Tim Kano is a New Zealand actor, known for playing Leo Tanaka in the Australian television soap opera Neighbours from 2016. He also stars in the 2021 horror film Great White.
Early life
Kano's mother Sue is from New Zealand with Irish heritage, and his father Fujio, was Japanese.[1] Kano was born in Christchurch and grew up between Wellington, New Zealand and Japan with his sister Maya.[2][1] Upon returning to New Zealand after spending his primary school years in Japan, Kano took modelling and acting jobs and completed a media and film studies course. Kano returned to Japan to study Political Science at university in Tokyo.[2][1] Working in politics was a goal for Kano, who worked for MP Chris Carter for a year.[1]
Career
Beginning his career in New Zealand, Kano played an extra in The Lord of the Rings and had some other small parts in TV and movies from 2001.[citation needed] In 2009, he starred in the interactive online drama series Reservoir Hill.[3]
Kano's big break came when he joined Australian soap opera, Neighbours in 2016 as entrepreneur Leo Tanaka. He obtained the role after auditioning for both Leo and his twin brother David Tanaka, which eventually went to Takaya Honda.[2] Kano said he grew up watching Neighbours in New Zealand and found meeting the actors "amazing but a bit confronting".[3] With the goal of making a life in Hollywood, Kano left Neighbours in 2019, but made a return in 2021.[4]
In 2019, Kano filmed the movie Great White in which he plays Joji, a Japanese businessman.[5] In 2021, Kano played Ian in the TV comedy series, The Power of the Dream.[6] He also featured in the Paramount+ comedy series Spreadsheet.[7]
Personal life
Kano resides in Melbourne with his dog and is a fan of 1950s American men's style.[8]
Once a singer in a punk band, Kano can also play guitar.[2][1]
Franklin Fisher of the band Algiers, is Kano's brother in-law.[1]
In 2018, Kano was nominated as a Cosmopolitan Bachelor of the Year.[9]
