Last updated on: January 22, 2025

Noriko Watanabe is a well-known Japanese actress and makeup artist. She is best recognized for her work in both Japanese and international films. While many people know her as the ex-wife of actor Sam Neill, Noriko has had a successful career in the entertainment industry. In this article, we’ll look at her life, career, and personal journey.

Quick Facts About Noriko Watanabe

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Noriko Watanabe was born on July 22, 1965, in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan. She grew up in Japan and began her career in acting in the early 1980s. Her big break came when she starred in the movie Tsumiki Kuzushi in 1983. She played the role of Yuko Honami and won the Japan Academy Prize for Newcomer of the Year. This was the start of her successful career in Japanese cinema.

Rising Star in Japanese Cinema

Noriko’s acting talent quickly became recognized. In 1986, she starred in His Motorbike, Her Island, playing Fuyumi Sawada. The role earned her the Best Supporting Actress award at the 8th Yokohama Film Festival. This was another highlight of her career and helped her gain more attention in the industry.

Many films and TV shows she appeared in over the years. Some of her other works include:

Ninja Wars (1982): Classic action film; she appeared as a supporting character.
Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003): Well-known monster movie; played Shun’s mother.
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005): She worked as a makeup artist on this major Hollywood film.
Hacksaw Ridge (2016): Another film where she worked in the makeup department.
Though she was renowned for acting, Noriko was also a successful actress behind the cameras. She worked on many high-profile films as a makeup artist and was involved with Memoirs of a Geisha and Hacksaw Ridge.

Marriage with Sam Neill

One aspect of Noriko Watanabe that most people can identify with is her marriage to actor Sam Neill, whose work many will remember for movies such as Jurassic Park and The Piano. Noriko and Sam were introduced through working on the movie Dead Calm. They fell into a romance, and married on September 2, 1989.

They have one biological daughter named Elena Neill from January 1991. Besides their biological daughter, Noriko also had a daughter named Maiko Spencer from some other previous relationship. When Sam married Noriko, he adopted her daughter Maiko so their two daughters could share love for one another.

The seemingly enduring marriage finally ended after three decades by divorcing in 2017. Both Noriko and Sam Neill are seen to still praise each other.

READ ALSO: Sam Neill Net worth, Age, Girlfriend, Family, Facts & More

Life After Divorce

Since her divorce, Noriko has chosen to keep a low profile. She has avoided the public spotlight and social media, focusing instead on her career in the arts. Noriko has always been described as a private person, and she prefers to keep her personal life away from media attention.

Despite stepping out of the public eye, Noriko continues to have a successful career. She is still known for her work in makeup and acting, though she no longer seeks the same level of fame she had in the past.

Net Worth and Current Life

Even though Noriko does not feature prominently in the media, there is still information about her net worth being about $1 million. It would reflect on how she had done so well as an actress and a makeup artist, having had a steady career built and, despite having divorced Sam Neill, managed to lead a low-profile and peaceful life.

Source: celebs.infoseemedia.com