Classic action films are renowned for their heart-pounding stunts, terrifying scenes, and high stakes situations. The chance to live vicariously through these characters who defy the odds has audiences gripped to their seats as these suspenseful scenes play out. Some action stars earn every cent of their paychecks thanks to the heavy hitters in the Japanese acting industry who bring in some serious cash. While many actors are eager to perform their own stunts, some would rather leave those tasks to the professionals.
1. Michiko Nishiwaki
Michiko Nishiwaki is a former female bodybuilder, powerlifter, martial artist, actress, and stunt performer from Japan. She acted as Lucy Liu's stand-in for the dangerous stunts in the movie Charlie's Angels.
2. Osamu Kaneda
Director, action director, and stuntman Osamu Kaneda is a triple threat. He is the founder and chief executive officer of Japan Action Enterprise and a Tokyo Designer Gakuin College alumnus. As an actor, he has carried out his own stunts.
3. Tak Sakaguchi
Tak Sakaguchi is an actor and director from Japan. He is best known for his part in the cult classic Versus directed by Ryuhei Kitamura. Since his debut, Sakaguchi has collaborated with Kitamura numerous times, frequently acting alongside Hideo Sakaki, another stalwart of the Kitamura cast. Additionally, he has collaborated with Yudai Yamaguchi and Yuji Shimomura, who frequently work with Kitamura.
4. Koichi Sakamoto
Koichi Sakamoto is a stunt performer and producer for movies and television who was born in Tokyo, Japan, on September 29, 1970. He is best known for his work on the popular Power Rangers franchise, where he served as executive producer, fight coordinator, and frequent director.
5. Seiji Takaiwa
Born in Saitama Prefecture on November 3, 1968, Seiji Takaiwa is a Japanese stunt performer and suit actor. He has played a wide variety of characters in the Super Sentai and Kamen Rider series, including many leading roles.
6. Chie Tanabe
Chie Tanabe, a Japanese stuntwoman and "suit actor," was born on March 29, 1971. (an actor in a full-body rubber suit). She previously worked for Japan Enterprise Action.
7. Jun Watanabe
A member of Japan Action Enterprises, Jun Watanabe is a Japanese stunt performer and suit actor from Takarazuka, Hygo Prefecture. He has played a wide variety of characters in the Super Sentai and Kamen Rider series, including many leading roles. He has a child by his present spouse. He assumed the position with Kamen Rider Zero-One and is currently the action director for the Kamen Rider series.
8. Haruhiko Yamanouchi
Actor, dancer, choreographer, and writer Haruhiko Yamanouchi, also known as Hal Yamanouchi, is of Japanese descent. He has lived in Italy since 1975 and is a citizen of that country. He started out as a mime and has choreographed and performed in many stage productions. He has appeared in more than 100 motion pictures and television shows since 1976, including several 1980s genre pictures from directors like Sergio Martino, Ruggero Deodato, and Enzo G. Castellari.
9. Kenji Tanigaki
Action director, stunt coordinator, fight coordinator, director, and stunt performer Kenji Tanigaki is all of these things. His collaboration with martial arts icon Donnie Yen is what made him most famous. Kenji was born in Japan's Nara region, close to the city of Osaka.
10. Sonny Chiba
Sonny Chiba, also known as Shinichi Chiba, was a famous Japanese actor and martial artist. Chiba was one of the first actors to become famous because of his martial arts prowess, first in Japan and then in front of a global audience.
