# Akira Terao

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Akira Terao 寺尾 聰 Born Akira Terao (1947-05-18) May 18, 1947 (age 79)[1] Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan[1] Occupations Actor musician Years active 1964–present Spouses Bunjaku Han ​ ​ (m. 1973; div. 1974)​ Mayumi Hoshino Father Jūkichi Uno Musical career Instrument Vocals Musical artist

**Akira Terao** (寺尾 聰, *Terao Akira*; born May 18, 1947) is a Japanese musician, singer and actor. As of 2012, he is the only male actor to have received both the [Japan Record Award](/source/Japan_Record_Award) and the [Japan Academy Award](/source/Japan_Academy_Prize_(film)) for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role.

## Early life

Terao was born in [Yokohama](/source/Yokohama) ([Kanagawa prefecture](/source/Kanagawa_prefecture)) in Japan, son of the actor and film director [Jūkichi Uno](/source/J%C5%ABkichi_Uno).[1] He attended schools [Wako Gakuen](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wako_Gakuen&action=edit&redlink=1), [Hosei University Daini Senior High School](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hosei_University_Daini_Senior_High_School&action=edit&redlink=1), and graduated from the vocational school [Bunka Gakuin](/source/Bunka_Gakuin).[1]

## Career

### Singing career

In 1966, he debuted as a bassist of a [group sounds](/source/Group_sounds) band called *[The Savage](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%B6%E3%83%BB%E3%82%B5%E3%83%99%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B8)* (ザ・サベージ).[1][2][3] His solo debut album came out in 1970.[1]

As a singer, Terao is known mostly for the 1981 hit song *Ruby no Yubiwa* (ルビーの指環) and the album it was part of named *[Reflections](/source/Reflections_(Akira_Terao_album))* (リフレクションズ), which sold 1.6 million copies in Japan.[4][5][6]

### Acting career

As an actor, he debuted in *[The Sands of Kurobe](/source/The_Sands_of_Kurobe)*, a film directed by [Kei Kumai](/source/Kei_Kumai) in 1968.[7] In 1985, Terao worked under director [Akira Kurosawa](/source/Akira_Kurosawa) in *[Ran](/source/Ran_(film))*. Five years later he appeared as "I" in Kurosawa's *[Dreams](/source/Dreams_(1990_film))*. He has worked with director [Takashi Koizumi](/source/Takashi_Koizumi) in *[After the Rain](/source/After_the_Rain_(film))* and *[The Professor's Beloved Equation](/source/The_Professor's_Beloved_Equation_(film))*. As for dramas, Terao has acted with [Kazunari Ninomiya](/source/Kazunari_Ninomiya) in *Yasashii Jikan* as well as in the latest [Takuya Kimura](/source/Takuya_Kimura)-helmed drama, *Change* (spring 2008). He won the award for best actor at the 47th [Blue Ribbon Awards](/source/Blue_Ribbon_Awards) for *[Half a Confession](/source/Half_a_Confession)*.[8] The promotional agencies to which he has belonged are [Horipro](/source/Horipro), [Ishihara International Productions, Inc.](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ishihara_International_Productions,_Inc.&action=edit&redlink=1) and his current personal agency *Terao Music Offices* (寺尾音楽事務所).

## Personal life

He was married to [Bunjaku Han](/source/Bunjaku_Han) from 1973 to 1974 (ending in divorce). His current wife is Mayumi Hoshino.[7] Terao is known for wearing sunglasses and for his expressions of [nihilism](/source/Nihilism). Because he has two moles on one cheek, he has the nickname of "hoppe" (ボッペ), meaning "cheek".

