#M ANNOTATED LLM RESPONSE
In Princess Mononoke (1997), the lead role of Ashitaka is voiced by two prominent actors depending on the version you watched. Because you mentioned feeling like you have "seen" the actor before, you are likely referring to Billy Crudup, the acclaimed Hollywood actor who voiced Ashitaka in the English dub.
However, for completeness, I have also included the original Japanese actor, Yōji Matsuda, who is a legend in the anime world.
1. Billy Crudup (English Voice of Ashitaka)
If you recognize the voice or the face, it is almost certainly Billy Crudup. He is a prolific live-action actor known for playing complex, intense characters. Here are his most famous roles:
- Almost Famous (2000) – Russell Hammond: This is perhaps his most iconic role. He played the lead guitarist of the fictional band Stillwater (the one who famously shouts "I am a golden god!" from a roof).
- Watchmen (2009) – Dr. Manhattan: He provided the performance and voice for the blue, god-like superhero Jon Osterman / Dr. Manhattan.
- The Morning Show (TV Series, 2019–Present) – Cory Ellison: You likely recognize him from this recent hit; he won an Emmy for his role as the eccentric and calculating network executive.
- Big Fish (2003) – Will Bloom: He played the protagonist, the son who tries to distinguish fact from fiction in his dying father's (Albert Finney) tall tales.
- Spotlight (2015) – Eric MacLeish: He played the lawyer who represented victims in the investigation into the Catholic Church.
- Mission: Impossible III (2006) – Musgrave: He played the IMF Assistant Director who works alongside Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt.
- Alien: Covenant (2017) – Christopher Oram: He played the ship's captain who is a man of faith and a central figure in the film's conflict.
- Public Enemies (2009) – J. Edgar Hoover: He portrayed the famous first director of the FBI opposite Johnny Depp.
- Justice League (2017) – Henry Allen: He played Barry Allen's (The Flash) father, seen in the prison visiting room.
2. Yōji Matsuda (Japanese Voice of Ashitaka)
If you are a fan of Japanese cinema or Studio Ghibli specifically, you may recognize Yōji Matsuda from these specific works:
- Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) – Asbel: He voiced the prince of Pejite who joins Nausicaä on her journey.
- The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006) – Sōjirō Takase: He voiced the character Sōjirō in this celebrated Mamoru Hosoda film.
- Titanic (Japanese Dub) – Jack Dawson: In Japan, he is famous for being the official voice of Leonardo DiCaprio in the theatrical dub of Titanic.
- Akira (1988) – Various: While not a lead, he contributed to the supporting voice cast of this landmark film.
- The Hidden Blade (2004): A live-action samurai film directed by Yoji Yamada.
Other Lead Actors You Might Recognize
Since you mentioned the "lead," you might also be thinking of the actress for San (Princess Mononoke):
- Claire Danes (English Voice): Extremely famous for Romeo + Juliet (1996), the TV series Homeland, and Terminator 3.
- Minnie Driver (Lady Eboshi): Known for Good Will Hunting and The Phantom of the Opera.
- Gillian Anderson (Moro the Wolf Goddess): Known as Agent Dana Scully in The X-Files and Margaret Thatcher in The Crown.
- Billy Bob Thornton (Jigo): Known for Sling Blade, Bad Santa, and Fargo (TV).
#F CORRECTION FEED (CLICK TO SEARCH)
[1] Billy Crudup and Yōji Matsuda are confirmed as the English and Japanese voice actors for Ashitaka respectively
[2] Billy Crudup did voice Ashitaka in the English dub released in 1999
[3] Yōji Matsuda voiced Ashitaka in the original Japanese version
[4] Billy Crudup is known for complex character roles across film and television
[5] Billy Crudup played Russell Hammond in Almost Famous (2000), one of his most iconic roles
[6] Billy Crudup portrayed Dr. Manhattan in Watchmen (2009)
[7] While accurate that he won an Emmy, the summary understates his achievement. Crudup won TWO Primetime Emmy Awards for The Morning Show - in 2020 and 2024 - for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
[8] Billy Crudup played Will Bloom in Big Fish (2003)
[9] While Crudup did appear in Spotlight (2015), the specific character name and role description require further verification as sources don't consistently detail his character
[10] Billy Crudup appeared in Mission: Impossible III (2006)
[11] Billy Crudup played Christopher Oram in Alien: Covenant (2017)
[12] Billy Crudup portrayed J. Edgar Hoover in Public Enemies (2009)
[13] Billy Crudup appeared (uncredited) as Henry Allen in Justice League (2017)
[14] Yōji Matsuda is a well-known Japanese voice actor with Studio Ghibli work
[15] Yōji Matsuda voiced Asbel in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
[16] Yōji Matsuda voiced Sōjirō Takase in The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)
[17] Yōji Matsuda voiced Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio's character) in the Japanese theatrical dub of Titanic
[18] No evidence found in IMDB's Akira cast list or in multiple Yōji Matsuda filmography sources that he appeared in Akira (1988). This claim appears to be inaccurate.
