Yuki Matsuzaki

Biography

Yuki Matsuzaki, born in Miyazaki, Japan began acting at the age of 7 in a small theatrical group that performed for children. He performed over 50 shows in local theaters until he was 18. Upon graduating high school, he decided to dedicate his life to acting and moved to New York City to become an accomplished actor with the versatility to perform in both English and Japanese. Upon his arrival, all his money was stolen and he became homeless. In order to survive, he started performing on the streets of Times Square where his first day tally after performing 8-hours was a mere $4.00. All his endurance and hard work was rewarded when Edward Zwick cast Yuki for The Last Samuri (2003). He began booking roles in such films as Drunken Sword (2005) and Roku (2005). Next Clint Eastwood cast him as Nozaki in Letters from Iwo Jima (2006). Eastwood favored Yuki for his unique preparation. In order to prepare for his role, Yuki only digested celery and water for five weeks to experience famine, confined himself inside dark closets and bathrooms to recreate the claustrophobic atmosphere for the cave fighting sequences. After Letters from Iwo Jima (2006), NBC offered Yuki a co-star role in their hit TV show Heroes (2006/II). In 2009, Matsuzaki starred alongside Steve Martin, Andy Garcia, Alfred Molina and Aishwarya Rai as a member of an international dream team of detectives in Pink Panther 2 (2009).

Known For

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

as Garheng

The Last Samurai

as Soldier in Street #1

Heroes

as Worker

Letters from Iwo Jima

as Private Nozaki

We Bare Bears

as Kenji Watanabe / Additional Voices (voice)

iCarly

as Taxi Driver

The Man in the High Castle

as Nakamura

The Pink Panther 2

as Kenji

How Do You Know

as Tori

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

as Usagi (voice)