Takashi Shimura
	Date of Birth: 3/12/1905 - Ikuno, Hyogo, Japan Date of Death: 2/11/1982 - Tokyo, Japan
	Filmography Gojira (1954) - Dr. Yamane Godzilla Raids Again (1955) - Dr. Yamane The Mysterians (1957) - Dr. Tanjiro Adachi Gorath (1962) - Kesuke Sonoda 47 Ronin (1962) - Hyobu Chishaka Ghidorah: The Three-Headed Monster (1964) - Dr. Tsukamoto Frankenstein Conquers the World (1965) - Axis Scientist PLUS MANY, MANY MORE
Mini Biography
Born in Kyoto on March 12, 1905 under the name Shoji Shimazaki. One of the most respected and versatile actors in the history of Japanese films who did not begin acting until age 30, Shimura was one of Akira Kurosawa’s favorite performers, appearing in 10 of the famed director’s films. Kurosawa first met Shimura in the early 40’s and gave him his big break as an actor, casting him in Sugata Sanshiro (43). Probably his most memorable performances came in the two Kurosawa classics Ikiru (52) and Seven Samurai (54) . In Ikiru (translated To Live), his moving portrayal of a bureaucrat with terminal cancer, who after examining his life becomes determined to do one meaningful thing before his death, earned him international acclaim, with no less than the New York Times calling him ‘the best actor in the world’ in their review. He lent an air of dignity and believability to his role as Dr. Yamane in Godzilla (54), a role he would reprise the following year in the second Godzilla film. This character was typical of his roles in Japanese science fiction film—that of the calm and respected scientist. His other special effects film credits included The Mysterians (57), Mothra (61), Gorath (62), and Frankenstein Conquers the World (64). Though he gained the greatest notoriety for his motion picture acting, Shimura also appeared in a host of tv series as well. His last television appearance was in the show Oh Yeah. He died on February 11, 1982 of emphysema.