Issei Ishida

Issei Ishida (石田壹成), born April 4, 1973 in Tokyo, Japan, is a Japanese actor. His father is the well-known actor Junichi Ishida (石田纯一). Issei began performing at an early age. His representative works include the TV dramas Under the Same Roof (同一屋檐下), Underage (未成年) and The March of the Saints (圣者的行进); his 1993 appearance in Under the Same Roof made him familiar to Chinese audiences.

In his career, Issei debuted in 1992, playing the role of Kohei (浩平) in the drama After School (放課後). He went on to gain experience in television, film and stage. In 1993 he appeared in the drama Sad Weather (令人悲伤的天气), and shortly thereafter won Best Actor at the 7th Television Drama Academy Awards for his lead role in Underage. In 1994 he again appeared in Sad Weather, gradually establishing his acting foundation.

In 1995 Issei gained greater attention for his work in Underage. In 1998 he won Best Actor at the 16th Television Drama Academy Awards for his performance in The March of the Saints. He later starred in or played major roles in numerous productions, including the film Indian Summer (印第安夏天), marking a return in 2005, and the TV dramas Yokohama Tales (横滨见闻传) and Flowers for Algernon (献给阿尔吉侬的花束).

On the personal side, Issei married former actress Miyake Megumi (三宅惠美) at the end of 2003; the couple had a son, Ishida Nanon (石田七音). In spring 2004 he gave his first interview and made a public appearance. On January 30, 2006 he announced his divorce from Miyake; custody of their son went to the mother. In 2014 he remarried a non-celebrity woman, but announced their divorce in October 2017.

Aside from screen work, Issei has also appeared on stage, including the 2001 production Ōedo Rocket (大江户Rocket). His works have attracted attention not only in Japan but also in China and elsewhere. He remains active in film, television and theatre.