Hideaki Itō

Hideaki Ito (伊藤 英明 (Itō Hideaki), born August 3, 1975) is a Japanese actor known for his leading roles in both television dramas and films. He gained widespread recognition through the Umizaru^[1][2] film series which became a major commercial success. Following this, he expanded his range with more diverse roles, including performances in Takashi Miike’s Sukiyaki Western Django^[3] and Lesson of the Evil.^[4]

Ito was born in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, and raised in Gifu, Gifu Prefecture. He grew up in a family of four, with a father who was a former member of the Japan Self-Defense Forces and later worked in logistics, and a mother who previously worked as a bus tour guide. He has one younger sister.^[5]

As a child, Ito was diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis and spent a significant part of his early years in and out of hospitals. During his hospitalization, he witnessed the death of a friend in the shared ward, an experience that left a lasting impression on him. Due to chronic illness, he was only able to attend about three years of elementary school in total and struggled to integrate into his classes. His lunch was prepared with reduced salt and diluted with hot water due to dietary restrictions.^[6]

Ito underwent a tonsillectomy in sixth grade, which marked a turning point in his health. His condition improved, and he eventually returned his physical disability certificate. These early experiences with illness and mortality shaped his outlook on life, instilling a sense of urgency to live fully, take on challenges, and avoid regrets. He has stated that he believes "life is not about success or failure until it's over," and that he prefers to regret trying rather than not trying at all.^[7]

In October 2014, Ito married a woman eight years his junior who was previously a company employee. In public statements, he described her as someone he deeply respected and admired for her kindness and thoughtfulness. Their wedding ceremonies were held both in Gifu Prefecture, his hometown, and on the island of Mallorca, Spain. Initially planning only a traditional Shinto ceremony with close family, they later decided to hold a second ceremony abroad in response to his wife's wish to wear a Western-style wedding dress.^[8]

The couple has two children: a son born in 2015 and a daughter born in 2019. In interviews, Ito has shared that becoming a father has brought about a significant shift in his lifestyle and values, helping him reconnect with a more grounded version of himself. He also cited his desire to spend more time with his children as a major reason for considering overseas relocation.^[9][10][11]

Ito is known for his deep connection to his hometown and often returns to Gifu for local events and charity work. He has acquired licenses as both a certified pyrotechnician (fireworks technician) and a horse owner in Japanese racing. In 2024, he was appointed the face of a regional promotional campaign for Gifu.^[12][13]

Ito began his entertainment career in 1993 when he was awarded runner-up in the 6th annual Junon Superboy Contest, a talent competition hosted by a popular Japanese magazine. In 1994, he moved from Gifu to Tokyo and made his commercial debut opposite Yuko Tanaka in a high-profile TV ad for Suntory Old whisky. However, his initial experience in the industry was marked by discomfort. His agency at the time strictly managed his appearance and dialect, creating a manufactured persona that clashed with his desire to remain authentic. Feeling constrained, he left the agency in 1995 and temporarily withdrew from the entertainment industry.^[14]

For the next two years, Ito worked in various labor-intensive jobs, including construction and demolition. He deliberately avoided nightlife jobs despite their higher pay, stating he didn't want to "become someone else’s version of himself." In 1997, he was scouted by staff from A-Team, leading to his return to acting with the television drama Dessan on Nippon TV.

Although his appearance was brief, Ito gained public attention for his role in the 1999 film Himitsu, starring Ryoko Hirosue. His striking presence in the film marked the beginning of his recognition as a serious actor.^[15]

In 2000, Ito landed his first lead role in a television series, playing dual characters in the sci-fi drama Yasha. That same year, he starred in the film Blister!, which earned him the Best New Actor Award at the Takasaki Film Festival.^[16] His reputation continued to rise with his performance as Maeda Toshinaga in the 2002 NHK historical drama Toshiie to matsu.

His breakthrough came in 2004 when he starred in the action film Umizaru, playing a Japan Coast Guard diver. The film’s success led to a series of sequels, including Limit of Love: Umizaru (2006), The Last Message: Umizaru (2010), and Brave Hearts: Umizaru (2012), which all topped the domestic box office in their respective release years. The popularity of the series established Ito as a mainstream action star. His performance in the 2006 drama Bengoshi no Kuzu earned him the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 49th Television Drama Academy Awards.

In 2007, he starred in Takashi Miike’s Sukiyaki Western Django, which was entered into competition at the 64th Venice International Film Festival. Ito continued to take on diverse roles in the 2010s. In 2012, he played a psychopathic schoolteacher in Lesson of the Evil, marking his first major antagonist role and expanding his acting range. In 2014, he starred in Wood Job! as a forestry worker. His performance earned him the Best Supporting Actor Award at both the 38th Japan Academy Film Prize and the 69th Mainichi Film Awards.

