Eiji Wentz

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.

Early career

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 the age of four, 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 the age of ten. During live performances, he played the acoustic bass as well as the keyboard. He started learning the guitar from the age of 17. He is featured in popular rock band Luna Sea's music video for their 1996 single "In Silence".

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 (student) of Yoshimoto comedian Hosei Yamazaki.^[3]

Musical career

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.

Popularity

His popularity may be derived from his self‐mocking "comedian" character, as he often talks about his "foolishness", short height, and difficulty in speaking English (despite the fact his father is American).^[2]

Personal life

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]

Works

Variety television

• Hayami English Network (1994–1995)
• Tensai Terebi-kun / Tensai Terebi-kun Wide (April 1995 – March 2000)
• Chikara no Kagiri Go Go Go!! (October 2001 – February 2002)
• Shūkan Tokudane Kazoku!! (October 2002 – December 2002)
• F2/F2-X (October 2002 – September 2004)
• Nōnai Esthe IQ Supli (May 2004 – March　2009, as host)
• Pretty Kids (October 2004 – March 2005, as host)
• Hanataka Tengu (April 2005 – September 2005)
• Barioku! (October 2005 – March 2006, as host)
• Ame nimo Makezu (April 2006 – September 2006, as host)
• Ainori (April 2006 – March　2009, as host)
• Ponkikki (April 2006 – March 2007, as host)
• D no Gekijō (September 2006 – September 2007)
• Dokusen! Kinyōbi no Kokuhaku (October 2007 – March　2008)
• Kentei Japon (April 2008 – September 2008)
• Atarashii Nami 16 (October 2008 – March 2009, as host)
• Jinsei motto mankitsu　hour　Tokimeke! Week wonder (October　2008 – February　2009)
• Sakiyomi (July 2008 – present)
• Super Surprise (April 2009 – present, as host)
• Minna no Enquete Show Honne no Dendou!! Shinsuke niha wakarumai (May 2009 – present)

Television dramas

• Kyūmei Senshi Nano Seibaa (1995), a drama within the NHK show Tensai Terebi-kun
• Toshiie Tomatsu (2002) as Mori Ranmaru
• Tentei Kazoku (2002) as Tomoda Yūki
• Gokusen, part 6 guest star (2002) as Yūki Masato
• Raion Sensei (2003) as Furuta Takumi
• Fujiko Hemingu no Kiseki (2003) as Ōtsuki Urufu
• Aa, Tantei Jimusho, part 3 guest star (2004) as Inaba Yusuke
• Tadashii Renai no Susume (2005) as Takeda Hiroaki
• Rondo, part 1-2 guest star (2006) as Toda Masato
• Kirakira Kenshūi (2007) as Tachioka Ken
• Nodame Cantabile in Europe Lesson 1 & 2 (2008) as Franck
• Wagaya no Rekishi (2010) as Maruyama Akihiro

Movies

• Kamen Rider The First (2005) Mitamura Haruhiko
• Animation movie Brave Story (2006) Ashikawa Mitsuru
• Lovely Complex (2006) Dancing Yoshiko
• Captain Tokio (2007) Furuta
• Gegege no Kitarō (2007) Kitarō
• Gegege no Kitarō: Sennen Noroi Uta (2008) Kitarō
• Nodame Cantabile: Saishū Gakushō (Part 2) (2010) Franck
• Tiger Mask (2013) Naoto Date / Tiger Mask

Solo singles

• Awaking Emotion 8/5 / my brand new way (April 27, 2007)

References

External links

• Official site (Japanese)
• WaT Official site (Japanese)
• Universal Music site (Japanese)