AKIRA TAKARADA, R.I.P.
I was devastated to learn today that one of my heroes and role models, Japanese film star Akira Takarada, passed away earlier this week.
Akira Takarada greeting the members of G-Tour 3 (2015) in front of Toho Studios, where he arranged a special event for the tour. He was impeccable in his suit, even though the temperature and humidity were in the upper 90s that day.
I had the great honor to meet Takarada-san on several occasions during two G-Tours (2015 and 2016), and at G-Fest XXVl in 2019. He was ever the gentleman and the epitome of a class act.
Takarada-san started his film career in 1954 with another rookie actor, Godzilla, and the two went on to co-star several more times: Mothra vs. Godzilla aka Godzilla vs. The Thing, Invasion of Astro-Monster aka Monster Zero, Ebirah Horror of the Deep aka Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster, Godzilla vs. Mothra, and Godzilla: Final Wars. Takarada-san also had a cameo role in Legendary’s 2014 Godzilla, but his scene was edited out of the final film.
Takarada-san also had roles in other Toho science fiction films, usually with director Ishiro Honda: Monster Snowman aka Half Human, King Kong Escapes, Latitude Zero, The Last War. Of course, he was not limited to genre films, but his filmography is too extensive to list here. During his long career he was highly respected and loved by the Japanese film industry.
It comes as a surprise to most Japanese actors when they find they have fans outside Japan. Takarada-san was no exception, but he embraced the fandom, usually in partnership with G-Fan editor/published J.D. Lees and other uber fans. He became very involved with his Western fanbase, and helped introduce them to other Japanese genre icons.
Takarada-san made a few trips to the US to attend G-Fest, the annual convention for Godzilla and kaiju fans. It was during those appearances that it became very apparent that Takarada-san fully reciprocated the love that the fans had for him.
When fans made their way to Japan for G-Tours, Takarada-san went out of his way to make the experiences very memorable. Not only did he arrange special events and tours of Toho Studios (infamous for not allowing any outsiders onto the lot, except when Takarada-san requests it), but he would attend dinners with the tour group on a riverboat restaurant. And he usually brought a few special guests along with him just to make the occasion even more special!
I could fill this post with a list of Takarada-san’s film accomplishments, and stills from every production; there is no lack of either. However, I would rather share some of my personal photos, because I feel they show the man behind the movie star.
Akira Takarada at G-Fest XXVl (2019) which, sadly, would be his last time attending the convention.
As I went through the photos, I was reminded of a speech that Takarada-san gave at G-Fest XXVl in 2019. He had just been awarded a lifetime achievement award, and he spoke at length of the joy it gave him, and how much it meant to him to have so many fans in North America.
Towards the end of Takarada-san’s acceptance speech he began to weep, and the speech took on the tone of a farewell address. Takarada-san had been experiencing health issues (he had been scheduled to attend the previous convention but was unable due to illness), and the long trans-Pacific flights were becoming more difficult.
By the end of the speech I don’t think there was a dry eye in the large auditorium, which was filled to capacity (and then some). Most of us felt that Takarada-san was saying goodbye to us for the last time. The long standing ovation he received immediately afterward was our way of saying goodbye as well, even though none of us really wanted to, and hoped that would not be the last time we saw our friend.
Akira Takarada: gentleman, class act, and one of the most gracious people I have ever met. Rest easy, friend. And thank you for everything.