Kaori Momoi
Biography
Kaori Momoi is a Japanese actress born on April 8, 1952, in Tokyo, Japan. She studied dance at the Royal Ballet Academy in London at the age of 12 and later graduated from Japan's Bungakuza School of Dramatic Arts. Momoi debuted in the 1971 film Ai Futatabi, directed by Kon Ichikawa, and has since worked with notable Japanese film directors including Akira Kurosawa, Tatsumi Kumashiro, and Yoji Yamada. She has appeared in over 60 films, with a career spanning more than 35 years. Momoi is known for her extensive work in Japanese cinema, having collaborated with prominent directors in the industry.
Career overview
Kaori Momoi is a Japanese actress born on April 8, 1952, in Tokyo, Japan. At a young age, she traveled to London to study dance at the Royal Ballet Academy, before returning to Tokyo and graduating from Japan's Bungakuza School of Dramatic Arts. Her acting career began in 1971 with director Kon Ichikawa's film Ai Futatabi, marking the start of a career that has spanned over 35 years and included more than 60 films.
Momoi has worked with notable Japanese film directors, including Akira Kurosawa, Tatsumi Kumashiro, and Yoji Yamada. Her collaborations with these directors have resulted in a diverse range of films, showcasing her versatility as an actress. Her extensive filmography includes notable titles such as Kagemusha, directed by Akira Kurosawa, and The Yellow Handkerchief, directed by Yoji Yamada.
Throughout her career, Momoi has demonstrated her ability to adapt to various roles and working styles. Her extensive experience in the film industry has earned her a reputation as a dedicated and skilled actress. With a career spanning over three decades, Momoi continues to be a respected figure in Japanese cinema.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Too Much (2025) as Aiko Remen
- The Brightest Roof in the Universe (2022) as Mrs. Hoshi
- CLUB DEJA-VU ONE NIGHT SHOW 松田優作・メモリアル・ライブ (2022)
- 優作について私が知っている二、三の事柄 (2022)
- I Never Shot Anyone (2020) as Hikaru Tamayodo
- I AM NON (2019) as Self
- Sagi no Ko (2019)
- Get to the Punchline (2019) as Grandmother
- 遠藤憲一と宮藤官九郎の勉強させていただきます (2018)
- Ghost in the Shell (2017) as Hairi
- Tales of Mexico (2017) as Esperanza
- Magic Kimono (2017) as Keiko
- Hee (2016) as Azusa
- Hee (2016) Screenplay
- Hee (2016) Editor
- Hee (2016) Director
- Hee (2016) Art Direction
- Hee (2016) Costume Design
- Greetings from Fukushima (2016) as Satomi
- Greater Things (2015)
- Candy Boys (2015) as Narrator (voice)
- OKI - In the Middle of the Ocean (2014) as Oki
- Oh Lucy! (2014) as Setsuko / Lucy
- Emperor (2012) as Mitsuko Kajima
- Helter Skelter (2012) as Hiroko Tada
- 3.11 A Sense of Home Films (2011) as (segment "Heartquake")
- 3.11 A Sense of Home Films (2011) Director
- Toriko 3D Movie: Kaimaku! Gourmet Adventure!! (2011) as (voice)
- Hong Kong Confidential (2010) as Amaya
- Last Chestnuts (2010)
- The Yellow Handkerchief (2009) as Motel Owner
- Dance, Subaru! (2009) as Isuzu Hibino
- USB (2009)
- SCANDAL (2008) as Sindo Tamaki
- Dreaming Awake (2008)
- The Yakiniku Movie: Bulgogi (2007) as the President of Toraoh
