Tao Okamoto

, also known professionally by the mononym Tao, is a Japanese actress and model. In 2009, she was one of the faces of Ralph Lauren.

She made her film debut as the female lead Mariko Yashida in the 2013 film The Wolverine; and played Mercy Graves in the 2016 film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. She has had recurring roles in the television series Hannibal, The Man in the High Castle, and Westworld. In 2026, she was awarded the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress for her performance in the drama All of a Sudden.

Early life Tao was born in Ichikawa, Chiba. She started modeling as a teenager in Japan, when she was 14 years old.

Career

Tao Okamoto, winner of the Best Performance by an Actress Award for “All Of A Sudden” speaks during the Palme d'Or winners press conference at the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 23, 2026 in Cannes, France.

Modeling In 2006, she made a decision to move to Paris and develop her career on an international level. Soon after that, Tao made her debut on the European runways, one of the few prominent East Asian models of that era.

In 2009, Tao moved to New York City.

Tao has worked in advertising and editorial projects. She has fronted campaigns such as Dolce & Gabbana with Mario Testino, Emporio Armani by Alasdair McLellan, Kenzo with Mario Sorrenti, and Tommy Hilfiger with Craig McDean. Editorially, she has shot for i-D Magazine, V Magazine, W Magazine, and various international editions of Harper's Bazaar and Vogue.

The November 2009 issue of Vogue Nippon (Japanese Vogue) is dedicated to Tao. She was the Japan Fashion Editor's Club "Model of the Year" and was one of Vogue Nippon 's "Women of the Year" in 2010. Alexander Wang, Burberry Prorsum, Bottega Veneta, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karan, Emanuel Ungaro, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Givenchy, Hermès, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Kenzo, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Maison Martin Margiela, Max Mara, Miu Miu, Moschino, Paul Smith, Phillip Lim, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Vivienne Westwood, Yves Saint Laurent and more.

Acting In 2013, Tao made her film debut as Mariko Yashida, opposite Hugh Jackman, in The Wolverine. In October 2014, it was announced that she had joined the cast of Hannibal as Chiyoh, Hannibal Lecter's family servant. In January 2015, it was announced that Tao would star in the film Crossroads with Alodia Gosiengfiao. In 2015, Tao appeared in The Man in the High Castle as Betty Kasoura, wife of lawyer Paul Kasoura and a customer at Robert Childan's American Artistic Handcrafts. In 2016, Tao played Mercy Graves in the film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Filmography

Film

Television

Accolades Award Year Category Nominated work Result Cannes Film Festival 2026 Best Actress All of a Sudden