Matthew Chozick

is an American TV personality, actor, writer, filmmaker, and scholar in Japan.

Career Since April 2012, Chozick has starred weekly with Takeshi Kitano on Nippon TV's , one of Japan's most popular comedy-variety shows. In addition to TV work, Chozick is known for acting in multiple films of Japan Academy Award-winning director , for co-hosting a popular show on NHK Radio, and for his writing in Japanese and English. He also teaches at Temple University Japan Campus and has lectured at other universities in the US, UK, and Japan.

Chozick's directorial debut, Toshie the Nihilist, garnered numerous awards after premiering at the Academy Award and BAFTA qualifying LA Shorts International Film Festival in 2021. That same year, Chozick also appeared in Sion Sono's Prisoners of the Ghostland, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival.

According to comments in several media interviews, Chozick is currently in post-production on a Japanese feature film he directed and wrote.

In 2026, Chozick's short film Civilization and Its Discontents was selected for exhibition at the National Art Center, Tokyo, as part of the 82nd Art Festival Genten, where it was recognized with a kaiyū honor.

Aside from creative work and teaching, Chozick publishes academic research in the fields of comparative literature, cultural studies, and translation theory. He has also edited, written, and translated several books. Chozick earned a PhD in the UK at the University of Birmingham and studied method acting in Los Angeles at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. He has also trained in New York at the Barrow Group.

Television Work Year Title Network Role Notes 2012–present Nippon Television Himself Weekly segment host 2014 NHK Himself Show won Galaxy Award (Japan) 2016–present TBS Television (Japan) Himself Commentator 2020 Fuji Television Evil Tech Guru 2021–present Smitten in JapanNHK Himself Host 2022–present Ethical Every DayNHK Himself Co-host

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes 2017 Ravi 2019 Jebiotto vs. Mechajebiotto God 2020 Midnight SwanAnnouncer (voice)Film won Japan Academy Film Prize for Picture of the Year 2021 Prisoners of the GhostlandSheriff Matthew Toshie the NihilistAnh DungAlso writer and director. For a list of honors, see Movie awards and nominations. 2022 Town Priest 2024 Light of Intricate Patterns Michael Brown 2025 Fiamma

Movie awards and nominations +Awards and nominations received by Matthew Chozick Award Year Work Category Result New York Shorts International Film Festival 2021 Toshie the Nihilist (wrote and directed)Best Comedy Award Sydney Underground Film Festival 2021 Toshie the Nihilist (wrote and directed)Audience Choice Award Burbank International Film Festival 2021 Toshie the Nihilist (wrote and directed)Best Foreign Short Shenzhen International Film Festival 2021 Toshie the Nihilist (wrote and directed)Best Visual Award Hong Kong International Short Film Festival 2021 Toshie the Nihilist (wrote and directed)Most Promising Director Mediterranean Film Festival Cannes 2021 Toshie the Nihilist (wrote and directed)Best Comedy Short Film Boston Underground Film Festival 2022 Toshie the Nihilist (wrote and directed)Best Short Film New York City International Film Festival 2022 Toshie the Nihilist (wrote and directed)Best International Short Film