Akihiko Hirata was a Japanese actor known for his work in films like Godzilla, King of the Monsters!, The Last Embrace, and many others. He became famous for his role as Dr. Daisuke Serizawa in the original Godzilla movie.
Personal and Family Life
Akihiko Hirata was born on December 16, 1927, in Keijo, South Korea. He married actress Yoshiko Kuga in 1961, and they remained together until his death in 1984. Hirata had a unique background, having attended a military academy before choosing to become an actor instead of following a more traditional career path. He received education at distinguished institutions, including Tokyo University.
Career Highlights
Hirata started his acting career with roles in films like Tetsuwan namida ari (1953) and attracted the attention of director Ishirô Honda. He is best remembered for his role as the troubled scientist Dr. Serizawa in Godzilla (1954), which solidified his place in Japanese cinema history. Throughout his career, he appeared in several genres, from monster films to samurai dramas, becoming a favorite among renowned directors such as Akira Kurosawa and Ishiro Honda.
Death and Legacy
Akihiko Hirata passed away on July 25, 1984, due to lung cancer. Before his untimely death, he was set to reprise his iconic role in Godzilla 1985 but could not participate. His legacy lives on through his memorable performances, especially his portrayal of Dr. Serizawa, which remains one of the most beloved characters in Japanese film history.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| ゴジラ | 1954-11-03 | Daisuke Serizawa |
| キングコング対ゴジラ | 1962-08-11 | Dr. Shigezawa |
| ゴジラ・エビラ・モスラ 南海の大決闘 | 1966-12-17 | Capt. Yamoto |
| 宮本武蔵 | 1954-09-25 | Seijuro Yoshioka |
| ゴジラvsデストロイア | 1995-12-09 | Dr. Daisuke Serizawa (archive footage) |
| 海底軍艦 | 1963-12-22 | Mu Agent #23 |
| 大空のサムライ | 1976-10-02 | |
| さよならジュピター | 1984-03-17 | Dr. Inoue Ryutarou |
| 戦国群盗傳 | 1959-08-09 | Jiro Hidekuni |
| ウルトラマン | 1966-07-17 | Dr. Iwamoto |