Takuya Kimura

Takuya Kimura (Kimura Takuya, 木村拓哉, nicknamed Kimutaku; born November 13, 1972) is a Japanese actor and singer, a member of the pop group SMAP.

Life

File:Http://images.google.be/images?q=tbn:cny6DiiDCDrryM:wiki.d-addicts.com/static/images/thumb/a/a4/200px-Kimura Takuya.jpg In 1987, he was taken on by the Johnny & Associates talent agency, which specializes in handsome young male idols, and became a member of Johnny's Junior. One of his relatives had sent in the application. He was in a Jr. unit called "Skate Boys". Skate Boys used to be backup dancers of Hikaru Genji, which at the time was a popular group.

In 1988, SMAP (Masahiro Nakai, Takuya Kimura, Goro Ingaki, Katsuyuki Mori, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Shingo Katori) was created. Although all SMAP members were in a drama in 1988, Takuya's father didn't like his son working in the entertainment industry.

In 1989, Takuya was in a play called Modoken. When Takuya's father came to see the play, he was impressed by his son's acting ability, and urged his son to pursue his career.

In 1990, he was in a drama called "Brother, sister, I don't wanna die!" He starred as a sick boy.

In 1991, his dream was realized when SMAP debuted with a single called "Can't Stop!! ~Loving." However, SMAP was not very popular for a Johnny's Idol Group at that time. Their debut single wasn't a success, and when they had their first concert, the hall was almost empty. SMAP slowly gained popularity through a variety program called 愛ラブSMAP, though.

1993 was a year of opportunity for SMAP and Takuya. He was in a drama called Asunaro Hakusho, which was a huge hit. In that drama, he starred as Osamu Toride, an university student who is in love with a girl called Narumi Sonoda. Toride was portrayed as a shy guy who only cares about one girl. SMAP also got more popular with a single called $10. Hikaru Genji was not as popular anymore and it was time for SMAP to get the spotlight.

In 1994, Kimutaku Syndrome made this newcomer a superstar. But in reality, he hates being called Kimutaku and has asked his fans not to call him that. He was voted the Favorite Guy by Japanese women's magazine "AnAn", and was also voted as the Best Jeanist. So far, he has been voted the favorite guy 12 times consecutively and will not be included from next year.

In 1995, he was also in a movie called Kimi wa toki no kanata 君を忘れない, which gained people's attention.

In 1996, a drama called Long Vacation made him even more popular. He was a young shy pianist called "Sena" who falls in love with an older girl who used be a model. 'Long Vacation' topped the TV ratings, and ever since, every drama of Takuya has become a big hit. SMAP then started a variety show called 'SMAP X SMAP' which made SMAP even more popular.

In 1997, he was in two dramas. 'Gift' and 'Love Generation." Love Generation topped the ratings and was very popular. Gift was criticized in some ways because some people thought it encouraged teenage crime.

In 1999, he broke up with his longtime girlfriend, Kaorin. He and Kaorin were together for nine years, but Kaorin dumped Takuya because she was tired of being 'Kimutaku's girlfriend.' Takuya was very sad about it. With the success of TV drama Beautiful Life, in 2000, he was at the peak of his popularity when he announced his marriage with Shizuka Kudo, an idol singer. Of course, his fans were shocked and angered. Shizuka was pregnant when they announced their marriage. Many people thought Takuya Kimura's career would finish with his marriage.

In 2001, however, Takuya proved that he was not finished yet with a drama called Hero. Hero set a record with its very high TV ratings of about 36.8%.

In 2001, his first daughter, Kokomi, was born and his second daughter, Mitsuki, was born in 2003. Takuya is still very popular. He was in many dramas after Hero, such as Sorakara Furu Ichiokuno Hoshi, Good Luck!!, Pride, and "ENGINE." "Good Luck" topped 2003's T.V view ratings at 37.6%.

During 2004, Kimura was also in a movie called '2046' starring as Tak, and also did the voice acting of Howl in Hayao Miyazaki's animation Howl's Moving Castle.

In 2006, Kimura will play a lead role in "Bushi no Ichibun" directed by Yamada Yoji. He played a guest role in the drama Saiyuki and returned as Detective Kohei in a special episode of HERO.

Facts And Trivia

• Height: 176cm
• Weight: 57kg
• B94-W68-H91
• Bloodtype O
• Hometown: Tokyo
• Official Debut (SMAP): 1991
• Family: Shizuka Kudo (wife), Kokomi Kimura (daughter), Mitsuki Kimura (daughter)
• Hobby: Surfing, snowboarding, fishing, soccer, reading One Piece

Filmography

Drama

• Sono toki haatowa nusumareta
• Otouto(1990)
• Izu no odorikko(1993)
• Asunaro hakusho (1993)
• Wakamono no subete (1994)
• Jinsei wa joujoda (1995)
• Long Vacation (1996)
• Kyousoukyoku (1996)
• Furuhata Ninzaburo 1 (1996)
• Gift (1997)
• Ii Hito (1997)
• Love Generation (1997)
• Boku ga boku de aru tame ni(1997)
• Nemureru Mori (1998)
• Oda Nobunaga(1998)
• Konya wa Eigyouchuu (1999)
• Food Fight (2000)
• Beautiful Life (2000)
• Hero (2001)
• Sora Kara Furu Ichioku no Hoshi (2002)
• Chuushingura 1/47(2002)
• Good Luck!! (2003)
• Pride (2004)
• Engine (2005)

Films

• Kimi wa toki no kanata e (1995)
• 2046 (2004)
• Howl's Moving Castle (voice) (2004)
• Love Undercover 3 (2006)

External links

• Profile at Metropolis
• Kimura Takuya Groundbreaker
• Pride: Kimura Takuya Fanlisting
• Takuya Kimura's IMDb Listing
• Takuya Kimura's Thai Fan Club