Chika Kanamoto

Chika Kanamoto is an actress from Osaka, Japan. She began her career as a dancer and worked in major productions. Her exceptional dance talent caught the attention of major producers, who subsequently invited her to appear in their films, leading to the development of her acting career. Chika was cast as the Japanese flight attendant in the Disney motion picture *Old Dogs*. She was directly booked by the casting director, who had previously seen her perform. For the role, Chika performed in both Japanese and English and acted alongside John Travolta and Robin Williams. In *The Art of Suicide*, a dark tale about a suicidal man who meets the devil incarnate, Paula, Chika portrayed the role of Paula. The film won the "Award of Merit" and the "Paris Cinema Festival." With more than 40 years in the industry as a successful director, actor, and writer, Austin Pendleton—Tony Award nominated for best direction of a play for *The Little Foxes* starring Elizabeth Taylor—selected Chika to act as his scholarship student at his acting studio in New York. Pendleton has observed Chika's development and commented: "Someone who can sing, dance, and act provides the versatility producers die for, and Chika is one such performer. Ms. Kanamoto's combined triple threat talents with her Japanese background produce an exceptionally unique and desired performer."