- Sukiyaki Western Django (2007) as Ruriko
- Faces of a Fig Tree (2006)
- Faces of a Fig Tree (2006) Director
- Faces of a Fig Tree (2006) Writer
- Love and Honor (2006) as Ine Hatano
- Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) as La mère
- The Sun (2005) as Empress Kojun
- The Many Faces of Chika (2005) as Chika IV
- Izo (2004) as Saya
- Revival Blues (2004) as Kayo
- Like Asura (2003) as Toyoko Masukawa
- Madam Mari (2003) as Madam Mari
- The Life of Bangaku (2002)
- R-17 (2001)
- Beauty 7 (2001) as Shouko Iijima
- 純情商店街ゆうれい殺人事件 (2001)
- The Island Tales (2000) as Marianne
- Crossfire (2000) as Chikako Ishizu, the Detective
- ランデヴー (1998)
- A Giant Monster Appears in Tokyo (1998)
- Tadon and Chikuwa (1998)
- Gift (1997) as Rie Kitsukawa（橘川 梨江）
- Bounce Ko Gals (1997) as Saki
- Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald (1997) as Takako Nakaura
- Tokyo Lullaby (1997) as Tami Ohsawa
- Dream Stadium (1997)
- SMAP×SMAP (1996) as Bistro Guest
- Swallowtail Butterfly (1996) as Suzukino
- Tokiwa: The Manga Apartment (1996) as Fujimoto's mother
- 円都 YEN TOWN (1996)
- The Girl of Silence (1995) as Akemi Tanaka
- Furuhata Ninzaburo (1994)
- Heavenly Blue (1994) as Yukiko Hata
- Like a Rolling Stone (1994)
- Goaisatsu (1991)
- Goaisatsu (1991) Director
- Ready to Shoot (1990) as Ritsuko
- The Most Suitable Profession for Women (1990) as Kinu
- Don't Mind (1990)
- READY! LADY (1989) as Moeko
- Yume ni Mita Hibi (1989) as Tsuchiya Taeko
- Love Bites Back (1988) as Chikako Koga
- Tomorrow (1988) as Tsuruko Miura
- The Yen Family (1988) as Noriko Kimura
- Carefree Goddesses (1987) as Sakie
- Hawaiian Dream (1987) as Reiko Caine
- Final Take: The Golden Age of Movies (1986)
- No More Comics! (1986)
- Onyanko the Movie - One Shot Crisis! (1986)
- I Want To Live Once More: Shinjuku Bus Fire Incident (1985) as Mitsuko Ishii
- Female Detective Yuko Kasumi (1985) as Kasumi Yuko
- Fufu seikatsu (1985)
- Main Theme (1984) as Kayoko Ise
- Nettaiya (1983)
- Single Girl (1983)
- Gate of Youth 2 (1982) as Kaoru
- Suspicion (1982) as Kumako Onizawa
- Kidnapping Blues (1982) as Young Girl's Mother
- The Woman Next Door (1981) as Sachiko Tokizawa
- Eijanaika (1981) as Ine
- Gone Without Saying Goodbye! (1981)
- Kagemusha (1980) as Otsuyanokata
- Kanebo Human Special: Pediatric Ward - Her devoted love saved Taro's soul (1980)
- Until Evening (1980) as Sugiko Emori
- Tora-san, the Matchmaker (1979) as Hitomi
- No More Easy Life (1979) as Mariko
- Heaven Sent (1979) as Sayoko Morisaki
- Haguregumo (1978)
- 浮浪云 (1978)
- The Yellow Handkerchief (1977) as Akemi Ogawa
- I'm No Angel (1977) as Yuki
- The Roads Men Travel (1976) as Etsuko
- The Youth Killer (1976) as Ikuko Ishikawa
- Priest of Darkness (1975) as Ochiyo
- Invitation of Lust (1975) as Yasuko
- 前略おふくろ様 (1975)
- Light of Africa (1975) as Fujiko
- Bitterness of Youth (1974) as Tomiko Ohashi
- The Assassination of Ryoma (1974) as Tae
- Pieces of Autumn (1973)
- Sweet Scent of Eros (1973) as Etsuko
- Did the Red Bird Escape? (1973)
- To Love Again (1971)
- Lost Lovers (1971)
- Downtown Story