Biography
Original Name: Maeda Sadao
Screen Name: Chiba Shinichi
Also known as: Sonny Chiba, JJ Sonny Chiba
Race: Japanese
Occupation: Actor
Birthday: 23 January 1939
Birth place: Fukuoka prefecture, Japan
Blood type: O
Height: 5' 9" (1.75 m) [3]
Family data: Chiba is the 2nd child of five children
Lunar Calendar year: Tiger
Zodiac: Aqurius
Father: Military test pilot
Resides: Los Angeles, US
Favorite food: Curry [1]
Favorite music artist: Shinji Tanimura [1]
Hobbies & interest: Bushido, Horse ridding, Skiing, Sports et cetera [1]
Martial Arts: [3] [7]
Ninjutsu - 4th Dan
Goju-ryu Karate - 2nd dan
Judo - 2nd Dan
Kendo - 1st Dan
Shorinji Kenpo - 1st Dan
Family members whom are also actors
Brother: Jirô Chiba
Daughter: Manase Juri
Students:
Hiroyuki Sanada
Etsuko Shihomi
Spouse:
Youko Nogiwa (1967-1994 divorced), 1 child [7]
Tamami ?? (1995-present) 2 children [5] [7]
Personal Quotes:
"An actor's body should be full of emotions, whether it is happiness or sorrow, pain or joy, enraged or elated. You
have to express yourself with your whole body. Japanese actors don't normally do this. What I'm doing as an action
star is what every actor should be doing. Action is drama. If we cannot make the audience laugh, smile or cry
with us, we are not actors. That may be idealistic -- but it's true."
Trademark: X-ray Punch in "The Street Fighter" and also in Hong Kong movie "The Storm Riders"
Timeline: [1] [3] [7] [9]
1943 - Moved to Chiba prefecture, Kimitsu City, Japan.
1957 - Enrolled in Nihontaiikudaigaku University.
Studied with Masatatsu Oyama.
1959 - Joined Toei Co. Ltd (discovered in "New Face Competition" 6th season, talent search).
1960 - Changed his name to Sonny Chiba, in association with Toyota advertising campaign for the car "Sunny-S".
1960 - Began acting career, cast primary in crime thrillers.
1969 - Founder of JAC (Japan Action Club).
1973 - Established as a martial art action star begining with the international hit "The Street Fighter" 1974
starring as Terry Tsurugi.
1980 - Began overseas acting career.
Next two decades - has performed in many films, tv series, and more...
Awards: 1 win, 3 nominations.
[4]
2004 - Nominated for Best Supporting Actor (Kill Bill Vol.1 2003)
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films
2004 - Won Outstanding Achievment in Choreography - Fight (Kill Bill vol.2 2004)
American Choreography Awards, USA.
1999 - Nominated for Best Actor (The Storm Riders - Fung Wan: Hung Ba Tin Ha 1998)
Hong Kong Film Awards
[4] [6]
1979 - Nominated for Best Supporting Actor (Yagyuu Ichizoku no Inbou 1978)
Awards of the Japanese Academy.
Filmography
References
1. http://www.jjchiba.com/html_j/profile.html Retrieved in Sep 2005.
2. http://www.zerorange.com/talent/chiba_1.html
3. http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0002002/bio
4. http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0002002/awards
5. http://www.nikkansports.com/ns/entertainment/interview/2003/sun030330.html Retrieved on May 2003,
Sonny Chiba talks about his career, family life and the show "The New Shadow Army".
6. http://homepage3.nifty.com/uchikawa/awards1.html#18 Retrieved in May 2005.
7. http://www.henshinonline.com/chiba.html Retreived in 2006/2007.
8. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonny_Chiba
9. http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8D%83%E8%91%89%E7%9C%9F%E4%B8%80
