Koichi Sakamoto

Infobox actor
Name = Koichi Sakamoto


image_size = 200px
birthdate = birth date and age|1970|09|29
birthplace = Tokyo, Japan
yearsactive = 1994 — present

nihongo|Koichi Sakamoto|坂本 浩一|Sakamoto Kōichi|extra=born on September 29 1970 in Tokyo, Japan is a Japanese-born stunt actor, and producer for films and television. He is best known for his work as executive producer on the long running Power Rangers franchise.

Biography

Early career

Sakamoto graduated from Adachi ward Higashiayase junior high and high school, and went on to graduate from Matsudo Senshu University. A fan of Jackie Chan and Super Sentai, Sakamoto worked to become a stunt performer for Blue Mask on "Hikari Sentai Maskman" at live stunt shows, performing at Kōrakuen Stadium and Tokyo Dome.

He came to the United States in 1989 as a foreign student to learn English and became a stunt actor.

His first major stunt role was in 1994 with "" as "Sakai." Sakamoto eventually married the film's unit production manager, Tamara Noland with whom they had one daughter, Matilda, prior to their separating. He went onto marry stuntwoman and suit actor Mokoto Nagino in 2002.

Power Rangers

Sakamoto had also formed Alpha Stunts Production and was enlisted as 2nd Unit Director for the "battle grid" scenes from Saban Entertainment's short-lived syndicated live-action children's series VR Troopers. This led to him to eventually replacing Jeff Pruitt as stunt directior for the 3rd season of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Sakamoto would then go on to become the 2nd Unit Director for the remainder of the "Power Rangers" series, eventually filling the roles of Producer, Executive Producer, even completing the final storyboard for "Countdown to Destruction", the two-part series finale episode of "Power Rangers in Space" (originally drafted to be three episodes).

He also made an appearance as Tritor (uncredited) in the 2-part "" episode, "King For a Day" (he only moved his lips, however, while character voice over work was performed by Paul St. Peter). Sakamoto became one of the few original crew members from MMPR Productions to remain with the production following its move to New Zealand in 2003 when the franchise was transferred from Saban Entertainment to Disney.

Other Works

In 2006, Sakamoto served as action unit director and choreographer in . [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0790781/fullcredits Wendy Wu - Full Cast and Crew] "IMBD.com". Accessed 2008-09-07] [ [http://www.film.com/tv/wendy-wu-homecoming-warrior/14654269 Wendy Wu - Television Shows at Film.com] "film.com". Accessed 2008-09-07] He recently trained The Jonas Brothers for a week and a half, in preparation for filming "J.O.N.A.S!"

References

External links

* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0757084/ Koichi Sakamoto] at IMDB