Who is Noriko Watanabe? Meet Sam Neill’s Ex-Wife, Wiki, Age, Net Worth, Daughter & More

Noriko Watanabe is a Japanese make-up artist who has worked on more than 60 projects in Hollywood, and is an award-winning hair and makeup artist. She is notably known for her work in the movie ‘The Everlasting Secret Family’ and has also worked on movies such as ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ and ‘Hacksaw Ridge’.
Watanabe was married to the famous New Zealand actor, writer, producer, director, and vineyard proprietor, Sam Neill. The couple got married in 1989 but later divorced in 2017. Noriko and Sam have two children together named Elena Neill and Maiko Spencer.
Noriko is a successful make-up artist in Hollywood and has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry. She has also won awards for her work and is highly respected in the industry. Her friend and movie director, Jane Campion, was awarded the prestigious Silver Lion for Best Direction for her movie, ‘The Power of The Dog,’ in which Noriko had worked in the makeup department.

Early Life, Biography, and Background
Noriko Watanabe was born on July 22, 1965 (Age: 58 years, as of 2023), in Tokyo, Japan. Not much is known about her family background or early life, but she eventually moved to Australia, where she spent most of her life.
She was born in Tokyo, Japan, and moved to the United States after completing her education to pursue a career as a make-up artist in Hollywood. She has worked on several Hollywood productions, including Memoirs of a Geisha (2005), Silence (2016), and Hacksaw Ridge (2016).
Parents, Siblings – Family
- Father– Not Known
- Mother– Not Known
- Sister– Not Known
- Husband– Sam Neill (m. 1989 – div. 2017)
- Daughter(s)– Elena Neill & Maiko Spencer
Personal Life – Husband, Boyfriend & Children
Noriko Watanabe is a makeup artist who was married to the famous New Zealand actor, writer, producer, director, and vineyard proprietor, Sam Neill. They met while working together on the movie “Dead Calm” in 1989 and got married on September 2, 1989, in a close-knit ceremony. This was the second marriage for both Noriko and Sam, and they were together for almost thirty years before they separated in 2017.
Noriko and Sam were blessed with a daughter named Elena Neill on January 10, 1991, in Australia. Elena followed her father’s footsteps and tried her luck in acting. She first appeared in the comedy-movie “The Brush Off” released in 2004 and then portrayed the role of a tattoo artist for the movie “Top of the Lake” in 2017.

Before getting married to Noriko, Sam was married to Lisa Harrow, who is also a New Zealand actress known for her roles. He has a son Tim from his first marriage with Lisa. Tim is Elena’s half-brother.
Sam Neill and Noriko Watanabe divorced in 2017 after being married for more than 25 years. Noriko has contributed to various Hollywood movies as a makeup artist. Sam Neill is currently dating journalist Laura Tingle.
Noriko Watanabe Wiki
BIO/WIKI | Information |
---|---|
Full Name | Noriko Watanabe |
Birthdate | July 22, 1965 |
Age (As of 2023) | 58 years |
Birthplace | Tokyo, Japan |
Education | Graduate |
Nationality | Japanese-American |
Religion | Christian |
Ethnicity | Asian |
Parents | Not available |
Siblings | Not available |
Height | 5 feet 0¼ inches (1.53 m) |
Weight | 50 kg (110 lbs) |
Husband | Sam Neill (married in 1989, divorced in 2017) |
Children | Elena Neill (daughter of Sam Neill), Maiko Spencer (daughter from a previous marriage) |
Net Worth (approx.) | $400K – $500K US Dollars (as of 2023) |
Sam Neill’s Blood Cancer
Sam Neill, the New Zealand actor known for his roles in the Jurassic Park movie franchise and other films, has recently revealed that he was diagnosed with stage-three blood cancer in March 2022. Specifically, he was diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, which is a subtype of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Neill, who is 75 years old, disclosed the diagnosis in his memoir, which he has been writing during his treatment. He wrote that he initially thought he was “possibly dying” from the illness. According to Neill, he experienced swollen glands while promoting “Jurassic World Dominion” last year, and was soon diagnosed with blood cancer. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy and expects to take a new drug every month for the rest of his life. He has also revealed that he has been cancer-free since the end of last year.
Neill’s revelation has garnered attention from various news outlets, including The Guardian, USA Today, and People magazine.
Despite his diagnosis, Neill has continued to work on film projects. He recently completed filming for the movie “The Power of the Dog” and has several other projects in the works.
Career – Make-up Artist, Movies & Profession
Noriko Watanabe is a Japanese make-up and hair artist who has worked in the Hollywood film industry for many years. She has collaborated with many A-list actors, including Nicole Kidman, Kate Winslet, and Andrew Garfield. She won the Hollywood Film Hair and Makeup of the Year Award for her work on the movie “Hacksaw Ridge” in 2016.
Watanabe was born in Tokyo, Japan, and started her career as a makeup artist in Japan before moving to the United States to pursue further opportunities. She has worked on many Hollywood movies such as “Memoirs of a Geisha” and “Silence”. Noriko is known for her skills in hair and makeup, and she has earned a reputation for being one of the most talented artists in the industry.
One of Noriko Watanabe’s notable works was on the set of the movie “Hacksaw Ridge,” directed by Mel Gibson. Her work on this movie earned her the Hollywood Film Hair and Makeup of the Year Award in 2016. Noriko was responsible for creating the looks of the actors and actresses in the movie, including Andrew Garfield, who played the main character.
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Noriko was also married to the famous New Zealand actor, Sam Neill, for 26 years before they got divorced in 2015. Sam Neill is known for his roles in blockbuster movies such as “Jurassic Park” and “Thor: Ragnarok.” Noriko and Sam met each other for the first time during the shooting of the movie “Dead Calm” in 1988, and they fell in love.
Noriko has worked with many well-known actors and actresses throughout her career. Some of her clients include Nicole Kidman, Kate Winslet, and Andrew Garfield. She has also worked on movies such as “Memoirs of a Geisha,” “Silence,” and “Hacksaw Ridge”. Noriko is known for her exceptional skills in hair and makeup, and she has earned the respect and admiration of many of her peers in the industry.
Watanabe is a talented makeup and hair artist who has worked in the Hollywood film industry for many years. She has collaborated with many A-list actors and actresses, including Nicole Kidman, Kate Winslet, and Andrew Garfield. Noriko won the Hollywood Film Hair and Makeup of the Year Award for her work on the movie “Hacksaw Ridge” in 2016. Although Watanabe is no longer married to Sam Neill, she continues to be recognized for her exceptional work in the industry.
Net Worth
Noriko Watanabe’s net worth is around $400K – $500K US Dollars (as of 2023), but her ex-husband Sam Neill’s net worth is estimated to be $18 million. It is not clear how much of Sam’s wealth was divided between the couple after their divorce.
Watanabe’s net worth is a topic of much interest to her fans and followers. The news sources on the internet provide varying estimates for her net worth, and it is difficult to confirm an exact number.