In the 2020s, Ito returned to television in a lead role in the TBS drama Byoshitsu de Nembutsu o Tonaenaide Kudasai (2020), after a 12-year absence from Friday-night dramas. The same year, he joined the Kamen Rider franchise, portraying Kamen Rider Eden in the film Kamen Rider Zero-One the Movie: Real×Time. In 2022, after 25 years with A-Team, he moved to Granpapa Production, a company formerly associated with actor Masahiko Tsugawa. In July 2024, he established his own agency, ID4 Management.,^[17] and began managing his career independently.

During the production of Tokyo Vice, Ito developed a close friendship with American actor Ansel Elgort.^[18] He invited Elgort to experience a traditional Japanese sauna and also welcomed him to his family home in Gifu.^[19] Ito has frequently spoken of his admiration for filmmaker Michael Mann, and expressed interest in working on an international project under Mann’s direction.^[20]

• Suits Season 3, Episode 11 (2014) – as Michael Phelps (Japanese dub)

• Earth Great Journey Special: Hideaki Ito Walks the Inca Trail (2006, CBC)
• Canon Special: Planet Blue (2006, TBS)
• The Power of Travel: Searching for the Wind of Freedom on the Great Plains – Argentina (2013, NHK BS Premium)
• Grace of Japan: 100 Views of Shrines (2013–2015, BS Japan) – Narrator
• Hideaki Ito Dives into the Sea of Miracles! (2013, NHK BS Premium)
• The 6,400km Great Amazon Journey (2014, BS-TBS) – Two-part series
• Hideaki Ito Gets Close to the Humpback Whales: Parent and Child on the Miracle Sea (2015, CBC/TBS)
• The Great Siberia: SIBERIA (2015, BS-TBS) – Two-part series
• Miracle Earth Journey: Hidden Hawaii (BS Asahi) – Narrator
  • Part 1: Around Maui Island – Encountering Humpback Whales (2015)
  • Part 2: Crossing Oahu Island – To the Most Beautiful Hidden Beach in America

• AKB48 – Namida Surprise! (2009)

• Nep League (Fuji TV)
• Umizaru Cast’s Hilarious Journey in Gifu (2010, Tokai TV / BS Fuji)
• Sekaiō! – World Champion Birth Project (2013, NHK) – Host
• Udo-chan no Tabi-shite Gomen (2024, Nagoya TV)
• Gifu Hideaki (2023, Gifu Broadcasting)

• Marui – "Visarno"
• Shogakukan – Umizaru (2004)
• Warner Entertainment Japan (2008)
• Coca-Cola Japan
  • "Marocha" (2002)
  • "Sokenbicha" (2003)
  • "Coca-Cola ZERO" (2012)
• NTT DoCoMo Kansai – "FOMA"
• Kao – "Success" (2004–2011)
• House Foods – "Tomato Hayashi Rice Sauce" (2004)
• Asahi Beer – "Dry Cooler" (2004)
• Geneon Entertainment (2006)
• Goodwill (2006–2007)
• Curtis (2006)
• Able (2005–2007)
• Nissin Foods – "Vegetable Harusame Soup" (2007)
• Daihatsu – Tanto Custom (2007–2008)
• Kirin Beer
  • "Strong Seven" (2008–2009)
  • "Tanrei Gokujo Nama"
• DyDo – "Blend Coffee: 35×35" campaign (2010–2011)
• Reebok Japan – "ZIGTECH" (2012)
• GREE (2013)
• Rohto Pharmaceutical – "Deo" (2013–2018) – portrayed Kenshiro in later ads
• Maken Densetsu (2020, 4399) – In-game character and campaign model
• Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank (2024)
• Dragon Ball Super Card Game Fusion World – Vegito and Gogeta campaigns (2025)

• Kamen Rider Battle: Ganbarizing (2021, Arcade) – as Kamen Rider Eden
• Kamen Rider Battle: Ganba Legends (2023, Arcade) – as Kamen Rider Eden

• ID4. Koshinsha, July 2001. ISBN 978-4-87761-071-5
• HIDEAKIZM. Gakken, September 2001. ISBN 978-4-05-401486-2

• MOROCCO. Photographed by Ken Hanzawa. Kodansha, August 1, 2002. ISBN 978-4-06-330171-7
• MOROCCO (Deluxe Edition). Photographed by Ken Hanzawa. Kodansha, August 15, 2002. ISBN 978-4-06-330175-5

• Official Personal web site
• Official website
• Hideaki Itō at IMDb
• Hideaki Itō at the Japanese Movie Database (in Japanese)