PROFiILE(English)
Mayumi Wakamura
Mayumi Wakamura (born January 3, 1967 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actor known for her versatility, appearing in films, TV and stage performance that ranged from comedies to serious plays, from classic to contemporary plays.
Her career started from the MUMEIJYUKU, one of the most famous theatrical troupes in Japan and became popular nationwide, when she made her major debut as the heroine in the “Hassai Sensei”, (1987). She has high reputation as an actress with the beautiful gestures, wearing Kimono as evidenced by her qualification as a Master of Nihon Buyo, Japanese traditional dance.
Her notable movies/TV dramas include,
Movies:
“Kinyu Fusyoku Retto Jubaku” (English title “Spellbound”) (1999),
“Rinjo”(2012),
“Rogo no Shikin ga Arimasen” (English title “What Happened to Our Nest Egg!?”) (2021)”
“Watashi ni Fusawashi Hotel (English title “The Hotel of My Dream” (2024) etc
NHK TV dramas:
“Kasuga no Tsubone（1989）”,
“Nobunaga（1992）”,
“Princess Atsu（2008）”,
“Burning Flower（2015）”
*These 4 are NHK’s historical epic series, which are regarded as the most prestigious dramas in Japanese entertainment industry.
“Hassai Sensei”, (1987)
“Half Blue Sky” (2018)
“Ocyoyan” (2020)
*These 3 are NHK’s morning TV drama series, regarded as the most popular drama series among wide audience more the 60 years.
Other nationwide TV dramas:
“Kono Subarashiki Sekai” (English title “What a Wonderful World”) （2023）”,
“Yozakura Osome（2003）”,
“Shiroi Kyoto” -literally The White Tower-（2003）”
“Kasoken no Onna” (English title “The Woman of Science Research Institute”)（1999-2024）”
“Shizumanu Taiyo” (English title “The sun does not sink”)（2016）” (WOWOW) etc.
Voice appearance: “Ally McBeal” – as the voice for Ally, an American legal comedy drama, “FM theater” – the NHK radio drama etc.
Stage performance as an actor / a producer: The World of Stage Plays – produced by Mayumi Wakamura
The World of Stage Plays is an experimental adventure for Mayumi, to challenge the theatrical realm that is different from her daily work as an actor in film and television. She started in 2011 as her life's work, which she conceived and produces herself, and has been presenting her own stage productions of works from all ages and countries, arranged in her own way such as “Macbeth” (William Shakespeare) , “Caligula” (Albert Camu), “Children” (Lucy Kirkwook), “Le Pere”, “Le Fils” and “La Mere” (Florian Zeller) etc.
Awards and Honors:
33rd Elandor Newcomer Award – One of the most prestigious award, given to the most active and promising new actors throughout the year as selected by ALL NIPPON PRODUCER ASSOCIATION.（1989）.
33rd Kinokuniya Theatre Award for Individual Achievement for “Thérèse Lacan” (T.P.T.). （1998）
23rd Japan Academy Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for “Spellbound””, （1999）
38th Galaxy Award for Indivisual achievement for “Yanagibashi Bojyo” (NHK TV drama) (2000)
25th and 27th Yomiuri Theater Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress for “The Kuuki” / “Shigosen no Inori” (2017) and “Le Pere” (2019)
Height: 162.5cm / 5 feet 4 inches
Marital status: Predeceased by husband, currently single
