He began his career in the mid-1960s at the age of six, and gained prominence for his roles in Japanese and Hong Kong action films, later establishing himself as a dramatic actor. He is best known to international audiences for his roles as Ryuji Takayama in Ring (1998) where he played alongside Nanako Matsushima, who was also his co-star in a 1997 television drama A Story of Love.[3] His role as the Fool in a production of the Shakespeare play King Lear (1999-2000) gave him theatrical attention, and led to his appointment as an Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2002. Beginning in the 2000s, Sanada grew his Hollywood presence with such roles as Seibei Iguchi in The Twilight Samurai (2002), Ujio in The Last Samurai (2003), and Kenji in Rush Hour 3 (2007).
Born in Tokyo, he was scouted by an entertainer while playing with the son of the actor Kokichi Takada who lived in the same condominium. After working as a model for a magazine for young children, he joined the Himawari Theatre Group at the age of five. Originally planning to be an action movie star, he studied Shorinji Kempo and later took up Kyokushin kaikan karate.[4] He began playing baseball at age 8 as a catcher.[5] Sanada was mentored by actor Shinichi "Sonny" Chiba, and was a member of his Japan Action Club. By his teenage years knew how to act, fight, sing, dance, perform stunts, ride horseback, and had developed versatility.[6]
He made his film debut in 1966 in the ninkyo yakuza filmGame of Chance (浪曲子守唄) starring Chiba, reprising his role as Chiba's character's son in two sequels released the following year. After entering high school, following Chiba's advice, he decided to devote himself to his studies and withdrew from performing arts activities. In 1978, he resumed his performing arts activities in earnest after passing the audition for the movie Shogun's Samurai (柳生一族の陰謀). It was at this point that he changed his surname from Shimozawa (下澤) to Sanada (真田).[citation needed]
1982–1999: Hong Kong action films and Japanese character roles
In Japan, Sanada established himself as a character actor in the 1984 movie Mahjong Hourouki directed by Makoto Wada. In 1997 Sanada starred in a television drama A Story of Love, also known by its Japanese title Konna Koi no Hanashi, where he played the role of Shuichiro Harashima, a wealthy but lonely upper-class businessman who falls in love with a decorating designer from a lower class family played by Nanako Matsushima.[3] The following year in 1998, Sanada once again co-starred with Nanako Matsushima in a 1998 mystery thriller Ring (also known by its Japanese title, Ringu), where he played the role of Ryūji Takayama, the estranged former husband of Matsushima's character, who had a sixth sense that detects supernatural auras.[7]
1999–2002: Royal Shakespeare Company
In 1999 and 2000, he performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in their production of King Lear. For this, he was appointed an Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2002, citing his "contribution to spreading British culture in Japan."[6][8] Some media reports erroneously stated that Sanada received the honour for being the first Japanese actor to perform with the RSC, but Togo Igawa had joined the troupe earlier, in 1986.[9]
2021–present: Bullet Train, John Wick: Chapter 4, Shōgun
In 2022, Sanada had a major supporting role in Bullet Train opposite Brad Pitt.[17] In 2023, he portrayed Koji Shimazu, manager of the Osaka Continental Hotel, in John Wick: Chapter 4,[18] and was featured in a multi-commercial campaign introducing Mazda CX-90.[19][20]
In 2021, Sanada was announced as producer and part of the cast of the FX limited series Shōgun, adapted from the James Clavellnovel, playing the part of Lord Toranaga.[21][5] The series has received widespread global critical acclaim, with Sanada's role in the series considered a highlight among many reviewers.[22][23] In 2024 Sanada became the first Japanese actor or actress to win any Primetime Emmy, and specifically the first Japanese winner of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, for his role in Shōgun.[24][25] Sanada also was a recipient of the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series for his role as a producer for the series.[26]
From 1980 to 1991, Sanada released a series of albums and singles in Japan as a singer; several of these were tied to films, TV shows, or stage productions he was starring in. In 2010 and 2011, compilations were released covering his songs for movies and pop hits respectively.[citation needed]