HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AKIRA TAKARADA! The Toho star turns 78 on April 29

Celebrating a birthday in style: totorom and Akira Takarada are joined by yours truly at a Tokyo Italian restaurant on March 29, in celebration of my 31st birthday.

Here in Japan, the date is April 29th, and this day marks the 78th birthday of Akira Takarada. Mr. Takarada portrayed Hideto Ogata in the original Godzilla movie from 1954 and starred in five other G-films, among other Toho kaiju classics. Mr. Takarada makes his second appearance at Chicago's G-FEST this summer, July 13-15. 

"Hey, that's me!" Mr. Takarada spots himself in a book about Eiji Tsuburaya.

I spoke with Mr. Takarada on the phone earlier today, and he plans to celebrate his birthday with a small party. Not a bad way to celebrate the big day at all!

Here's to you, Mr. Takarada!