is a Japanese actor born in Kyoto. He won best actor at the 30th Yokohama Film Festival and best-supporting actor at the 8th Yokohama Film Festival for Sorobanzuku.
Career Kobayashi starred in Yoichi Sai's Quill. He also appeared in Yuya Ishii's The Great Passage He appeared as "Master", the lead character in the Japanese TV series Midnight Diner and the two full-length films based on the series.
Filmography
Film Year Title RoleNotes197918sai, umi e1983The Second LoveHideo Hyuga1986Sorobanzuku1997Princess MononokeJiko-bō (voice)1999HimitsuHeisuke SugitaLeading roleThe Black HouseCoquilleTatsuya UrayamaLeading role2004QuillLeading role2013The Great PassageAraki2015Midnight DinerThe MasterLeading role2016Midnight Diner 2The MasterLeading role2019The Island of CatsIwao2020Independence of JapanShigeru Yoshida2021We Made a Beautiful BouquetHirotarō YamaneArc2022Yes, I Can't SwimProfessor KamoshitaA Winter RoseDr. Coto's Clinic 2022Shōichi Hoshino2023Trapped BalloonShigezō KojimaBaian the Assassin, M.D.Tsuyama EtsudōBaian the Assassin, M.D. 2Tsuyama EtsudōTsugaru Lacquer GirlMiyako's fatherKubiTokugawa IeyasuThe Boy and the HeronOld Pelican (voice)2024The Yin Yang Master ZeroFujiwara no YoshisukePromised LandShimoyama2025 Sham Toshio Yugamidani The Last BlossomThe current Minoru Akutsu (voice)Leading role
Television Year Title RoleNotes1982Tōge no Gunzō Fuwa KazuemonTaiga drama2003–2006Dr. Coto's ClinicShoichi Hoshino2 seasons2009–2026Midnight DinerThe MasterLeading role; 4 seasons2011CarnationZensaku OharaAsadora2015The Emperor's CookKaneichi Usami2016–2019Midnight Diner: Tokyo StoriesThe MasterLeading role; 2 seasons2017Naotora: The Lady WarlordReverend NankeiTaiga drama2021Reach Beyond the Blue SkyShibusawa IchirōemonTaiga dramaKyojo 2Takeshi ShindoMiniseries2023The DaysFuruyaKazama Kimichika: Kyojo ZeroTakeshi ShindoFixerDeputy prime minister Ichirō Suzaki2024The Tiger and Her WingsShigechika HodakaAsadora20251972: Nagisa no KeikaTaiei TamashiroMiniseriesPray Speak What Has HappenedTaro Furosu
Dubbing The West Wing (seasons 1-4), Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen)
Awards and nominations YearAwardCategoryWork(s)Result 19794th Hochi Film AwardBest New Artist18sai, umi e19869th Japan Academy Film PrizeBest Supporting ActorSorekara and Love Letter 19878th Yokohama Film FestivalBest Supporting ActorSorobanzuku 200023rd Japan Academy Film PrizeBest ActorHimitsu 200831st Japan Academy Film PrizeBest Supporting ActorTokyo Tower: Mom and Me, and Sometimes Dad 200930th Yokohama Film FestivalBest ActorKyūka and Kanki no Uta
References
External links Official profile