"What is good about the movie industry, I think, is that I could share inspiration, emotion, courage, and pleasure with many people, and 50 years later, I can see my movies now, and see my works when I was young, and throughout different times in my life. So it’s fun to be in this industry. On top of that, I was lucky to get to know many different people, thanks to this industry." - Yosuke Natsuki, February 2013
With deep regret and sorrow we pass along news from Nikkan Sports that actor Yosuke Natsuki passed away on Sunday, January 14th, from a form of skin cancer. He was 81 years old.
Godzilla fans know Natsuki best for his lead performance as Detective Shindo in Ghidorah: The Three Headed Monster (1964). He returned twenty years later to the series in The Return of Godzilla (1984). As Dr. Hayashida, he took over a role initially intended for Akihiko Hirata. Hirata passed away before The Return of Godzilla began filming. Natsuki also lead the kaiju-drama Dogora (1964).
Natsuki joined Toho in the 1950s and was in the 10th class of Toho's institute for acting. Producer Tomoyuki Tanaka (producer of the first 22 Godzilla films) was later responsible for placing him in specific projects.
His first film role was a bit part in Ishiro Honda's The H-Man (1958). Natsuki landed his first lead role in Mikkokusha wa dar ka that same year.
He later worked with Japanese superstar Toshiro Mifune in The Osaka Castle Story (1961) and Akira Kurosawa's Yojimbo (1961). In the mid-1960s Mifune asked Natsuki to join his production company and stable of actors. He went on to star in multiple TV series throughout the 1960s and 70s, including Tokyo Bypass Directive and the smash hit Gmen '75.
In later years Natsuki made a small return to special effects and kaiju, briefly lending his voice to the prime time Ultra series, Ultraseven X (2007). He also made an appearance in Monster X Strikes Back: Attack the G8 Summit (2008).
We offer our condolences and prayers to Natsuki's family. We've lost an excellent talent and wonderful soul.
Thank you to to wolfmanwalter13 on Twitter for bringing this to our attention.
--
Sources:
Nikkan Sports
Vantage Point Interviews
If you are a fan of Godzilla, Toho and the Monsterverse and are looking for a welcoming online community to share your passion and engage with other die-hard Godzilla fans, look no further! Join in the Godzilla Movies forum - a dedicated community of Godzilla movie and Monsterverse fans!
Godzilla Quick Links
- Godzilla vs. Kong 2 Official Plot Synopsis
- New Godzilla Monsterverse game in development by Legendary and 7Levels!
- Matt Shakman to direct Monsterverse Godzilla Series for Apple TV!
Get G-ed Up!
With the upcoming release of Adam Wingard's Godzilla vs. Kong, now is a great time to pick your Titan and represent Godzilla or Kong! Check out some products below and click here for even more options!
This article was written By G. H. (Gman) and published on 2018-01-18 16:28:17
More about upcoming Godzilla & Monsterverse projects
Godzilla vs. Kong was the sequel to Michael Dougherty's Godzilla 2: King of the Monsters and was the fourth and final installment in the Monsterverse movie quadrilogy. Now, the Monsterverse takes a new direction - into TV! On January 20th, 2022 Legendary announced a new live-action Godzilla Monsterverse TV Series which will stream on Apple TV Plus network! Be sure to check Godzilla-Movies often for the latest news and info on the Monsterverse TV Series and all things Toho Godzilla as well!
Stay up to date with the latest news on all things Godzilla, Toho and the Monsterverse also by liking us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter and Instagram! Also, consider subscribing your email to our blog for instant notifications of when new posts are made!
