Ikusaburo Yamazaki
A dynamic Japanese actor who seamlessly shifts from charming heartthrob roles to intense dramatic performances, becoming a versatile mainstay on screen.
Born 1986 (age 40)·Japanese actor and singer·Birthday: January 18·Millennials
Biography
Ikusaburo Yamazaki represents a breed of actor who dissolves into his roles. Since beginning his career, he has avoided easy categorization, moving with equal conviction between light-hearted television dramas, blockbuster films, and challenging stage work. He first captured wide attention in Japan for his roles in popular TV series, where his natural charisma and good looks made him a familiar face. However, it is his deliberate choice of complex, often flawed characters that has defined his growth. He has collaborated with noted directors, taking on parts that require physical transformation and psychological depth, proving his dedication extends far beyond celebrity. This commitment to craft, combined with a steady output in theater and music, has solidified his reputation as a serious and adaptable performer in a competitive industry.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Ikusaburo was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ikusaburo Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Ikusaburo's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Starred in the long-running and popular NHK television drama series 'Massan', which significantly raised his profile.
- Delivered a critically acclaimed performance in the film 'The Blood of Wolves', showcasing his range in a gritty yakuza role.
- Maintains an active career in musical theater, performing in major stage productions in Japan.
Did You Know?
He is a skilled singer and has released music, sometimes for soundtracks of dramas he has appeared in.
Yamazaki is a graduate of the prestigious Horikoshi High School in Tokyo, known for its alumni in entertainment.
He is represented by Ken-On, one of Japan's most prominent talent agencies for actors and musicians.
“An actor's duty is to erase himself and let the character live truthfully.”
