Anna Sawai

Actress, Singer

Japanese, New Zealander Wellington, New Zealand

Quick Info

ProfessionActress, Singer
NationalityJapanese, New Zealander
Date of Birth11/06/1992
Age33 years
BirthplaceWellington, New Zealand

Latest News about Anna Sawai

01/2025

Anna Sawai won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series in January 2025 for her role as Toda Mariko in the FX historical drama Shōgun. This award came several months after she made Emmy history in 2024 by becoming the first Japanese actress and first actress of Asian descent to win the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

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Bio/Wiki

Profession(s)
  • Actress
  • Singer

Physical Stats & More

Height5' (155 cm)
Eye ColorBlack
Hair ColorBlack

Educational Qualification(s)

College/UniversitySophia University Yotsuya Campus, Tokyo, Japan

Personal Life

Marital StatusUnmarried
ReligionChristianity
Food HabitNon-vegetarian
Hobbies
  • Watching Movies
  • Listening to Music
Languages
  • Japanese
  • English

Relationships & More

Marital StatusUnmarried

Family

FatherElectronics company employee
MotherPiano teacher
SiblingsSister- Reina Sawai (Ballet Dancer)

Career

Debut
FilmNinja Assassin (2009) as 'Kiriko'
Japanese TV showAnnie (2004) as 'Annie' (stage production broadcast on Nippon TV)
Awards
  • Year: 2023 Award: Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series at the Independent Spirit Awards For: Pachinko (2022)
  • Year: 2024 Award: Individual Achievement in Drama Award at the Television Critics Association Awards For: Shōgun (2024)
  • Year: 2024 Award: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series Award at the Primetime Emmy Awards For: Shōgun (2024)
  • Year: 2025 Award: Best Actress in a Drama Series at the Golden Globe Awards For: Shōgun (2024)
Career Highlights
  • She started performing at the age of 11 in a Nippon TV production.
  • Auditioned for Avex Inc. in 2006 and received training at their music and dance boot camp.
  • Joined the girl group Avex Rising Angels and later Faky, gaining fame as a lead vocalist.
  • Transitioned to acting with roles in various TV series and films, including Giri/Haji and F9: The Fast Saga.
  • Made Emmy history by becoming the first Asian woman to win a Primetime Emmy in 2024.
  • Made Emmy history by becoming the first Japanese actress and first actress of Asian descent to win a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2024.
  • Won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series in January 2025 for her role as Toda Mariko in Shōgun.
  • Named Cartier brand ambassador in September 2024.

Favourites

Carry-AllStella McCartney Falabella Mini Tote Bag
Lip ServiceCharlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner
BlingTiffany & Co. Tiffany Knot Ring in Yellow Gold
Mood-SetterDr. Vranjes Firenze Rosso Nobile Diffuser
SkincareDrunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream
Hair CareDavines OI Oil
BookWoman's Life — For Chrysanthemum by Shūsaku Endō
Alcoholic DrinkJinmon Organic Sobacha Buckwheat Tea
SweetsHi-Chew Fruit Candy
Healthy SnackShirakiku Okame Natto
Self-Care ToolReFa Carat Ray Face and Body Roller
AthleisureReformation Vintage Crewneck Sweatshirt and Boyfriend Sweatpants
ShadesRay-Ban New Clubmaster Optics Glasses
ShoesNew Balance Unisex 530 Running Shoes

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Anna was born in New Zealand and moved to Yokohama, Japan, at the age of 10.
2. She had early musical training since childhood, being taught to sing and play the piano by her mother.
3. Her family relocated multiple times due to her father's job, living in places like Hong Kong and the Philippines.
4. Before her successful career, she had her first acting role at 11 in a popular children's TV show.
5. She has significant training and experience in both music performance and acting, evident from her successful transitions in both fields.
6. In 2012, while still in college, she performed the U.S. national anthem at a major sporting event.
7. She beat off competition from around 10,000 applicants to land the lead role in the 2004 stage production of Annie.
8. She shared the Annie role with Riko Miyahara and both performed at a press conference in Annie outfits.
9. She wanted to audition for the role of Katana in the 2016 superhero film Suicide Squad but was prevented by her agency due to her FAKY commitments.
10. She met with Shōgun co-creator Justin Marks to ensure that Lady Mariko would not be an overly sexualized or limited portrayal of Japanese women.
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