Legendary Japanese actor Akira Takarada, known for starring in the original 1954 Godzilla film, has died. He was 87. No cause of death or date has been given by Toho Studios, the studio production behind the iconic monster films franchise. Toho paid their tributes on their Twitter account and wrote, "We are saddened to hear of the passing of Akira Takarada. May his memory continue to inspire the lives of many Godzilla fans." Takarada played the role of a sailor named Hidet Ogata in Godzilla and even appeared at the end of the film to witness Godzilla's death due to the Oxygen Destroyer. 

Takarada also later made an appearance with Raymond Burr in Godzilla, King of the Monsters!, which was the American re-edited version of the film released in 1956. He was also a member of the cast in the 1964 Godzilla series film, Mothra vs. Godzilla, while also making a comeback to the franchise in 1992 for the updated Godzilla vs. Mothra. Takarada's final appearance in the series was in Godzilla: Final Wars in 2004, while also starring in other monster films like Invasion of the Astro-Monster in 1965, and Ebirah, Horror of the Deep in 1966, including landing roles in other kaiju ventures like Toho’s King Kong Escapes in 1967.

Outside of his work in films, Akira Takarada had a career in stage productions, while also doing voiceover work. Some of his most notable dubbing works include the 1967 Japanese version of Doctor Doolittle voicing Rex Harrison’s title character. The celebrated actor also voiced  Disney animated features like The Great Mouse Detective and Aladdin and, dubbed for characters like Ratigan and Jafar.