## Filmography

### Films

- *[The Sands of Kurobe](/source/The_Sands_of_Kurobe)* (1968)

- *[Tora-san's Sunrise and Sunset](/source/Tora-san's_Sunrise_and_Sunset)* (1976)

- *[Ran](/source/Ran_(film))* (1985) – Ichimonji Taro Takatora

- *[Rock yo shizukani nagareyo](/source/Rock_yo_shizukani_nagareyo)* (1988)[9]

- *[Dreams](/source/Dreams_(1990_film))* (1990) – "I"

- *[Madadayo](/source/Madadayo)* (1993) - Sawamura

- *[After the Rain](/source/After_the_Rain_(film))* (1999) – Ihei Misawa

- *[Darkness in the Light](/source/Darkness_in_the_Light_(film))* (2001)[10]

- *[Letters from the Mountains](/source/Letters_from_the_Mountains)* (2002) - Takao Ueda

- *[Casshern](/source/Casshern_(film))* (2004) – Professor Kotaro Azuma

- *[Half a Confession](/source/Half_a_Confession)* (2004) – Soichiro Kaji

- *[Into the Sun](/source/Into_the_Sun_(2005_film))* (2005) – Matsuda

- *[The Professor's Beloved Equation](/source/The_Professor's_Beloved_Equation_(film))* (2006) - the professor

- *[The Hovering Blade](/source/Samayou_Yaiba)* (2009) – Shigeki Nagamine

- *Fragments of the Last Will* (2022) – old Ken'ichi Yamamoto[11]

- *Mom, Is That You?!* (2023)[12]

- *[The Imaginary](/source/The_Imaginary_(film))* (2023) – old dog (voice)[13]

- *Kaneko's Commissary* (2025) – Hoshida[14]

- *Unforgettable* (2025) – Tetta Mamiya[15]

- *Let's Meet at Angie's Bar* (2025) – Kumasaka[16]

### Television

- *[Kunitori Monogatari](/source/Kunitori_Monogatari)* (1973) – [Tokugawa Ieyasu](/source/Tokugawa_Ieyasu)[17]

- *[Daitokai Series](/source/Daitokai_Series)* (1976–1979) – He was in only the 1st and 3rd seasons of the show.

- *[Seibu Keisatsu](/source/Seibu_Keisatsu)* (1979) – Takeshi Matsuda, but prefers to be called 'Rikki' by his colleagues. His character is killed in the line of duty in the 123rd episode of Part I of the show.

- *[Taiyō ni Hoero!](/source/Taiy%C5%8D_ni_Hoero!) Part2* (1986)

- *[Gunshi Kanbei](/source/Gunshi_Kanbei)* (2014) – Tokugawa Ieyasu[17]

- *Nobunaga Moyu* (2016) – [Konoe Sakihisa](/source/Konoe_Sakihisa)

- *Kohaku* (2017) – Toshio Arai

- *Rikuoh* (2017) – Haruyuki Iiyama

- *[Shiroi Kyotō](/source/Shiroi_Kyot%C5%8D)* (2019) – Professor Azuma[1]

## Discography

- *[Reflections](/source/Reflections_(Akira_Terao_album))* (1981)

- *Atmosphere* (1983)

- *Standard* (1987)

## Honours

- [Medal with Purple Ribbon](/source/Medals_of_Honor_(Japan)) (2008)

