Masatoshi Hamada (born May 11, 1963, in Naniwa-ku, Osaka) is a Japanese comedian, actor and director. He is widely recognized as one half of the influential comedy duo Downtown, alongside Hitoshi Matsumoto. Over several decades Hamada has been a prominent presence on Japanese variety television, in film and in dubbing foreign animated features for Japanese audiences.

Hamada's partnership with Matsumoto helped to reshape modern Japanese comedy on television. The duo became known for a mix of scripted sketches, improvisation and provocative variety segments. Two of their best-known programs are Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!! and Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ, the former notable for its annual "No-Laughing" batsu (punishment) games that attract national attention.

As a performer Hamada is often described as the tsukkomi (straight man) in the duo: quick to issue sharp retorts, physically expressive and sometimes brusque in public persona. His confrontational delivery contrasts with Matsumoto's more eccentric, surreal style, and together their interplay forms the core of Downtown's comedic identity.

Outside live comedy, Hamada has worked as an actor, director and voice artist. He provided the Japanese dub voice for the character Shrek in the Shrek films, voiced Slowking in Pokémon: The Movie 2000 and portrayed Buck the Diesel in the Japanese edition of Thomas and Friends. His screen work ranges from television hosting to occasional film roles and behind-the-camera credits.

Hamada's long-running career has made him a familiar figure in Japanese popular culture. His work helped popularize a more irreverent, boundary-pushing variety format in Japan and influenced younger generations of comedians and television creators.

Personal details: Hamada was born in Osaka and is married to Natsumi Ogawa; the couple have two children. While best known for his public persona with Downtown, he is also active in select film and voice projects and continues to appear on television.

Selected programs and roles

  • Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!! (variety show; known for batsu games)
  • Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ (music and comedy variety program)
  • Japanese dub voice: Shrek (Shrek film series)
  • Japanese dub voice: Slowking (Pokémon: The Movie 2000)
  • Japanese dub voice: Buck the Diesel (Thomas and Friends)