View source for Uchiyama Rina

[[File:Uchiyama Rina.jpg|thumb|Uchiyama Rina]]

==Profile==
*'''Name''' 内山理名
*'''Name (romaji):''' Uchiyama Rina
*'''Real Name (romaji):''' Tamai Anna (玉井杏奈)
*'''Birthdate:''' 1981-Nov-07
*'''Birthplace:''' Kanagawa prefecture
*'''Height:''' 157cm
*'''Weight:'''
*'''Star Sign:''' Scorpio
*'''Blood Type:''' O
*'''Talent Agency:''' [http://www.uchiyamarina.net Sweet Power]

==Biography==
Uchiyama Rina was first discovered in her hometown in Kanagawa prefecture by her current talent agency '''Sweet Power''' at the age of 15. Scouts for the agency had been going around Kanagawa looking for future potential talents when they heard of a "cute girl" working at a local bakery store to which young boys flocked for a glimpse of her. Promptly, the scouts arrived at Uchiyama Rina's house, asking for her snapshot. Rina had been napping at the time, and before she knew it, she had been signed by the agency and in 1998, moved to Tokyo to launch her geinoukai (Japanese entertainment) career.
First appearing in a number of commercials and short Japanese dramas, Rina got her first break in the popular drama series, ''[[Utsukushii hito|Le Bel Homme]]'', playing the role of famed Japanese actor, Tamura Masakazu's daughter. Since then, Rina has been cast in numerous Japanese dramas, often playing opposite members of Johnny's Entertainment, including [[Takizawa Hideaki]], [[Domoto Koichi]], [[Nagase Tomoya]], [[Domoto Tsuyoshi]], and [[Kimura Takuya]].

Rina recently appeared in the dramatized biography of 19th century Japanese novelist and writer ''[[Higuchi Ichiyo Monogatari]]''. Producers chose her for the role, for they believed that among all the young Japanese actresses, she looked best in the traditional kimono outfit. Her portrayal of the late female writer's tumultuous life, cut short at 24 years of age due to tuberculosis, may have won Rina her role in the third and last installment of Ooku. Ooku is the true story of 1800s imperial women and mistress' battle to win the emperor's love. Rina will once again dress in kimono robes in this popular drama series. Critics believe Rina is well suited for roles in jidaigeki (traditional Samurai-era dramas), and may bode well for her in possibly winning central roles in NHK's Taiga series; Rina has already taken part in [[Musashi]], playing the role of a woman driven by ill fortunes to prostitution and unrequited love for Takezo.

Rina has starred in several films, including ''Go-Con'' and ''Sotugyou''. In in 2005, Rina appeared in ''Shinku'', originally written by acclaimed author Nozawa Hisashi, tells of the suspense-filled story of two 19-year-old girls; one is the daughter of a family brutally murdered, and the other is the daughter of the murderer. Rina plays the victim's daughter, while the murderer's daughter is played up-and-coming young actress, [[Mizukawa Asami]]. In ''Nobuhiro-san'' (2005), Rina is cast as the heroine who is loved by a ghost.

From her early days as an idol (young TV stars who depend primarily on their cute looks), Rina has developed into a thoughtful and intriguing actress, whose career is still in the process of blossoming.

==TV Shows==
*[[Seitoku Shokun!]] (TV Asahi, 2007) as Hokujo Shoko
*[[Kiraware Matsuko no Issho]] (TBS, 2006) as Kawajiri Matsuko
*[[Yonimo Kimyona Monogatari 2006#Fall 2006|Yonimo Kimyona Monogatari]] ''Neko ga ongaeshi'' (Fuji TV)
*[[Bokutachi no Sensou]] (TBS, 2006)
*[[Message ~Densetsu no CM director Sugiyama Toshi]] (2006)
*[[Earthquake]] (NTV, 2006)
*[[Ooku~Hana no Ran~]] (Fuji TV, 2005) as Yasuko
*[[Rikon Bengoshi 2]] (Fuji TV, 2005, ep1)
*[[Fire Boys]] (Fuji TV, 2004) as Sonoda Mahiru
*[[Higuchi Ichiyo Monogatari]] (TBS, 2004) as Higuchi Ichiyo
*[[Musashi]] (NHK, 2003) as Akemi
*[[Moto Kare]] (TBS, 2003) as Hayakawa Nao
*[[Good Luck!!]] (TBS, 2003) as Fukaura Urara
*[[Wedding Planner]] (Fuji TV, 2002, ep4) as Fujinami Chizuru
*[[Yonimo Kimyona Monogatari 2002#Special Spring Edition (春の特別編)|Yonimo Kimyona Monogatari]] ''Mushi game'' (Fuji TV, 2002)
*[[Handoku]] (TBS, 2001) as Kojima Michiko
*[[Rookie (Fuji TV)|Rookie!]] (Fuji TV, 2001) as Sato Kaori
*[[Strawberry on the Shortcake]] (TBS, 2001) as Sawamura Haruka
*[[Hensyuo]]  (Fuji TV, 2000)
*[[Bus Stop]] (Fuji TV, 2000) as Miyamae Matsuri
*[[Utsukushii hito]] (TBS, 1999)
*[[LxIxVxE]] as Matsubara Chie (TBS, 1999)
*[[Suzuran]] (NHK, 1999)
*[[Nanisama]] (TBS, 1998) as Mizuki

==Movies==
*Nobuhiro-san (2005)
*Shinku (2005)
*Sotsugyou (2002)
*Satorare (2001)
*Go-Con! Japanese Love Culture (2000)

==Trivia==
*Has a younger sister (3 years her junior)
*Her father, with whom she was very close, passed away in 2004 while Rina was shooting for the drama, [[Fire Boys]].  Rina fainted a few times due to emotional stress during the shooting.

==External Links==
*[http://www.uchiyamarina.net/profile/ Official Website]
*[http://jdorama.com/artiste.881.htm JDorama.com]

[[Category:JActress]]