Answer
The Japanese singer and actor, Ninomiya Kazunari, started his acting career in a film-based stage play titled Stand by Me. This play was based on the 1986 film of the same name, which was directed by Rob Reiner and starred Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O'Connell. The play was staged in 1997 and starred Ninomiya as Gordie Lachance, the lead character in the film.