Akira Takarada

was a Japanese actor best known for his roles in the Godzilla film series.

Early life Akira Takarada was born in Korea under Japanese rule, and lived for a time in Manchuria, China. His father worked as an engineer on the South Manchuria Railway. After the war, he remained in Harbin, and he was able to speak Mandarin Chinese and English.

Acting career Takarada moved to Allied-occupied Japan with his family in 1948. He joined Toho as part of their "New Face" program in April 1953.

Takarada made a guest appearance at the fan convention G-Fest XVII in 2010, and again at G-Fest XIX in July 2012, G-Fest XXIII in July 2016, and G-Fest XXVI in 2019. He received G-FEST's Mangled Skyscraper Award in 2010, and the G-FAN Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. He has come to be known as "The Godfather of G-FEST." 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.

Filmography

Selected works

Television

Television drama Shiratori Reiko de Gozaimasu! (1993) (Shōtarō Hakuchō) Tokugawa Yoshinobu (1998) (Takatsukasa Masamichi) Watashi no Aozora (2000) (Jōji Murai) Shōtoku Taishi (2001) (Mononobe no Moriya) Rokkā no Hanako-san (2002) (Kaichō Tatsumi) Clouds Over the Hill (2009) (Fujino Susumu) Carnation (2011) (Seizaburō Matsuzaka) Keisei Saimin no Otoko Part 3 (2015) (Ikeda Shigeaki)

Dubbing roles Live action The Ambushers (Matt Helm) Cats (Gus "Asparagus" the Theatre Cat (Ian McKellen)) Doctor Dolittle (Doctor Dolittle) Murderers' Row (Matt Helm)

Animation Aladdin (1992) (Jafar) The Return of Jafar Disney's House of Mouse (Ratigan, Jafar) Star Wars Rebels Season 3 (Bendu)

Video games Adventure of Tokyo Disney Sea ~Losing of Jewel's Secret (Jafar) Kingdom Hearts (2002) (Jafar) Kingdom Hearts II (2005) (Jafar)