- [Order of the Rising Sun, 4th Class, Gold Rays with Rosette](/source/Order_of_the_Rising_Sun) (2018)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-grapee_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-grapee_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-grapee_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-grapee_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-grapee_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-grapee_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-grapee_1-6) ["寺尾聰は『ルビーの指輪』でヒット歌手に！ 父は俳優の宇野重吉"](https://grapee.jp/724120). Grapee. November 15, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-tower_2-0)** ["寺尾聰"](https://tower.jp/artist/279397/寺尾聰). *tower.jp*. Tower. May 14, 2018. Retrieved December 2, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-nippon_3-0)** ["12/15は『この手のひらに愛を/ザ・サベージ・アルバムNo.1』の発売日だった【大人のMusic Calendar】"](http://www.1242.com/lf/articles/28428/). Nippon Broadcasting System. December 12, 2014. Retrieved December 2, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-nipponhousou_4-0)** Kurimoto, Hitoshi (January 30, 2019). ["A Guide to City Pop, the Soundtrack for Japan's Bubble-Era Generation"](https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/g00631/a-guide-to-city-pop-the-soundtrack-for-japan%E2%80%99s-bubble-era-generation.html). Nippon. Retrieved November 23, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-nonno_5-0)** ["寺尾 聰『ルビーの指輪』"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191202211834/https://www.mensnonno.jp/special/momiyama2019/2019/03/09/39/). *mensnonno.jp*. Men's Non-no. March 9, 2019. Archived from [the original](https://www.mensnonno.jp/special/momiyama2019/2019/03/09/39/) on December 2, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-etalentbank_6-0)** ["寺尾聰が語った「ルビーの指環」の誕生秘話に、中居正広「そんなカッコいい話あります？"](https://e-talentbank.co.jp/news/32384/). E-Talentbank. April 5, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-zakzak_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-zakzak_7-1) ["【裕次郎番記者だけが知る 寺尾聰ワンパク半生】ドル箱女優と隠密結婚も…寺尾聰はインタビューで「そうね、話すことないね」"](https://www.zakzak.co.jp/ent/news/181120/ent1811209286-n1.html). Zakzak. November 27, 2018. Retrieved December 2, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [ブルーリボン賞ヒストリー](https://web.archive.org/web/20120219003015/http://cinemahochi.yomiuri.co.jp/b_award/2004/) (in Japanese). Cinema Hochi. Archived from [the original](http://cinemahochi.yomiuri.co.jp/b_award/2004/) on February 19, 2012. Retrieved 2010-12-12.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["ロックよ、静かに流れよ"](https://eiga.com/movie/40169/). *eiga.com* (in Japanese). Retrieved March 13, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["日本の黒い夏 冤罪"](https://eiga.com/movie/40419/). *eiga.com* (in Japanese). Retrieved March 28, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["二宮和也「ラーゲリより愛を込めて」捕虜仲間に松坂桃李、中島健人、桐谷健太、安田顕"](https://natalie.mu/eiga/news/489901). *Natalie*. Retrieved August 17, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["こんにちは、母さん"](https://eiga.com/movie/98064/). *eiga.com* (in Japanese). Retrieved March 16, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["屋根裏のラジャー"](https://eiga.com/movie/96279/). *eiga.com* (in Japanese). Retrieved October 27, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["金子差入店"](https://eiga.com/movie/102337/). *eiga.com* (in Japanese). Retrieved August 27, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["父と僕の終わらない歌"](https://eiga.com/movie/103167/). *eiga.com* (in Japanese). Retrieved December 27, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["アンジーのBARで逢いましょう"](https://eiga.com/movie/103231/). *eiga.com* (in Japanese). Retrieved January 16, 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Ieyasu_17-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Ieyasu_17-1) ["【軍師官兵衛】寺尾聰、41年ぶり2度目の家康役 岡田准一と初共演「楽しみ」"](https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2037421/full/). *Oricon*. Retrieved August 27, 2024.

## External links

- [Akira Terao](https://www.discogs.com/artist/2958575-Akira-Terao) discography at [Discogs](/source/Discogs)

