Eri Watanabe is a Japanese actress who was born on January 5, 1955, in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. While she is primarily known for her extensive work in live-action television and film, she has also contributed her voice to a small number of anime productions.

Watanabe's career in entertainment began in 1978, and she has since built a reputation as a versatile performer across different genres and media. Her early work included a role in the renowned television series Oshin in 1983. She has continued to appear regularly in television dramas, such as the popular NHK serial drama Amachan in 2013, and in numerous feature films.

In the realm of anime, Watanabe is recognized for two specific roles. In the 2017 Studio Ponoc film Mary and The Witch's Flower, she provided the voice for the character Miss Banks. She also voiced the character Mrs. Hosono in the 1987 animated film Twilight of the Cockroaches, which was produced by Madhouse. These two roles are the most prominently documented examples of her work as a voice actor in anime.

Beyond animation, Watanabe has also been active in dubbing foreign films into Japanese, lending her voice to the work of actresses such as Kim Basinger and Michelle Pfeiffer. For her performance in the internationally acclaimed live-action film Shall We Dance? (1996), she received the Best Supporting Actress award at the 21st Hochi Film Awards. Her career demonstrates a consistent presence in Japanese entertainment, transitioning between stage, television, and film with roles that range from comedy to drama.