Noriko’s primary source of income is her career as a make-up artist. She has worked on numerous films and TV shows, including as a personal make-up artist for Sam Neill and Nicole Kidman. Her work has been recognized with awards and nominations, including an award for Best Hair and Makeup at the Madrid International Film Festival in 2017.
It is not known if Noriko owns any houses or cars. There is no information available on her assets, including her investments or any other properties she may own.
Height, Weight & Body Statistics
According to a few sources, Noriko Watanabe’s height is 5 feet 0¼ inches (1.53 m) and her weight is 50 kg (110 lbs). However, this information may not be up to date or accurate, as it is not mentioned where the data was obtained.
In addition, some sources provide other body measurements for Noriko, such as her body measurements being 42-32-18 inches. However, the reliability of this information cannot be verified, and it may not be recent.
It is important to note that body statistics such as height and weight may change over time, so any information regarding Watanabe’s body statistics should be taken with caution. Furthermore, it is important to respect an individual’s privacy and not focus solely on their physical attributes.
In conclusion, while there are some sources that provide information about Noriko’s physical stats, it is difficult to determine the accuracy and reliability of such information. As a result, it may be best to focus on Noriko’s professional achievements rather than her physical attributes.

Facts About Noriko Watanabe
- Noriko Watanabe began her career in Hollywood as a make-up artist after struggling for a while.
- She has worked on more than 60 projects to date and is an award-winning hair and makeup artist.
- Noriko’s notable works include her first project in the film “The Everlasting Secret Family”.
- She has worked with notable directors such as Steve McQueen, James Wan, and Oliver Hirschbiegel.
- Watanabe is known for her personal hair, wig, and makeup work for famous actors like Liam Neeson and Nicole Kidman.
- She was married to the famous New Zealand actor, Sam Neill, who she met on the set of the film “Dead Calm”.
- Noriko’s friend and movie director, Jane Campion, was awarded the prestigious Silver Lion for Best Direction for her movie, “The Power of The Dog,” and Noriko worked in the makeup department of the movie.
- She has a daughter, Elena Neill, who is an Australian actress.
- Noriko’s net worth is $400K – $500K, but her ex-husband, Sam Neill, is estimated to be worth $18 million.
Profiles – Instagram / Twitter / Wikipedia
Facebook– Not Known
Wikipedia – Not Known
Homepage– Newsunzip.com
Final Words
In conclusion, Watanabe is a Japanese make-up artist who has worked on several Hollywood movies and is an award-winning hair and makeup artist. She was previously married to Sam Neill, with whom she has two children, Elena Neill, and Maiko Spencer. Noriko Watanabe continues to be a highly respected and successful make-up artist in Hollywood.