Takashi Okamura (comedian)

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Takashi Okamura (岡村隆史 Okamura Takashi) is a Japanese comedian, born on July 3, 1970 in Osaka. He is the shorter and more energetic half of the owarai duo Ninety-nine also known as Nai Nai in Japan. He is the "comic stooge" or boke of the group. His nicknames range from "OkatakaLeader" to "Okachan". His partner is Hiroyuki Yabe, or "Yabecchi."

Okamura has consistently been a large-audience draw on Japanese TV for his wild antics, such as breakdancing naked while wearing the cowl of anime/professional wrestling hero Tiger Mask. At 156cm (the tallest person in his family) he is a striking contrast to the lankier Yabe.

They formed Ninety-nine in 1990 (when Okamura dropped out of Ritsumeikan University), and in 1993 won a New Talent Prize. Okamura cried with joy when interviewed after receiving the prize. The following year, Ninety-Nine hosted their first on-air show "Ninety-Nine All Night Nippon," which is still aired today. Their success continued to grow with their program "Mecha-Mecha Iketeru!" In 1999, Okamura fell, breaking his right shoulder. He has also appeared in the Japanese stage adaptation of The Lion King.