Akira Takarada |
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 Takarada in 1956 |
| Born | April 29, 1934[1]
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| Died | March 14, 2022 (aged 87)[2]
Japan |
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| Occupation | Actor, tarento |
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| Years active | 1954–2022 |
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| Spouse(s) | |
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| Children | Michiru Kojima |
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Akira Takarada (Japanese: 宝田 明, Hepburn: Takarada Akira, April 29, 1934 – March 14, 2022) was a Japanese film actor best known for his roles in the Godzilla film series.
Life and career[edit]
Takarada was born in Japan-occupied Korea, and lived for a time in Harbin, China.[1] His father worked as an engineer on the South Manchuria Railway. After the war, he remained in Harbin, China, and he was able to speak Mandarin Chinese and English.
Takarada moved to Allied-occupied Japan with his family in 1948. He joined Toho as part of their "New Face" program in April 1953.[1] In his film debut, he had a small role in And Then the Liberty Bell Rang, a biography of the educator Fukuzawa Yukichi.[1] His big break came when he was cast as navy diver Hideto Ogata in the original Godzilla (1954). He became a popular actor at Toho for his good looks and charismatic, sophisticated character. He continued his association with the Godzilla series in Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964), Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965), and Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster (1966). He returned to the series in 1992 with Godzilla vs. Mothra and appeared again in Godzilla: Final Wars (2004). Other Toho science-fiction/special-effects films in which he appeared include Half Human (1955), The Last War (1961), King Kong Escapes (1967), and Latitude Zero (1969).
Toho prepared a musical production of Gone with the Wind with Broadway composer-lyricist Harold Rome for its new Teigeki theatre in 1970. Entitled Scarlett, Takarada was originally scheduled to play the role of Rhett Butler. However, injuries sustained in an accident in which he fell off a bulldozer while filming prevented him from participating in this stage production.[3]
Takarada made a guest appearance at the fan convention G-Fest XVII in 2010, and once more at G-Fest XIX in July 2012.[citation needed] On March 27, 2013, Takarada posed for publicity photographs with director Gareth Edwards on the set of the Legendary/Warner Bros Godzilla reboot, suggesting a cameo of sorts in the new movie. His scenes were filmed, but ultimately cut from the movie. He is still listed in the movie credits.
According to the Takarada estate, he passed away at the age of 87 in Japan on March 14th 2022.[4]
Selected filmography[edit]
Television[edit]
Television drama[edit]
Dubbing roles[edit]
Live action[edit]
Animation[edit]
Video games[edit]
Stage productions[edit]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akira_Takarada
寶田明是《哥吉拉》系列作第一代男主角。（翻攝自推特）
寶田明14日逝世，享壽87歲。（翻攝自推特）