From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sanma Akashiya
Born	July 1, 1955 (1955-07-01) (age 54) Kushimoto, Wakayama Pref., Japan
Medium	Owarai Television
Nationality	Japanese
Years active	1974 – Present
Genres	Owarai

Sanma Akashiya (明石家 さんま, Akashiya Sanma^?, born July 1, 1955 in Kushimoto, Wakayama, Japan, raised in Nara) is a Japanese TV comedian and actor. His real name is Takafumi Sugimoto (杉本 高文, Sugimoto Takafumi^?). He is employed by Yoshimoto Corporation.

Commonly known as simply "Sanma", he along with Beat Takeshi (Takeshi Kitano) and Tamori (Kazuyoshi Morita) are considered the "Big 3" tarento of Japan. Sanma's nickname is Owarai Kaiju (お笑い怪獣, Comedy Monster^?). He is known for his ability to endlessly carry a conversation. His protruding front teeth are often ridiculed by even himself.

Programs

• Koi no Karasawagi (Much Ado About Love) (Nippon TV)
• Odoru Sanma Goten (Nippon TV)
• Sanma-no Super Karakuri TV (TBS)
• Sanma no Manma (Kansai TV)
• Appare! Sanma Daikyōju (Fuji TV)
• Tūkai! Akashiya TV (Mainichi Broadcasting System, Inc.)
• Young Town Doyōbi (MBS Radio, with Ai Takahashi and Sayumi Michishige)
• Hatachi no Koibito (TBS)
• Honmadekka!? TV (Fuji TV)