Asian Movies Catalogue

Odagiri Jô

Jô Odagiri (ODAGIRI Jô / オダギリジョー / オダギリジョ) is a Japanese actor, born on Monday, February 16, 1976, in Tsuyama, Okayama.

Profession: Actor and singer
Height: 176cm
Weight: 60kg
Star sign: Aquarius
Blood type: O
Family: Wife/actress Kashii Yu

Originally debuting with his birth name, 小田切譲, he changed his name from the Kanji form to the Katakana form (form used primarily in the translation of Western names), オダギリジョー, since his first name is often misread as Yuzuru, instead of Jo. (Jo is not the most common way to read his first name.) Another reason for his name change is that he used the western name Joe when he attended California State University (CSU) as an arts major.
2004 Income: 100,350,000 Yen (approx)
2003 Income: 35,430,000 Yen (approx)

Odagiri Joe was born in Tsuyama, Okayama prefecture, a small town in central Japan renowned for its beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring. Though he was accepted by Kochi University, he turned it down for an opportunity to study in the United States. He had originally intended to study movie directing at California State University in Fresno, but mistakes in the application process landed him in acting classes. It may have been a blessing in disguise, for two years after studying in Fresno and later starring in a few stage performances in Japan, Odagiri would find himself catapulted to fame in his role in the Kamen-Rider series, playing the central character, Godai Yuusuke. He became the predecessor of the Ikemen Hero craze (literally, good-looking actors playing hero roles in popular TV series).

Since then, Odagiri has appeared in many movies and dramas. He won the Best New Actor Award at the 2003 Japan Academy Awards for his role as the uniquely bisexual nemesis in the film Azumi, and in the following year, was awarded the Best Supporting Actor Award for his electrifying performance in internationally acclaimed director Kitano Takeshi’s 2004 film, Blood and Bones (血骨). Odagiri’s creative acting skills and strong presence in films have secured him a place in stardom. He is slated to appear in numerous more films in 2005, including “メゾン・ド・ヒミコ (Maison de Himiko), where he portrays a homosexual man in a relationship with the protagonist (played by Shibasaki Kou)’s father.

Commonly known just as Odajou, and also known for unusual hairstyle and eclectic style of dressing, he is the epitome of 'cool Japan' known as much for his persona as his work.

Odagiri has also experimented in music, releasing a single called Cherry the Dustman. His second album released on 4th October 2007 is divided into two works named 'White' and 'Black', each comprising of 5 tracks.

Favorite actors: Fujiyama Naomi, Steve Buscemi
Favorite director: Jim Jarmusch
Is engaged to actress Yuu Kashii.

As an actor: