Biography
Masumi Okada was a French-born Japanese actor, producer, singer, comedian and television personality, also known by the nickname 'Fanfan'. Born Otto Sevaldsen on 22 September 1935 in Nice, France, he moved to Japan as a child and was educated at Saint Joseph College in Yokohama. He debuted on stage in 1952 and signed with Nikkatsu in 1954, appearing in his first film the following year.
Okada appeared in over 140 films across more than five decades, with roles including Frank in Crazed Fruit (1956), Brother Michael in the television series Shōgun (1980), Lt. Wadakura in The Hunted (1995) and Chief of the Palace in Izo (2004). He also worked as a producer on Battle Royale (2000) and Battle Royale II: Requiem (2003), and as executive producer on Blue (2002). Active on stage and television, his credits included Toho musicals and the Japanese production of La Cage aux Folles.
