"Yuriko Kikuchi" redirects here. For the American dancer, see Yuriko (dancer).
Rinko Kikuchi
Native name菊地 凛子
Birth nameYuriko Kikuchi
Birth dateJanuary 6, 1981 (age 45)
Birth placeHadano, Kanagawa, Japan
Height1.69 m (5 ft 7 in)
OccupationActress
Years active1999–present
SpouseShōta Sometani (m. December 31, 2014)
Websitewww.rinkokikuchi.com

Rinko Kikuchi (pronunciation) (菊地 凛子, Kikuchi Rinko, born Yuriko Kikuchi (菊地 百合子, Kikuchi Yuriko), January 6, 1981) is a Japanese actress. She was the first Japanese actress to be nominated for an Academy Award in 50 years, for her work in Babel (2006). Kikuchi's other notable films include Norwegian Wood (2010), which screened in competition at the 67th Venice Film Festival and Guillermo del Toro's science fiction action film Pacific Rim (2013). For her role in the drama film Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter (2014), Kikuchi received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Female Lead. She played a supporting role in the HBO Max crime drama series Tokyo Vice.

Early life

Kikuchi was born on January 6, 1981, in Hadano, Kanagawa, the youngest of three children. She was discovered by a talent agent inside the shopping mall Laforet Harajuku at the age of 15.[1]

Career

Kikuchi made her debut in 1999, under her birth name, Yuriko Kikuchi, with the Kaneto Shindo film Will to Live. Soon after, in 2001, she starred in the celebrated Kazuyoshi Komuri film Sora no Ana (空の穴), which was featured at several international festivals, including the Rotterdam Film Festival. In 2004, Kikuchi appeared in the well-received Katsuhito Ishii film The Taste of Tea, which was selected for the Cannes Film Festival.[2]

In 2006, Kikuchi was chosen by Japanese film producer Yoko Narahashi for the Alejandro González Iñárritu film Babel,[3] where she played Chieko Wataya, a troubled, deaf teenage girl, for which she received international attention.[2] She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.[4] Kikuchi was the fourth person in Academy Award history to be nominated for a role in which she does not speak. She won several awards, such as the National Board of Review Award for Best Breakthrough Female Performance (tying with Jennifer Hudson) and the Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Actor. Since her appearance in the movie "Babel", she has been actively involved in numerous films outside of Japan. Under the name Rinbjö (リンビョウ), she also pursues musical activities.[citation needed]

She has appeared in two of Mamoru Oshii's films: The Sky Crawlers (2008) and Assault Girls (2009). Kikuchi starred in Rian Johnson's second film, The Brothers Bloom (2009), which was her first full English-language feature. Though she plays a main character, she only speaks three words; her character is said to only know three words of English.

In 2010, Kikuchi was cast as Naoko in Tran Anh Hung's adaptation of Haruki Murakami's novel Norwegian Wood. In March 2011, she was added to the cast of 47 Ronin, the first English-language adaptation of the Japanese Chushingura legend of samurai loyalty and revenge.[5] Kikuchi described her villain character to the American version of Glamour as "a real bitch."[1] In 2013, she appears in Pacific Rim, having improved her English by watching the American television series The Voice.[1]

In 2014, Kikuchi starred in Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter, directed by David Zellner. Kikuchi was cast in the Season 2 of the HBO science fiction series Westworld.

Kikuchi plays the role of Emi Maruyama, the supervisor of the lead character Jake Adelstein, in the 2022 HBO Max series Tokyo Vice. In August 2022, she portrayed a taxi driver in the music video for Mondo Grosso's "Crypt".[6]

In 2024, she featured on the official poster of 37th Tokyo International Film Festival, created by fashion designer Koshino Junko. She was also appointed festival navigator, who "navigated" the audience at official events as the face of the festival.[7]

Personal life

From 2010 to 2011, Kikuchi was in a relationship with director Spike Jonze, with whom she briefly resided in New York.[8][9]

