Shin Koyamada
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| Shin Koyamada | |
 Shin Koyamada in 2006 |
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| Birth name | Shin Koyamada 小山田真 |
| Born | March 10, 1982 Okayama, Japan |
| Height | 5'9" (175 cm) |
| Official site | shinkoyamada.com |
| Notable roles | Nobutada - The Last Samurai Shen - Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior |
Shin Koyamada (Japanese: 小山田真; born on March 10, 1982 in Japan) is an American actor, film producer and martial artist. Shin has lived in Los Angeles in the United States since 2000 and speaks fluent Japanese and English.
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[edit] Early life
Shin Koyamada's love of American and Hong Kong action movies began as a small boy at his father (Yuichi Koyamada)'s side. His love has grown and matured into the dream of action stardom. Despite the disapproval from family and friends, he was determined to see this dream realized at an early age and turned all his energy to physical training in gymnastics as a team captain, track, triathlon.
By 16, he began to study karate. In only 18 months, Shin was tested one time only on all his accumulated knowledge and skills. He excelled and was awarded a black belt. 18 months is considered very fast to reach shodan in most martial arts, though it does vary based on circumstance. Interpretations also vary, but a black belt generally signifies a thorough understanding of the basics, and often enables the wearer to instruct in some capacity.
[edit] Hollywood
In September 2000, Koyamada came to Hollywood alone, not knowing anyone and having no place to stay. He studied English with a tutor for only six months, enrolled at Los Angeles City College in a major of Theater Academy, and secured a student visa.
Koyamada trained in Shaolin Kung Fu, including various weapons like a film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon with the Harmonious Fist Chinese Athletic Association, eventually, competing in six U.S National Martial Arts Tournaments over five months and winning first place in all but one, and that was a second. Koyamada continues to train with several teachers, including some of the industries top stunt coordinators, mastering his skills and adding to his craft.
Building an acting career with little money and no agent, manager or other Hollywood connections is an extremely difficult accomplishment. To gain experience and a portfolio, Shin worked long hours for very little or no pay in everything he could find. By 2001 at the Knightsbridge Theatre, he choreographed and performed martial arts forms and stage combat for a unique production of Shakespeare's Coriolanus. He was featured in the Disney Channel's children action show Power Rangers. His first movie work was a short film called A Ninja Pays Half My Rent.
Koyamada followed the path of those who had inspired him, icons like Bruce Lee and action stars such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li.
Submitting himself for various projects via an Internet casting site, and landed his debut feature film role in The Last Samurai. Co-starring opposite Tom Cruise in the Warner Brothers epic as Nobutada, friend to Cruise's character, Algren, a fierce archer, double swordsman, and a Samurai. While filming The Last Samurai in Japan and New Zealand, he added Kyudo (Japanese Archery) and Yabusame to his repertoire.
Now a double swordsman, master of Karate, Shaolin Kung Fu, and Tae Kwon Do. Koyamada also honed in on his acting skills with the help Director/Producer Edward Zwick and Actor/Producer Tom Cruise. Making the most of a powerful debut.
Shin was in the first ever Disney Channel Games on the Red Team along with Zac Efron, Kay Panabaker, Anneliese van der Pol, Moises Arias, and Dylan Sprouse.
In 2006, Shin starred in the action/adventure/drama Disney Channel Original Movie 'Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior' with Brenda Song as Shen, Wendy Wu's kung-fu tutor. Shin spoke not only in English from the beginning to the end of the movie, but also in a little bit of Mandarin. The entire movie was shot in Auckland, New Zealand.
[edit] Selected filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
| 2006 | Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior | Shen | First Starring Role |
| 2006 | Wine Road of the Samurai'ワイン大国を夢見た男達 ～侍達のワインロード～' | Narrator | Also, Executive Producer |
| 2005 | Constellation | Yoshito | Lead |
| 2004 | jake 2.0 | Shinji Makito | |
| 2003 | The Last Samurai | Nobutada | Co-Starring |
| 2003 | A Ninja Pays Half My Rent | Black Ninja | |
| 2001 | Power Rangers Wild Force | Agent |
[edit] Martial Arts
- Is six-time consecutive U.S. National Champion in Shaolin Kung Fu in the United States
- Holds Third Degree Black Belt in Karate
- Holds Second Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do
- Skilled in Aikido, Iaido, Judo, Kendo
[edit] Language
- Fluent in Japanese and English
- Speaks Mandarin in a feature film Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior.
- Learning Spanish
- Skilled in learning different languages in a short time
[edit] Trivia
- Shin dubbed his entire role in Disney Feature Movie Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior in Japanese
- Living in Los Angeles since 2000
- His first name '真' as 'Shin' means 'Truth' in Japanese
- Has a younger brother living in Japan named 'Jun'
- Was cast a role of Nobutada in The Last Samurai in Los Angeles in 2002
- Discovered his ancestor was real Samurai living in Kagoshima, Japan
- His Film/TV production company called 'Shinca Productions' is located in Warner Brothers Building in Burbank, California
- Was a cover of Black Belt Magazine in January 2004
[edit] Favorites
- Color: Blue, Green, Black
- Sports: Gymnastics, Tennis, Triathlon
- Style of Music: many kinds
- Food: Chinese food, Thai food, Vietnamese food
- Foreign countries like to visit: England, Italy, China
[edit] Interviews
- Asiance Magazine Interview
- Kung Fu Magazine Interview
- MovieMaker Magazine Interview
- Audrey Magazine Interview
- About.com Interveiw
