Masakatsu Funaki is a Japanese actor and voice actor born on March 13, 1969, in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. His career is notable for its intersection with his background as a pioneering mixed martial artist and professional wrestler, a fact that has influenced the types of roles he has portrayed.

Funaki's entry into the entertainment industry began in 1990 with a role in the film Tekken. His distinctive physique and authentic fighting background led to numerous appearances in action films and television dramas throughout the 1990s and 2000s, often portraying tough characters or martial artists. Directors such as Shinya Tsukamoto and Ryuhei Kitamura have utilized his skills in their films.

Within the realm of voice acting, Funaki has lent his voice to a select number of anime and animated projects. One of his earliest and most recognized voice roles was Fei-Long in the Fighter II: The Animated Movie. He also provided the voice for the character Tyron in the 1996 original video animation The Hard - Bounty Hunter. Another significant voice role was Seiko Oton Miyazawa in the 2002 OVA series Shootfighter Tekken, an adaptation of the manga Koukou Tekken-den Tough. Later, he voiced the character Hades in the 2009 animated film Baton. In addition to these, he served as the narrator for the 2001 film Electric Dragon 80,000V and appeared as the demon Jinmen in the 2004 live-action film adaptation of Devilman.

Funaki's professional life has been dominated by his career as a fighter. He is widely known as the King of Pancrase, a nod to his status as a founder and top competitor in the Pancrase hybrid wrestling and mixed martial arts organization. His filmography shows recurring collaborations with a specific circle of Japanese actors, including multiple projects with Kunimura Jun,杉本彩 (Aya Sugimoto), and 永濑正敏 (Masatoshi Nagase). His achievements are primarily rooted in his pioneering role in mixed martial arts, with his on-screen work serving as a natural extension of his athletic persona.