Kikuchi married Japanese actor Shōta Sometani on December 31, 2014.[10] In October 2016, Kikuchi gave birth to their first child.[11] Their second child was born in late 2018.[12]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1999Will to Live
2000By Player
Akai Shibafu
2001Paradise
Sora no Ana|Hole in the SkyTaeko
DrugMai
2002Mike Yokohama: A Forest with No NameNumber 51
Hachigatsu no Maboroshi
2003Age 17 : 17-saiHitomi
2004Tori
The Taste of TeaYuriko Kikuchi
69
Survive Style 5+
The Reason
2005Tagatameni: Portrait of the Wind
2006Funky Forest: The First ContactKikuchi
Arch AngelsNobuko Sakurai
BabelChieko Wataya
Umi de no hanashiKaori
2007Deathfix: Die and Let LiveSayoko[13]
Genius PartyVoice
Tokyo SerendipityJunda Atsuko
2008The Brothers BloomBang Bang[14]
The Sky CrawlersSuito KusanagiVoice[15]
Kiru – KILL
2009Map of the Sounds of TokyoRyu
Strawberry Seminar
SidewaysMina Parker
Assault GirlsLucifer
42 One Dream Rush
2010ShanghaiSumikoUncredited
Norwegian WoodNaoko
2011At River's EdgeTazu
Love Strikes!Naoko Hayashida[16]
The Warped Forest
2013Pacific RimMako Mori
47 RoninWitch
2014Kumiko, the Treasure HunterKumiko
Last SummerNaomi[17]
2015Nobody Wants the NightAllaka
Dear DeerCameo
2016Terra FormarsAsuka Moriki
2017Highheels: A Fairy Tale Born of ObsessionShort film
2018Pacific Rim UprisingMako Mori
2019We Are Little ZombiesYūko
2022What to Do with the Dead Kaiju?Colonel Sen Masago[18]
2023In Love and Deep WaterAina Horikawa[19]
YokoYoko[20]
2024Who's GoneTerada[21]
2025Ya Boy Kongming! The MovieAyvil Suzuki[22]
2026Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!HaruCompleted

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1999Bakayaro! Special 2
Kawaii dakeja Dame kashira
2001ChurasanAsadora[23]
kokiku
2002The Private Detective Mike Hama
2003Uchu ni Ichiban Chikai basho
Ai to Shihonshugi
2004The Reason
2009–2010Liar Game 2Ryo Katsuragi
2010MotekiNaoko Hayashida
2014Gu-Gu Datte Neko de AruChikako
2015To Give a DreamMikiko AbeMiniseries
2018WestworldAkane
2019A Butterfly Effect: The Murder Analysis TeamMachiko Aiba
2021–2023InvasionHinata
2022PICUSamejima Tatsuki
The 13 Lords of the ShogunNoeTaiga drama[24]
2022–2024Tokyo ViceEmi Maruyama2 seasons
2023–2024Boogie WoogieRitsuko IbaradaAsadora[23]
2024The Tiger and Her WingsRitsuko IbaradaAsadora[25]
2025The Hot SpotMasako Umemoto[26]
Pray Speak What Has HappenedThe woman at the information desk[27]

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations received by Rinko Kikuchi
Organizations[a]Year[b]CategoryWorkResult
Academy Awards2007Best Supporting ActressBabel[4]
Alliance of Women Film Journalists2006Best Breakthrough Performance For A Young Actress[28]
Asian Film Awards2011Best ActressNorwegian Wood[29]
2024Best ActressYoko[30]
Austin Film Critics Association2007Best Supporting ActressBabel[31]
Chicago Film Critics Association2006Best Supporting Actress[32]
Most Promising Performer
Chlotrudis Society for Independent Films2010Best Supporting ActressThe Brothers Bloom[33]
2016Best ActressKumiko, the Treasure Hunter[34]
Columbus Film Critics Association2007Best Supporting ActressBabel[35]
Critics' Choice Movie Awards2007Best Acting Ensemble[36]
Best Supporting Actress
Gold Derby Awards2007Best Supporting Actress[37]
Best Ensemble Cast
2018Drama Guest ActressWestworld[38]
Golden Globe Awards2007Best Supporting Actress – Motion PictureBabel[39]
Gotham Awards2006Best Ensemble CastBabel[40]
Breakthrough Actor[c]
Independent Spirit Awards2014Best Female LeadKumiko, the Treasure Hunter[41]
sco! scope="row"| Mainichi Film Awards2024Best ActressYoko[42]
National Board of Review2007Best Breakthrough Performance - Female[d]Babel[43]
Online Film & Television Association2007Best Brekathrough Performance: Female[44]
Best Supporting Actress
2018Best Guest Actress In A Drama SeriesWestworld[45]
Online Film Critics Society2007Best Supporting ActressBabel[46]
Breakthrough Performer
Palm Springs International Film Festival2007Best Ensemble Cast[47]
San Diego Film Critics Society2006Best Ensemble[48]
Satellite Award2006Best Supporting Actress[49]
Screen Actors Guild Awards2007Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role[50]
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Shanghai International Film Festival2023Best ActressYoko[51][52]
Tama Film Awards2023Best Actress[53]
Toronto Film Critics Association2006Best Supporting ActressBabel[54]
Utah Film Critics Association2006Best Supporting Performance by an Actor, Female[55]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Awards, festivals, honors and other miscellaneous organizations are listed in alphabetical order.
  2. ^ Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.
  3. ^ Shared with Shareeka Epps.
  4. ^ Shared with Jennifer Hudson.

