Sadao Abe, born April 23, 1970, in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture, is a versatile Japanese actor and singer whose career spans stage, television, and film. His birth name is Takashi Abe. He began his entertainment career after joining the theatre company Otona Keikaku (大人計画) around 1992, a pivotal move that shaped his artistic path. In addition to his acting work, he is also the lead singer of the comedy rock band Group Tamashii.

While Abe is primarily renowned for his extensive work in live-action dramas and films, his distinctive vocal talents have been utilized in several notable anime and character voice roles. One of his credited voice performances is as Gōyan in the 2011 animated film Friends: Mononoke Shima no Naki. He also provided the voice for a teddy bear in the 2013 film Gothic Lolita Battle Bear.

Abe's most prominent and widely recognized voice role came in the live-action film adaptations of the popular manga Parasyte. He voiced the character Migi, the parasitic creature that inhabits the protagonist's right hand, in both Parasyte: Part 1 (2014) and Parasyte: Part 2 (2015). His performance brought the unique character to life, showcasing his ability to contribute significantly to a major film project through voice work alone.

Throughout his career, Abe has frequently collaborated with a consistent group of writers and directors. He is a key member of the Otona Keikaku theatre company and often appears in works written by the acclaimed screenwriter Kankurō Kudō, such as the drama series Tiger & Dragon. He has also worked multiple times with director Nobuo Mizuta.

His achievements in acting have been recognized with numerous awards. He won the Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Actor for his lead role in the 2007 film Maiko Haaaan!!!. He also received the Blue Ribbon Award for Best Actor for his performance in the 2017 film Birds Without Names. His work continues to be celebrated, as evidenced by his win of the Japan Academy Award for Best Actor for the 2024 drama series Extremely Inappropriate!.