Awards v t e Blue Ribbon Award for Best Actor So Yamamura (1950) Toshiro Mifune (1951) Hisaya Morishige (1955) Keiji Sada (1956) Frankie Sakai (1957) Ichikawa Raizō VIII (1958) Hiroyuki Nagato (1959) Rentarō Mikuni (1960) Toshiro Mifune (1961) Tatsuya Nakadai (1962) Nakamura Kinnosuke (1963) Keiju Kobayashi (1964) Toshiro Mifune (1965) Hajime Hana (1966) Bunta Sugawara (1975) Tetsuya Watari (1976) Ken Takakura (1977) Ken Ogata (1978) Tomisaburo Wakayama (1979) Tatsuya Nakadai (1980) Toshiyuki Nagashima (1981) Kiyoshi Atsumi (1982) Ken Ogata (1983) Tsutomu Yamazaki (1984) Kin'ya Kitaōji (1985) Kunie Tanaka (1986) Takanori Jinnai (1987) Hajime Hana (1988) Rentarō Mikuni (1989) Yoshio Harada (1990) Naoto Takenaka (1991) Masahiro Motoki (1992) Hiroyuki Sanada (1993) Eiji Okuda (1994) Hiroyuki Sanada (1995) Koji Yakusho (1996) Koji Yakusho (1997) Takeshi Kitano (1998) Ken Takakura (1999) Yūji Oda (2000) Mansai Nomura (2001) Kōichi Satō (2002) Toshiyuki Nishida (2003) Akira Terao (2004) Hiroyuki Sanada (2005) Ken Watanabe (2006) Ryo Kase (2007) Masahiro Motoki (2008) Shōfukutei Tsurube II (2009) Satoshi Tsumabuki (2010) Yutaka Takenouchi (2011) Hiroshi Abe (2012) Kengo Kora (2013) Tadanobu Asano (2014) Yo Oizumi (2015) Kenichi Matsuyama (2016) Sadao Abe (2017) Hiroshi Tachi (2018) Kiichi Nakai (2019) Tsuyoshi Kusanagi (2020) Junichi Okada (2021) Kazunari Ninomiya (2022) Ryunosuke Kamiki (2023) Makiya Yamaguchi (2024) Satoshi Tsumabuki (2025) v t e Japan Academy Film Prize for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role Ken Takakura (1978) Ken Ogata (1979) Tomisaburo Wakayama (1980) Ken Takakura (1981) Ken Takakura (1982) Mitsuru Hirata (1983) Ken Ogata (1984) Tsutomu Yamazaki (1985) Minoru Chiaki (1986) Ken Ogata (1987) Tsutomu Yamazaki (1988) Toshiyuki Nishida (1989) Rentarō Mikuni (1990) Ittoku Kishibe (1991) Rentarō Mikuni (1992) Masahiro Motoki (1993) Toshiyuki Nishida (1994) Kōichi Satō (1995) Rentarō Mikuni (1996) Koji Yakusho (1997) Koji Yakusho (1998) Akira Emoto (1999) Ken Takakura (2000) Akira Terao (2001) Yōsuke Kubozuka (2002) Hiroyuki Sanada (2003) Kiichi Nakai (2004) Akira Terao (2005) Hidetaka Yoshioka (2006) Ken Watanabe (2007) Hidetaka Yoshioka (2008) Masahiro Motoki (2009) Ken Watanabe (2010) Satoshi Tsumabuki (2011) Yoshio Harada (2012) Hiroshi Abe (2013) Ryuhei Matsuda (2014) Junichi Okada (2015) Kazunari Ninomiya (2016) Kōichi Satō (2017) Masaki Suda (2018) Koji Yakusho (2019) Tori Matsuzaka (2020) Tsuyoshi Kusanagi (2021) Hidetoshi Nishijima (2022) Satoshi Tsumabuki (2023) Koji Yakusho (2024) Ryusei Yokohama (2025) Ryo Yoshizawa (2026) v t e Nikkan Sports Film Award for Best Actor Kiyoshi Atsumi (1988) Eiji Okuda (1989) Yoshio Harada (1990) Rentarō Mikuni (1991) Yoshio Harada (1992) Toshiyuki Nishida (1993) Kōichi Satō (1994) Hiroyuki Sanada (1995) Koji Yakusho (1996) Tetsuya Watari (1997) Akira Emoto (1998) Masahiro Motoki (1999) Akira Terao (2000) Naoto Takenaka (2001) Hiroyuki Sanada (2002) Kiichi Nakai (2003) Takeshi Kitano (2004) Ichikawa Somegorō VII (2005) Ken Watanabe (2006) Takuya Kimura (2007) Masahiro Nakai (2008) Shōfukutei Tsurube (2009) Satoshi Tsumabuki (2010) Kenichi Matsuyama (2011) Ken Takakura (2012) Ryuhei Matsuda (2013) Junichi Okada (2014) Kengo Kora (2015) Kōichi Satō (2016) Masaki Suda (2017) Tori Matsuzaka (2018) Sosuke Ikematsu (2019) Shun Oguri (2020) Hidetoshi Nishijima (2021) Hiroshi Abe (2022) Ryohei Suzuki (2023) Makiya Yamaguchi (2024) Ryo Yoshizawa (2025)

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND WorldCat National United States France BnF data Japan Italy Czech Republic Spain Netherlands Norway Israel Academics CiNii Artists MusicBrainz Other IdRef Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Akira Terao](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akira_Terao) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akira_Terao?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.