References

  1. ^ Carlson, Erin, "We ♥ Rinko," Glamour, September 2013, p. 363.
  2. ^ "Midnight Eye interview: Rinko Kikuchi". Archived February 8, 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 14, 2007.
  3. ^ Corkill, Edan. "From Hollywood to Hirohito". The Japan Times. Archived July 24, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  4. ^ "The 79th Academy Awards | 2007". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. October 7, 2014. Archived October 3, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  5. ^ "Keanu's "47 Ronin" has A-List Japanese Cast". Archived January 11, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
  6. ^ "Rinko Kikuchi stars in Mondo Grosso's new music video Crypt". J-Generation. 2022-10-02. Archived October 25, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  7. ^ "37th TIFF Unveils Official Poster Featuring Festival Navigator Kikuchi Rinko". Tokyo International Film Festival. September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  8. ^ "Rinko Kikuchi: the interview". the Guardian. February 27, 2011. Archived June 27, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  9. ^ "Kikuchi Rinko and Spike Jonze no more" (in en-SG). sg.news.yahoo.com. May 15, 2012. Archived June 24, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  10. ^ "Rinko Kikuchi, Shōta Sometani marry". Archived July 15, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  11. ^ Sometani, Shôta. "無事第1子を出産しましたことをご報告させていただきます。 母子共に健康です。". Shôta Sometani Official Website. Archived September 8, 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  12. ^ "菊地凛子、第2子妊娠 夫・染谷将太の公式サイトで発表「安定期に入り、母子共に健康」". ORICON NEWS. December 27, 2018. Archived April 14, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
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  14. ^ "Brody and Kikuchi in Bloom - ComingSoon.net". Archived from the original on October 29, 2014. Retrieved 2007-02-14.
  15. ^ Koulikov, Mikhail (April 16, 2008). "Oshii Casts Oscar-Nominated Kikuchi for Sky Crawlers". Anime News Network. Archived April 21, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
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  25. ^ "虎に翼:「ブギウギ」とのコラボ実現 "茨田りつ子""菊地凛子がサプライズ登場！「鳥肌たった」と視聴者大興奮". Mantan-web. June 27, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  26. ^ "菊地凛子、バカリズム脚本『ホットスポット』役どころ判明 『月曜から夜ふかし』も再登場へ" (in Japanese). Oricon. 16 February 2025. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
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  28. ^ "2006 EDA Awards Nominees". Alliance of Women Film Journalists. Archived from the original on September 17, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  29. ^ "5th – Asian Film Awards Academy". Asian Film Awards. Archived October 3, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  30. ^ "Asian Film Awards; Korean Historical Drama '12.12: The Day' & Ryusuke Hamaguchi's 'Evil Does Not Exist' Lead Nominations". Deadline. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  31. ^ "2006 Awards". Austin Film Critics Association. January 2, 2007. Archived from the original on December 4, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  32. ^ "This Year's Nominees". Chicago Film Critics Association. Archived from the original on January 6, 2007. Retrieved January 6, 2007.
    "1988-2013 Award Winner Archives". Chicago Film Critics Association. January 1, 2013. Archived October 3, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  33. ^ "2010, 16th Annual Awards, March 21, 2010". Chlotrudis Society for Independent Films. Archived from the original on April 18, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  34. ^ "22nd Annual Awards, March 20, 2016". Chlotrudis Society for Independent Films. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  35. ^ "Awards 2006". Central Ohio Film Critics Association. Archived October 3, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  36. ^ The Associated Press (January 8, 2007). "12th annual Critics Choice Awards nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived October 3, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  37. ^ "2006 Goldderby Film Awards". Gold Derby Awards. March 7, 2016. Archived October 14, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  38. ^ "2018 Gold Derby TV Awards winners: 'Versace' and 'Handmaid's Tale' are top winners, but 'Game of Thrones' takes Best Drama". September 6, 2018. Archived September 7, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
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  40. ^ "Past Recipients Of 2006". Gotham Awards. Archived October 3, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
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Further reading