Biography
Masahiko Nishimura is a Japanese actor known for his work in theatre, film and television, as well as voice roles in animation. Born on 12 December 1960 in Toyama, Toyama Prefecture, he studied photography at Toyo University before entering the theatre. He joined the Tokyo Sunshine Boys comedy troupe, formed with playwright Kōki Mitani and others, and became a regular performer in Mitani's stage productions.
Nishimura gained wider recognition in the 1990s through Mitani's works. He appeared in the 1997 films Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald as Tatsuhiko Ushijima and Woman in Witness Protection, winning the Japanese Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and a Blue Ribbon Award for the latter. His voice credits include Kouroku in Princess Mononoke (1997) and Kurokawa in The Wind Rises (2013). He has continued to work extensively in film and television, often in supporting comedic roles.