[19] Yōji Matsuda appeared in the live-action film The Hidden Blade (2004)
[20] San is indeed a lead character in Princess Mononoke
[21] Claire Danes voiced San in the English dub and is known for these roles
[22] Minnie Driver voiced Lady Eboshi in the English dub
[23] Gillian Anderson voiced Moro in the English dub
[24] Billy Bob Thornton voiced Jigo in the English dub
#C RELATED QUERIES
#01 What other films has Billy Crudup been in besides those listed?
#02 Did Yōji Matsuda actually appear in Akira (1988)?
#03 What character did Billy Crudup play in Spotlight (2015)?
#04 What are Billy Crudup's stage/theater credits?
#05 When was the English dub of Princess Mononoke released?
In *Princess Mononoke* (1997), the lead role of **Ashitaka** is voiced by two prominent actors depending on the version you watched. Because you mentioned feeling like you have "seen" the actor before, you are likely referring to **Billy Crudup**, the acclaimed Hollywood actor who voiced Ashitaka in the English dub.
However, for completeness, I have also included the original Japanese actor, **Yōji Matsuda**, who is a legend in the anime world.
### **1. Billy Crudup (English Voice of Ashitaka)**
If you recognize the voice or the face, it is almost certainly Billy Crudup. He is a prolific live-action actor known for playing complex, intense characters. Here are his most famous roles:
* **Almost Famous (2000) – *Russell Hammond*:** This is perhaps his most iconic role. He played the lead guitarist of the fictional band Stillwater (the one who famously shouts "I am a golden god!" from a roof).
* **Watchmen (2009) – *Dr. Manhattan*:** He provided the performance and voice for the blue, god-like superhero Jon Osterman / Dr. Manhattan.
* **The Morning Show (TV Series, 2019–Present) – *Cory Ellison*:** You likely recognize him from this recent hit; he won an Emmy for his role as the eccentric and calculating network executive.
* **Big Fish (2003) – *Will Bloom*:** He played the protagonist, the son who tries to distinguish fact from fiction in his dying father's (Albert Finney) tall tales.
* **Spotlight (2015) – *Eric MacLeish*:** He played the lawyer who represented victims in the investigation into the Catholic Church.
* **Mission: Impossible III (2006) – *Musgrave*:** He played the IMF Assistant Director who works alongside Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt.
* **Alien: Covenant (2017) – *Christopher Oram*:** He played the ship's captain who is a man of faith and a central figure in the film's conflict.
* **Public Enemies (2009) – *J. Edgar Hoover*:** He portrayed the famous first director of the FBI opposite Johnny Depp.
* **Justice League (2017) – *Henry Allen*:** He played Barry Allen's (The Flash) father, seen in the prison visiting room.
---
### **2. Yōji Matsuda (Japanese Voice of Ashitaka)**
If you are a fan of Japanese cinema or Studio Ghibli specifically, you may recognize Yōji Matsuda from these specific works:
* **Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) – *Asbel*:** He voiced the prince of Pejite who joins Nausicaä on her journey.
* **The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006) – *Sōjirō Takase*:** He voiced the character Sōjirō in this celebrated Mamoru Hosoda film.
* **Titanic (Japanese Dub) – *Jack Dawson*:** In Japan, he is famous for being the official voice of Leonardo DiCaprio in the theatrical dub of *Titanic*.
* **Akira (1988) – *Various*:** While not a lead, he contributed to the supporting voice cast of this landmark film.
* **The Hidden Blade (2004):** A live-action samurai film directed by Yoji Yamada.
---
### **Other Lead Actors You Might Recognize**
Since you mentioned the "lead," you might also be thinking of the actress for **San (Princess Mononoke)**:
* **Claire Danes (English Voice):** Extremely famous for *Romeo + Juliet* (1996), the TV series *Homeland*, and *Terminator 3*.
* **Minnie Driver (Lady Eboshi):** Known for *Good Will Hunting* and *The Phantom of the Opera*.
* **Gillian Anderson (Moro the Wolf Goddess):** Known as Agent Dana Scully in *The X-Files* and Margaret Thatcher in *The Crown*.
* **Billy Bob Thornton (Jigo):** Known for *Sling Blade*, *Bad Santa*, and *Fargo* (TV).