Hirata Akihiko

Overview

平田昭彦

16 Dec 1927

Onoda Akihiko

小野田昭彦

Gyeongseong, Korea

25 Jul 1984 (56)

Lymphangiectasia

Kuga Yoshiko

He had completed law school and was employed full time before he embraced acting.

Joined Toho as part of the 5th "New Face" class. He met fellow actor Sahara Kenji at this time and they remained close friends until Hirata's death.

Well known for playing the villainous Mr. K on TV's Rainbowman.

Made a cameo appearance in the Star Wolf TV series, later adapted into the Fugitive Alien films and featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000.

Known for the trademark eyepatch he wore when he played Dr. Serizawa in the original Godzilla (1954). He wore the patch again in Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (1966) and once more during the official press conference announcing production of The Return of Godzilla (1984). Hirata was originally meant to star in that film but failing health forced him to drop out, and he was replaced by Natsuki Yôsuke.

Selected Works