Ken Watanabe, one of the most famous Japanese actors actors in the world, announced this week that he is battling stomach cancer. He will be forced to delay his return to the Broadway stage in The King And I.
The Oscar-nominated actor’s press agent told The Associated Press on Feb. 9 that he has already had endoscopic surgery and is recuperating in Japan.
News of Watanabe’s illness was first reported by Kyodo News in Japan.
“I would like to ask for your understanding that the start of my performance in New York will be a little delayed,” Watanabe said in a statement.
Watanabe is one of the few Japanese actors working today to get parts in Hollywood blockbusters. He was in 2014’s Godzilla reboot and worked with director Christopher Nolan on both Batman Begins and Inception. He also earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for The Last Samurai with Tom Cruise.
Watanabe, 56, was set to return to Broadway on March 1 for a limited run as the King of Siam in The King And I. The actor earned a Tony nomination for his performance alongside Kelli O’Hara.