PROFILE

Tetsuo Hatanaka was born in Tarzana, California, and raised in Laguna Beach.

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A troubled teen in high school, he unconsciously fell into the creative arts of music, dance, and theatre.

 

During a visit to Los Angeles, he met a photographer who wanted to use him as a model for an up-and-coming hat company. Little did he know she happened to be the photographer for Vogue & Elle magazine.  She advised him to pursue print modeling, which culminated in his debut commercial for Audi and landing several national and international commercials such as Adidas, Toyota, Meta, and more.

 

After his move to Los Angeles, a serendipitous encounter reunited him with a high-profile talent manager who encouraged him to explore the craft of acting. Trusting both his instincts and her guidance, this venture unveiled a newfound appreciation for the intricacies of language and the performing arts, igniting a profound passion for acting that he now wholeheartedly embraces.

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In his personal life, Tetsuo devotes his time to extreme sports such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, skydiving, and Kundalini Yoga.  He also volunteers for The World Wildlife Foundation & Operation Underground Railroad: End Child Trafficking.