His older brother was director and actor Ryusaku Shinsui.
Shinsui once belonged to Tokyo Kid Brothers.
After he left that, he launched the theatrical troupe Mr.
On 1978, he debuted in Nikkatsu's Roman Porno film, Jokōsei Tenshi no Harawata, which was scripted his brother.
He regularly acted in films by Shohei Imamura such as The Ballad of Narayama, Black Rain, and The Eel.