003)
2004Golden Satellite AwardSatellite AwardsBest Actor in a Supporting Role, DramaThe Last Samurai (2003)
2004ActorScreen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting RoleThe Last Samurai (2003)
2003Award of the Japanese AcademyAwards of the Japanese AcademyBest Supporting ActorHi wa mata noboru (2002)
2003WAFCA AwardWashington DC Area Film Critics Association AwardsBest Supporting ActorThe Last Samurai (2003)
2002Award of the Japanese AcademyAwards of the Japanese AcademyBest Supporting ActorSennen no koi - Hikaru Genji monogatari (2001)
1999Award of the Japanese AcademyAwards of the Japanese AcademyBest Supporting ActorKizuna (1998)

3rd Place Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2004DFWFCA AwardDallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association AwardsBest Supporting ActorThe Last Samurai (2003)

Known for movies

Source
IMDB Wikipedia

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