Christopher McCombs

Last updated

Christopher McCombs
Christopher McCombs at The Benza Premiere.jpg
Born
Christopher Brian McCombs

(1980-08-25) 25 August 1980 (age 43)
Geneva, Ohio, United States
Alma mater College of Southern Nevada
Occupation(s)Actor, model, writer
Years active1995–present
Parent(s)Karen Callahan
David McCombs

Christopher Brian McCombs (born 25 August 1980) is an American actor and model. He is the creator, star, writer, and producer of the Japanese on demand series The Benza and its spin off series Benza English on Amazon Prime Video. He is known for portraying Michael in the Netflix original series Followers, [1] and for stage roles such as Hoteye in the live action production of Fairy Tail . [2] McCombs is fluent in Japanese, and has won several acting awards for his performances in English and Japanese alike. [3] [4]

Contents

Early life

McCombs was born in Geneva, Ohio and moved to Cleveland with his mother, teacher Karen Callahan, at a young age. He began acting and modeling professionally in high school at the age of fifteen when his gifted education teacher pushed him into auditioning for shows. [5]

He credits his father, David McCombs, for his interest in the Japanese language. When he was a child, his father bought him and his brother a Super Famicom and he began playing video games in Japanese. This led to his interest in formally studying the language as an adult. [6]

Career

McCombs moved to Tokyo, Japan in 2010 [7] after studying Japanese at the College of Southern Nevada and University of Las Vegas. [8] Though he initially went to Tokyo to work as a model, he began working in variety television shows and appeared regularly on MX Television's Go Ji Ni Muchu for a year. [9] In addition, McCombs appeared as a regular cast member on educational television shows like NHK E Television’s EiEiGo!, Shigoto no Kiso Eigo, and Omotenashi no Kiso Eigo. [10]

In 2016, in both the Chinese and Japanese stage production of the manga series Fairy Tail , McCombs portrayed the character Hoteye. [2]  In 2020, McCombs played the recurring role of Michael in the Netflix series Followers . [11]

Since 2017, McCombs appears weekly as the host of Television Asahi’s Kodawari Navi. [12]  He appears as himself semi-regularly as a guest commentator on NHK1’s Bento Expo. [13]  He occasionally works as a reporter for NHK World on JTrip Japan. [14]

McCombs is the creator, writer, and star of The Benza , a Japanese on demand television series which began streaming in 2019. Additionally, he created the spin-off series Benza English in 2020, and wrote the story and dialog for a retro RPG video game based on The Benza, called The Benza RPG . [15]

Tokyo Cowboys

In 2015, McCombs founded the Tokyo-based independent production company Tokyo Cowboys to help create better roles for foreigners wanting to work in entertainment in Japan, regardless of race, gender, or sexual preference. McCombs acts as both producer and head script writer. [16]

Though originally focused on making short films, like the award-winning LGBT short "The Actor and the Model", [17] [18] Tokyo Cowboys began making serialized entertainment in 2019 with The Benza on Amazon Prime Video followed by its spin-off series Benza English . In 2023, McCombs executive produced and appeared in Tokyo Cowboy's first non-narrative streaming series "Getting Dirty in Japan" via Amazon Prime Video of Japan. [19]

He is quoted by SoraNews24 as saying, "I had only been here for six years but I had already realized that the quality of roles for foreigners in Japan were not (and are not) very good. Lost gaijin, loud gaijin, rude gaijin...To make matters worse, there is a lot of confusion in Japanese culture as to who is 'talento' [celebrities who often appear on TV as themselves] and who is an 'actor.' So, when you are appearing as an actor and playing the fool, it is often mistaken for 'talento.' People assume you are...a fool." [20]

Filmography

Christopher McCombs at Tokyo Comic Con 2022 Christopher McCombs at Tokyo Comic Con 2022.jpg
Christopher McCombs at Tokyo Comic Con 2022

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef(s)
2012Gojinimuchuu (五時に夢中)Self
2015EieiGo! (エイエイGo)Various Roles
2017Shigoto No Kiso Eigo (仕事の基礎英語)Various Roles
2017–presentKodawari Navi (こだわりナビ)DJ Chris [12]
2018Omotenashi No Kiso Eigo (おもてなしの基礎英語)Various Roles
2019–presentBento ExpoSelf [13]
2019–present The Benza ChrisCreator and producer
2020 Benza English ChrisCreator and producer
2020 Followers Michael [11]
2021-2023Onishi Hiroto's Basic English Recipe (大西泰斗の英会話☆定番レシピ)SelfStudio commentator [21]
2023 Getting Dirty in Japan (ゲッティング・ダーティ・イン・ジャパン)SelfReporter and executive producer

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesRef(s)
2014Miracle: Devil Claus' Love and MagicCarlos [22]
2024AichakuLucasCurrently in Production [23]

Video games

YearTitleRoleNotesRef(s)
2021 The Benza RPG ChrisWriter [15]

