Tatsuo Nadaka

Hailing from Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, Nadaka's journey began with academic pursuits, graduating from Kanazawa Institute of Technology with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Despite familial ties to a metalworking business, Nadaka ventured into the world of modeling, prompted by a chance encounter with a renowned model at Kanazawa Station. The allure of the modeling world, with its lucrative income and exposure, prompted him to take on the name Tatsuro Nadaka and pursue a career in fashion modeling.

However, his aspirations extended beyond modeling. Nadaka's path took a pivotal turn when he was scouted for acting. Overcoming initial uncertainties, he embraced the world of acting and transitioned to a full-fledged career. In 1976, he made his mark with the TBS drama "Tokyo Sunday Theater: Kon'yaku Jidai," marking his official entry into the acting scene.

Nadaka's notable roles include starring in the Tokyo 12 Channel series "Oyako Deka" (1979), where he gained prominence. Renowned for his robust and distinguished presence, Nadaka solidified his popularity with his portrayal of the lead character in "The Hangman" series, under the name Tatsuro Nadaro. At the recommendation of Yoshihiro Minami, he later adopted the name Tatsuo Nadaka in 1994. His acting range extended to antagonistic roles in recent TV dramas and his appearance in NHK's historical drama "Komyo ga Tsuji," as well as hosting travel and gourmet shows.

In 1986, Nadaka made headlines when his engagement to TV personality Kaoru Nishio was called off. Despite the intrigue, the reasons for the cancellation remained undisclosed. He later married a woman 17 years his junior, the niece of actress Yutaka Nakajima, with actor Keiju Kobayashi serving as the matchmaker. They have a son and a daughter.

In 2011, Nadaka introduced the men's accessory brand "N Collection," which he produced. The brand was launched on the TV shopping channel QVC.

Nadaka's life took a dramatic turn in 2012 when he was involved in a four-car collision caused by a rear-end collision while waiting at a traffic signal. Although he suffered mild whiplash symptoms, he proceeded with his scheduled work engagements. (Source: Wikipedia JA)