| Tim Kano | |
|---|---|
| Born | Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Nationality | New Zealand, Japanese |
| Years active | 2001–present |
Tim Kano is a New Zealand actor, known for playing Leo Tanaka in the Australian television soap opera Neighbours from 2016. He also stars in the 2021 horror film Great White.
Early life
Kano's mother Sue is from New Zealand with Irish heritage, and his father Fujio, was Japanese. Kano was born in Christchurch and grew up between Wellington, New Zealand and Japan with his sister Maya. Upon returning to New Zealand after spending his primary school years in Japan, Kano took modelling and acting jobs and completed a media and film studies course. Kano returned to Japan to study Political Science at university in Tokyo. Working in politics was a goal for Kano, who worked for MP Chris Carter for a year.
Career
Beginning his career in New Zealand, Kano played an extra in The Lord of the Rings and had some other small parts in TV and movies from 2001. In 2009, he starred in the interactive online drama series Reservoir Hill.
Kano's big break came when he joined Australian soap opera, Neighbours in 2016 as entrepreneur Leo Tanaka. He obtained the role after auditioning for both Leo and his twin brother David Tanaka, which eventually went to Takaya Honda. Kano said he grew up watching Neighbours in New Zealand and found meeting the actors "amazing but a bit confronting". With the goal of making a life in Hollywood, Kano left Neighbours in 2019, but made a return in 2021.
In 2019, Kano filmed the movie Great White in which he plays Joji, a Japanese businessman. In 2021, Kano played Ian in the TV comedy series, The Power of the Dream. He also featured in the Paramount+ comedy series Spreadsheet.
Personal life
Kano resides in Melbourne with his dog and is a fan of 1950s American men's style.
Once a singer in a punk band, Kano can also play guitar.
Franklin Fisher of the band Algiers, is Kano's brother in-law.
In 2018, Kano was nominated as a Cosmopolitan Bachelor of the Year.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | The Tribe | Chosen Guard Clark | Guest role |
| 2003 | Freaky | Ryan | Episode: "Slide, Lab-Rats & Radio" |
| 2008 | Loss of Innocence | Major Phelps | Short film |
| 2009–2010 | Reservoir Hill | Matt Moorland | Guest role |
| 2015 | Holding The Man | Ian | Guest role |
| 2016 | Winners & Losers | Jamie Walton | Episode: "Ready Set Go" |
| Road Trip | Leo Tanaka | Web series | |
| 2016–2022, 2023–present | Neighbours | Leo Tanaka | Main cast |
| 2016 | Summer Stories | Leo Tanaka | Web series |
| 2017 | Neighbours vs Time Travel | Leo Tanaka | Web series |
| 2021 | Great White | Joji Minase | Feature film |
| The Power Of The Dream | Ian | Guest role | |
| Spreadsheet | Chase | Episode: "Banjos & Dirty Duck" | |
| 2022 | La Brea | Anthony | Episode: "The Fog" |
| 2023 | Love Me | Lindsay | 1 episode |
References
- ^ Nikas-Boulos, Catherine (2 June 2017). "For a New Zealander who has lived, worked, studied and travelled abroad, Neighbours star Tim Kano is happy to call Melbourne home". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
- ^ "Actor Focus: Tim Kano". Cinema Australia. 18 April 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- ^ Hawkins, Joanne (16 September 2017). "Tim Kano". Herald Sun. Retrieved 24 May 2024 – via Gale.
- Kilkelly, Daniel (30 May 2021). "Exclusive: Neighbours star Tim Kano discusses Leo Tanaka return". Digital Spy. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- Kilkelly, Daniel; Sandwell, Ian (26 May 2021). "Neighbours star Tim Kano explains how Great White is different to Jaws". Digital Spy. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- "Comedy mockumentary series, The Power of the Dream, follows aspiring Olympians with no sporting skill". TV Blackbox. 30 May 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- Knox, David (17 October 2021). "Spreadsheet". TV Tonight. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
- "At Home With... Tim Kano". The Iconic. 7 May 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- "Cosmopolitan & Tinder Host Bachelor of the Year Competition". Global Dating Insights. 23 February 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2021.