Akira Terao (Yokohama, 1947) is a Japanese actor known for his significant collaboration with director Akira Kurosawa. He has starred in memorable roles in masterpieces such as *Kagemusha - The Shadow Warrior* (1980), *Ran* (1985), and *Dreams* (1990), where he portrayed characters of great depth, leveraging his stage presence and expressive face.

Beyond Kurosawa, Terao has demonstrated his versatility in various productions, notably the role of the blind protagonist in Takeshi Kitano's multi-award-winning *Zatoichi* (2003), an iconic performance. His acting style is distinguished by a calm dignity, often imbuing his characters with a subtle melancholy or a quiet wisdom. He is appreciated for his ability to convey complex emotions through restrained expressions and measured acting, making him one of the most recognizable and respected faces of Japanese cinema.