Yūko Takeuchi (竹内 結子, Takeuchi Yūko?, born April 1, 1980 in Saitama, Saitama, Japan) is a Japanese actress. She made her big break with NHK's television series Asuka and JT Green's commercial. She has gone on to star in many TV shows, movies, and commercials.
On May 10, 2005, Takeuchi married Shidō Nakamura, a Kabuki actor. They met during the filming of the movie Be with You. They divorced on February 29, 2008.
She is popular for her cute looks and cheerful image. She is said to be like Meg Ryan by a Japanese magazine, and said to be like Audrey Hepburn by director Kichitaro Negishi.
Yuko has been in such Japanese television dramas as Mukodono (My Husband), Lunch No Joou (The Queen of Lunch), Egao No Hōsoku, and Pride. In Mukodono she comically plays a newly-wed with popular band TOKIO's lead singer, Nagase Tomoya, and in Lunch no Jouou she plays an active girl with a mysterious past. Egao No Hōsoku shows her experience meeting new people while supporting a manga writer, and in Pride she is a symbol of the good old days to the main character, played by Takuya Kimura. All of these shows portray her as playful and witty, and her smile never fails to melt the hearts of other characters.
Movies she has starred in include Hoshi Ni Negaiwo, Yomigaeri and Be with You (Ima, Ai ni Yukimasu). All of these have thought-provoking plots and she acts well, pulling the audience into the story. Her excellent performance in Yomigaeri was recognized by the 27th Japanese Academy Awards. She has also won other various awards for her television and movie appearances. Especially in Sidecar ni inu, she plays mysterious woman and has won many awards.
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