Kenji Sahara (佐原 健二 Sahara Kenji, born Tadashi Ishihara) (born 14 May 1932) is a Japanese actor. He was born in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa. His given name is Masayoshi Kato (加藤 正好 Katō Masayoshi). Initially he used the name Tadashi Ishihara before changing it when he secured the lead role in Rodan (1956).

Selected filmography[edit]

Sahara did a lot of work for the Toho Company, the studio that has so far has produced twenty-eight Godzilla movies. He appeared in more of the Godzilla series than any other actor.

Also, he is the actor who was often relied on in most of the films by Directors Ishiro Honda and Eiji Tsuburaya.

Since Director Tsuburaya was not able to fail in the first time of the Tsuburaya pro's beginning by any means, he left all the works to Sahara. This was winning a great success and the Tsuburaya pro was able to make the Ultraman series which continues till the present.

He has appeared in many supporting roles.

Sahara is famous as a mainstay of Toho special-effects movies and the Ultraman series.