Sanma Akashiya (明石家 さんま, Akashiya Sanma, born July 1, 1955) is a Japanese comedian, TV presenter, radio personality and actor most commonly known as Sanma-san. His real name is Takafumi Sugimoto (杉本 髙文, Sugimoto Takafumi). His talent agency is Yoshimoto Kogyo and his shishô (master) back when he studied rakugo is Shōfukutei Matsunosuke.
Together with Beat Takeshi and Tamori, Sanma is said to be one of the "Big Three" television comedians of Japan. He is known for his ability to endlessly carry a conversation. His protruding front teeth are often ridiculed, even by himself.
Akashiya married actress Shinobu Otake in September 1988. They met on the set of the drama series Danjo Shichinin Natsumonogatari. At the time, Otake had one son from her previous marriage with her husband who had died. The marriage lasted 4 years as they divorced in September 1992. The two remained friends after and are sometimes seen on variety television programs together. They have one daughter, Imalu Otake, born in 1989. Imalu went on to become a tarento in 2009 under the name IMALU.
2023
2022
2018
2016
2015
2015
2011
as Main Host
2011
2007
as Inoue Keisuke
2003
2003
as MC
2002
as Kanzo Dojima (堂島 完三)
1999
1998
1997
1997
1997
1995
1995
1994
1994
1990
1990
1989
1988
1987
1987
as 今井良介
1987
1987
1986
1985
1985
as Yataro
1983
1982
1980