Theater

YearProductionTheaterRoleRef(s)
2016 Fairy Tail Sunshine TheaterHoteye [24]

Awards

Able to perform in both Japanese and English, McCombs has won several awards for his acting. Most notably, he won Best Actor for his role in the Japanese short film The Actor and the Model at Formosa Festival of International Film in Taiwan as well as the Rising Star award at the 2018 Seoul Webfest in Korea [25] and the Best Actor award at the 2019 edition for his leading role in the television series The Benza. [26]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akira Emoto</span> Japanese actor

Akira Emoto is a Japanese actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenichi Matsuyama</span> Japanese actor

Kenichi Matsuyama is a Japanese actor. He is known for his affinity for strange character roles, and he is best known internationally for playing L in the 2006 films Death Note, Death Note 2: The Last Name and L: Change the World in 2008. He was cast to play lead character Toru Watanabe in the film adaptation of Haruki Murakami's novel Norwegian Wood, which was released in December 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hidetoshi Nishijima (actor)</span> Japanese actor

Hidetoshi Nishijima is a Japanese actor model. He is widely regarded as one of Japan's leading actors, having appeared in a wide range of films from science fiction films such as Shin Ultraman (2022) to small-scale art films such as Dolls (2002). He gained international recognition for his critically acclaimed leading role in the 2021 film Drive My Car, for which he received the Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haruka Ayase</span> Japanese actress, model and singer

Haruka Ayase is a Japanese actress, model and singer who started her career as a gravure idol in 2000. She has since become a leading actress in television and film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kasumi Arimura</span> Japanese actress

Kasumi Arimura is a Japanese actress. Her television roles have included the young Haruko Amano in the 2013 NHK asadora Amachan and the lead role in the 2017 asadora Hiyokko. She has also appeared in several films, including Flying Colors, for which she won a 39th Japan Academy Film Prize for Newcomer of the Year, and We Made A Beautiful Bouquet, for which she won the 45th Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Actress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taishi Nakagawa</span> Japanese actor (born 1998)

Taishi Nakagawa is a Japanese actor, host, and model. He is best known for his leading role as Yuiji Kira in the live action Closest Love To Heaven, and as Tenma Hase in the second season of Hana Yori Dango.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzu Hirose</span> Japanese actress (born 1998)

Suzu Hirose is a Japanese actress and model.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hana Sugisaki</span> Japanese actress

Hana Sugisaki is a Japanese actress who was previously signed to Stardust Promotion. Her former stage name was Hana Kajiura.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kanna Hashimoto</span> Japanese actress and singer

Kanna Hashimoto is a Japanese actress and former singer. From 2011 to 2017, she was a member of the Fukuoka-based idol girl group Rev. from DVL. During her time with the group, in 2013, a fan-taken photo of her performing went viral on Twitter and 2channel, bringing her to nationwide attention.

Ryoma Takeuchi is a Japanese actor, model and television personality who is affiliated with Horipro. He was a Rissho University Global Environmental Sciences student. He is best known for his role as Shinnosuke Tomari, the main character of the Kamen Rider series Kamen Rider Drive.

Hayato Isomura is a Japanese actor who is represented by the talent agency Blue Label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryohei Suzuki</span> Japanese actor

Ryohei Suzuki is a Japanese actor who is represented by the talent agency Horipro.

Kōtarō Yoshida is a Japanese actor and theatre director. He is currently affiliated with Horipro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mei Nagano</span> Japanese actress

Mei Nagano is a Japanese actress. Amongst her film and television credits are Rinko in the film My Love Story!, Suzume Yosano in the film Daytime Shooting Star, and Suzume Nireno in the 98th NHK asadora Hanbun, Aoi.

Yuka Itaya is a Japanese actress and caster. She is represented with Amuse, Inc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hio Miyazawa</span> Japanese actor and model (born 1994)

Hio Miyazawa is a Japanese-American actor and model. He was born in San Francisco, United States.

<i>The Benza</i> Japanese web TV series

The Benza is a Japanese web television comedy that premiered on Amazon Prime Video via Prime Video Direct in April 2019 in the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan. It then premiered in Germany in July 2019. It is currently available in over 130 countries via Amazon Prime Video and Plex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Janni Olsson</span> Swedish television presenter (born 1985)

Janni Olsson is a Swedish TV host, model, actress and outdoor columnist. She is the creator, producer and host of the outdoor documentary series Getting Dirty in Japan which started streaming on Amazon Prime Video in Japan in April 2023 and is known for her appearances on Japanese television shows such as Trails to Oishii Tokyo(former Trails to Tsukiji), Cycle Around Japan, J-Trip Plan, Tokyo Eye 2020, and Journeys in Japan of NHK World-Japan. Olsson plays the character Alena Treasurehunter in the Amazon Prime Video series The Benza and its spin-off series Benza English and the video game The Benza RPG.

