Masanobu Ando

Biography

Masanobu Ando (安藤 政信, Andō Masanobu), born on May 19, 1975, in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, is a renowned actor and director known for his versatility in both film and television. He gained significant recognition with his role in Takeshi Kitano's 1996 film, Kids Return, which earned him the Film Academy of Japan's Best New Actor Award.

Ando's career spans a wide array of characters, showcasing his ability to portray diverse roles ranging from a mentally challenged individual in Innocent World to a bank robber in Space Travelers and Drive. His performance as Kazuo Kiriyama, a cold-blooded killer in the controversial film Battle Royale (2000), stands out as one of his most notable roles. Additionally, he appeared in the 2003 parody Tokyo 10+01, where he played an art forger.

Beyond acting, Ando has participated in advertising campaigns for popular brands like Pocky, Toyota, and DoCoMo mobile phones. He ventured into directing in 2003 with his debut film, Adagietto. Sehr langsam, featuring actress Kumiko Aso, which is part of Hiroyuki Nakano's Peacedelic short film compilation. Ando also stars in the short film 県道スター, loosely translated as "Prefectural Road Star."

In his leisure time, Ando enjoys photography and shopping, adding a personal touch to his creative pursuits.