Akira Takarada
Akira Takarada | |
|---|---|
 Akira Takarada - detail from movie poster of Japanese movie Godzilla (1954) | |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, tarento |
| Years active | 1954-present |
Akira Takarada (宝田 明, Takarada Akira, April 29, 1934 -) is a Japanese film actor who is most known in the west for his roles in the Godzilla film series.
Overview
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 inHarbin, and he is able to speakMandarin Chinese and English.
Takarada came to Japan with his family in 1948. He joined Toho as part of their "New Face" program in April 1953.[1] His film debut was with a small role in And Then the Liberty Bell Rang, a biography of the educator Fukuzawa Yukichi.[1] His big break 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 (1958), The Last War (1961), Frankenstein Conquers the World (1965), 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 theater 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.[2]
Today he is still well-known in Japan through his appearances in TV dramas, quiz shows and commercials.[1]
Roles
Film
| Year | Title[3] | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Godzilla | Hideto Ogata |
| 1955 | Half Human | Takeshi Iijima |
| 1956 | Romantic Daughters (ロマンス娘 Romansu musume) | |
| 1957 | Ōatari Sanshoku Musume | |
| Aoi Sanmyaku | Tamao Memata | |
| A Rainbow Plays in My Heart (わが胸に虹は消えず, Waga mune ni niji wa kiezu) | ||
| 1959 | The Birth of Japan | Prince Wakatarashi |
| 1960 | Hawaii Midway Daikai Kūsan: Taiheiyō Noarashi | Communications officer |
| 1961 | The Last War | Takano |
| Kohayagawa-ke no aki | Tadashi Teramoto | |
| 1962 | Hōrōki | Kō Fukuchi |
| 1964 | Mothra vs. Godzilla | News Reporter Ichirō Sakai |
| 1965 | Invasion of Astro-Monster | Astronaut K. Fuji |
| 1966 | Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster | Yoshimura |
| 1967 | King Kong Escapes | Lieutenant Commander Jirō Nomura |
| 1968 | Fancy Paradise | Kō Maeno |
| 1969 | Latitude Zero | Doctor Ken Tashirō |
| 1986 | The Great Mouse Detective | Ratigan (voice) |
| 1990 | Tales of a Golden Geisha | Inukai |
| 1992 | Minbo | General Manager Kobayashi |
| Godzilla vs. Mothra | Jōji Minamino | |
| Aladdin | Jafar (voice) | |
| 1994 | The Return of Jafar | Jafar (voice) |
| 1997 | Marutai no Onna | Police commissioner |
| 2004 | Godzilla: Final Wars | Natarō Daigo |
| 2005 | Fantastipo | Kintarō Koinobori |
Television
Television drama
- Rokkā no Hanako-san (Kaichō Tatsumi)
- Shiratori Reiko de Gozaimasu! (Shōtarō Hakuchō)
- Taishi Shōtoku (Mononobe no Moriya)
- Watashi no Aozora (Jōji Murai)
- Yoshinobu Tokugawa (Masamichi Takatsukasa)
Dubbing roles
- The Ambushers (Matt Helm)
- Murderers' Row (Matt Helm)
Animation
- Disney's House of Mouse (Jafar)
- Disney's The Great Mouse Detective (Rattigan)
Video games
- Kingdom Hearts (Jafar)
- Kingdom Hearts II (Jafar)
Stage productions
Other
- Tokyo Disneyland attraction: Country Bear Jamboree (Henry)
References
- ^ a b c d e f Ryfle, Steve (1998). "Akira Takarada: Mr. Handsome". Japan's favorite mon-star: the unauthorized biography of "The Big G". Miami: ECW Press. pp. 94–95. ISBN 1-55022-348-8.
- ^ Rome, Florence (1971). The Scarlett Letters. New York: Random House. ISBN 0-394-46171-1., p.154.
- ^ Filmography: "AKIRA TAKARADA". Complete Index to World Film. Retrieved 2010-01-29., Akira Takarada at IMDb, "宝田明 たからだ・あきら" (in Japanese). www.allcinema.net. Retrieved 2010-01-29.
{{cite web}}: External link in|publisher=
Bibliography
- "AKIRA TAKARADA". Complete Index to World Film. Retrieved 2010-01-29.
- Akira Takarada at IMDb
- Ryfle, Steve (1998). "Akira Takarada: Mr. Handsome". Japan's favorite mon-star: the unauthorized biography of "The Big G". Miami: ECW Press. pp. 94–95. ISBN 1-55022-348-8.
- "宝田明 たからだ・あきら" (in Japanese). www.allcinema.net. Retrieved 2010-01-29.
{{cite web}}: External link in|publisher= - "宝田明" (in Japanese). Japanese Movie Database. Retrieved 2010-01-29.
- "宝田明( 出演 )" (in Japanese). Kinema Junpo. Retrieved 2010-01-29.