<i>Benza English</i> Japanese On Demand TV series

Benza English is a Japanese on demand comedy series that premiered on Amazon Prime Video via Prime Video Direct in April 2020 in the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan. Shortly after, it began streaming in seventy additional territories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nijirō Murakami</span> Japanese actor and voice actor (born 1997)

Nijiro Murakami is a Japanese actor and voice actor. He is best known for his role as Kaito in the 2014 romance film Still the Water, which was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival. Murakami's role in Last of the Wolves (2021) received critical acclaim, and earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the 45th Japan Academy Film Prize. He also gained international recognition for his role as Shuntaro Chishiya in Netflix's survival drama Alice in Borderland (2020–2022).

References

  1. ↑ Weiss, Hannah. "Netflix's 'Followers' takes viewers inside the glittering world of Tokyo's Instagram influencers". Insider. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  2. 1 2 "ライブ・ファンタジー「FAIRY TAIL」 | 日本2.5次元ミュージカル協会". www.j25musical.jp. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  3. ↑ Inc, Natasha. ""壊れた便座"巡る日本発のコメディ「The Benza」韓国の国際映画祭で2冠（コメントあり）". 映画ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved January 9, 2021.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  4. ↑ "LGBT映画『The Actor and The Model』が国際映画祭で賞を取ったぞ!!". ちるちる (in Japanese). Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Foreigners in Japan Profile - featuring Chris McCombs". The Japan Guy. September 13, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Hamish Downie's Five More Questions With Christopher McCombs". Two Gay Geeks. February 25, 2022. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  7. ↑ Sturdevant, Kayla (April 1, 2018). "Tokyo Cowboys shoot for more diversity on Japanese screens". The Japan Times. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  8. ↑ "The Benza (Prime Video) : interviews de l'équipe -". smallthings.fr (in French). July 3, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  9. ↑ "TOKYO MX ＊ 5時に夢中！ - 曜日コーナー紹介". www.mxtv.co.jp. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  10. ↑ "The Benza Chris クリス". tokyo-cowboys. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  11. 1 2 株式会社フリー・ウエイブ (October 15, 2020). "NETFLIXオリジナルドラマ『F♡LL♡WERS』に クリス・マッコームスが出演！！ | 東京で外国人モデル・タレント・ナレーターをお探しならフリー・ウエイブ". Free Wave (in Japanese). Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  12. 1 2 "vivia". www.tv-asahipro.co.jp. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  13. 1 2 株式会社フリー・ウエイブ (July 2, 2019). "本日放送！NHK総合「BENTO EXPO」に外国人俳優のクリス・マッコームスが出演します！ | 東京で外国人モデル・タレント・ナレーターをお探しならフリー・ウエイブ". Free Wave (in Japanese). Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  14. ↑ The Age-Old Beauty of a Castle Town & The Deep World of Origami - J-Trip Plan - TV | NHK WORLD-JAPAN Live & Programs , retrieved March 17, 2021[ permanent dead link ]
  15. 1 2 Goodpastor, Joshua (December 30, 2020). "The Benza RPG Brings Free-To-Play Retro Action To PC and iOS Devices | Happy Gamer". HappyGamer. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  16. ↑ "外国人もLGBTも普通に生活している、それが当たり前だと思える日本の未来を目指して一" [Foreigners and LGBT people are living normally, aiming for the future of Japan, which seems to be the norm]. Badi (in Japanese). Japan. November 21, 2017. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  17. ↑ "アメリカ人×日本人のゲイカップルを描く「The Actor and The Model」12月に上映会へ". genxy-net.com (in Japanese). November 17, 2016. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  18. ↑ "LGBT映画『The Actor and The Model』が国際映画祭で賞を取ったぞ!!". ちるちる (in Japanese). Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  19. ↑ "新しいスタイルの旅番組『ゲッティング・ダーティ・イン・ジャパン』アマゾンプライムで配信開始！". Kaigai Drama Navi. Japan. April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Toilet-seat themed comedic-adventure The Benza breaks new ground for foreign talent in Japan". SoraNews24 -Japan News-. August 14, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  21. ↑ 大西, 泰斗 (September 18, 2021). "テレビ 大西泰斗の英会話☆定番レシピ 2021年10月号". テレビ 大西泰斗の英会話☆定番レシピ 2021年10月号. Japan: NHK. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  22. ↑ "Miracle devil claus love and magic" (in Japanese). Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  23. ↑ "Aichaku" . Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  24. ↑ "ライブ・ファンタジー「FAIRY TAIL」". Nelke (in Japanese). Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  25. ↑ Maxwell (September 13, 2023). "How To Maintaining Physical Health essential for Living a healthy life – Learn Healthy Life". Learn Healthy Life. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  26. ↑ "日本発のコメディ映画「The Benza」が海外でダブル受賞！シリーズ化が決定！". ニコニコニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved January 9, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.