Born in Vancouver and raised in Toronto, Ryan-James (RJ) Hatanaka currently splits his time between Canada, the United States and Europe. Recent film and television credits include “Nurses” (Global TV, eOne), Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People (Oren Rudavsky/American Masters Pictures), Simple Wedding (Mainstay Ent.) and “Chicago PD” (NBC). On stage, he recently starred as Romeo in Romeo & Juliet (The Guthrie Theatre), and in several off-Broadway productions including Big Love and The Sandbox (The Signature Theatre).
Since 2016, Hatanaka has represented HBO Nordic as their spokesperson, recently expanding into HBO Europe. This international branding campaign features Hatanaka in multiple “mini-films.”
A black belt in karate, Hatanaka also teaches stage combat at New York University’s Tisch Graduate Acting program. Most recently, he directed the fights for the New York premiere of Carla Ching's play Nomad Motel at the Atlantic Theater.
Hatanaka has a BA from the University of Toronto, has trained at the National Theatre School of Canada and holds an MFA from New York University’s Tisch Graduate Acting Program.
