| Eiji Wentz ウエンツ 瑛士 |
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|---|---|
| Also known as | Ei-chan, Eiji-kun, Little Shiozaki |
| Born | October 8, 1985 |
| Origin | Tokyo, Japan |
| Genres | Pop, rock |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter Actor TV personality |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Labels | Universal Music Japan |
| Website | www.wentzfc.com |
Eiji Wentz (ウエンツ瑛士 Uentsu Eiji, born October 8, 1985) is a Japanese singer, entertainer, and actor. He is a member of the singer-songwriter duo WaT, and belongs to the production company Burning Productions.
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Born in Mitaka, Tokyo to a German-American father and Japanese mother,[1] Wentz became involved in the entertainment industry at a very young age. Wentz initially started as a model at age 4, and made his acting debut as the role of Chip in the Four Seasons Musical Troupe Production of Beauty and the Beast. He became famous as a child actor as a regular on the NHK television show Tensai Terebi-kun (天才テレビくん) where he played bass guitar and piano at age 10. During live performances, he played the acoustic bass as well as the keyboard. He started learning the guitar from age 17.
He originally wanted to be a fashion model, but he was too short to become one.[2] When he terminated his contract with Tensai Terebi-kun, he decided to get away from show-business, but after the recommendation of Hiromi Go, he entered Burning Productions and became a tarento.
He began his acting career at the age of 18, when he played a minor role in the NHK television series Toshiie To Matsu.[2]
In 2007, he started to appear in several of Cocorico's comedy shows as Shorty Tanaka (ちっこい田中, Little Tanaka), and since Tensai Terebi Kun, he is a deshi (exclusive student) of Yoshimoto comedian Hosei Yamazaki.[3]
After Tensai Terebi-kun ended, Wentz continued to play music and started the band WaT with Teppei Koike. They started in 2002 with street performances. In February 2004, they released an indie-label CD. In August 2005, they signed with Universal Music Group and had their major debut in November 2005.
His popularity may be derived from his self‐mocking "comedian" character, as he often talks about his "foolishness", short height, and lack of English skill (his father is American but he can't speak English).[2]
Wentz is a follower of the baseball team Saitama Seibu Lions.[4] He was once invited to the Lions' victory ceremony in 2008, and has a large collection of baseball cards. He also has over 800 manga.[4]