Lily Franky

About

Multi-award-winning actor who appeared in nearly 100 individual films between the start of his career in 2001 and 2023. He is perhaps best known for his role as Osamu Shibata in the 2018 crime drama thriller Shoplifters, his portrayal of Yudai Saiki in the 2013 drama film Like Father, Like Son, and his hailed performance in the highly lauded 2013 thriller The Devil's Path. He has also starred in television roles for shows including the Netflix original series The Naked Director and He's Expecting. 

Before Fame

He graduated from the University of Yuri, where he earned a nickname that translated to "Lily." He crafted his stage name out of a combination of that moniker's translation and the title of the 1980s pop band Frankie Goes to Hollywood. He made his professional acting debut in 2001, in the Teruo Ishii-directed horror film Blind Beast vs. Killer Dwarf. 

Trivia

Outside of acting, he is also a renowned musician, illustrator, animation filmmaker, photographer, and essayist. He is also the author of numerous novels, including his bestselling autobiography, Tokyo Tower: Mom and I, and Sometimes Dad, which he insisted on being handsomely bound to prevent its destruction by readers. 

Family Life

His birth name is Masaya Nakagawa. He comes from a mixed background of Japanese, Chinese, and Korean ancestry. His father is Japanese, and his mother is Chinese. His grandparents are Korean. He has expressed his belief that family should be regarded above all else and that there is nothing he wouldn't do for his family. 

Associated With

He co-starred with Ben Hall, Jessica Clarke, and Kasumi Arimura in the 2023 Netflix original drama film Call Me Chihiro.