Veteran Akira Takarada died this Monday (14) at the age of 87.
In the 1954 Japanese film, he was the young naval officer who discovered the terrifying creature.
Japanese actor Akira Takarada, star of the original Godzilla film and star of many Japanese science fiction films of the 1950s and 1960s, has died at the age of 87.
Toho Studios announced it on Twitter: “We are saddened by the news of Akira Takarada’s passing. May his memory continue to inspire the lives of many Godzilla fans.”
Born on April 29, 1934, in Japan-occupied Korea, Takarada, after spending his childhood in China, moved to Japan with his family in 1948. In 1953 he auditioned at Toho Studios looking for new faces for cinema and passed the hearing. He was chosen as the main protagonist of Ishiro Honda’s “Godzilla” (1954): he was the young naval officer Hideto Ogata who discovered the terrifying creature Godzilla, a monster 50 meters high.
Takarada became one of the most popular actors at Toho Studios. He went on to act in science fiction films such as “Godzilla Watang! In the Fabled Empire of Monsters” (1964), “Invasion of the Astromonsters” (1965), “The Return of Godzilla” (1966). And then again in 1992 in “Godzilla vs. Mothra” and in 2004 in “Godzilla: Final Wars”.
He also appeared in a cameo in the film “Godzilla” (2014) directed by Gareth Edwards, the first chapter of ‘Monster Verse’. Among the most recent appearances was also “Glory to the Filmmaker!” (2007) directed by Takeshi Kitano and out of competition at the 64th Venice Film Festival.
Known in the heyday of Japanese science fiction films, Takarada has become a favorite guest on the Godzilla fan circuit over the past two decades, appearing at conventions and interacting with fans.
In his last public appearance on March 10, for Miyake Nobuyuki’s film (“If Cherry Blossoms Disappeared from the World)”, in which he plays the role of adviser, Takarada spoke about the war in Ukraine, saying: “Looking at the situation I think we need to make more socially aware films. ” The film will be released in Japan on April 1.
Cause Of Death:
Akira Takarda’s cause of death; no cause of death has been officially updated. As soon as something is announced regarding his cause of death we will update you shortly.
Reportedly, Takarada was suffering from lower back pain. There are many specific reasons why one suffers from back pain. Takarda was in and out of the hospital for the past few years. On March 10, he was seen attending the screening for the movie Yononaka ni Taete Sakura no Nakariseba in a wheelchair.
Takarada closed his eyes forever on March 14, between midnight and the early morning of March.
Amelia Warner
Amelia Warner writes all the Latest Articles. She mostly covers Entertainment topics, but at times loves to write about movie reviews as well.
