Remembering Derrick Holmes

Derrick Holmes in November 2012. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today, I caught a screening of Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989) at the Shin Bungeiza theater in Ikebukuro. One of the things I enjoyed most about it was seeing Derrick Holmes as Biomajor agent Michael Low again. As I watched him in the movie, it reminded me that, a couple of years ago, I finally found someone who told me the cause of his passing.

Derrick Holmes in November 2012. Photo by Brett Homenick.

In June 2021, I contacted one of Derrick's friends via social media, who told me what happened. According to what I was told, he fell off a stairwell from about the seventh floor. It was also determined to be an accident, as he apparently slipped and fell.

Derrick Holmes in August 2011. Photo by Brett Homenick.

One of the strangest things about Derrick's passing was that I visited him the same month he died. He certainly looked healthy to me, and he was also in great spirits. I'd always assumed that whatever happened must have been an accident, but I wasn't able to get any confirmation until about a year and a half ago.

Derrick Holmes poses with Jon Gallock, who appears in Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995), in November 2012. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Although I'd been in contact with Derrick electronically for years prior to my move to Japan, we only met twice -- once in Roppongi in August 2011, and the second time was around Shinjuku in November 2012. In my writeup of the second meeting on this blog, I wrote: "All in all, it was a great time with a good friend. We ought to get together more often!" Sigh.

With Derrick Holmes in August 2011.

The first time we met, Derrick showed me around Roppongi. Despite the area's reputation, it was good clean fun all the way. 

I made a video of my hanging out with Derrick, which you can watch here.

Seeing Derrick on the big screen brought back so many memories, and I did want to post an update to give the people who knew and loved him some closure in case they didn't know what happened. 

Below are a couple of other photos from my collection.

The two thumbs up above say it all.

RIP, my good friend.

RIP, Derrick Michael Holmes

Derrick Holmes, enjoying life in Shinjuku, Tokyo, November 2012. 

I am extremely saddened to learn of the passing of my friend Derrick Michael Holmes on November 25, 2012. At this point, I don't have any other details, but his passing strikes me especially hard. Derrick was easily one of the nicest people I've ever met, either in Japan or the U.S.

Derrick and I at a Starbucks in Shinjuku Station, November 2012.

Although Derrick worked mostly as an animal caretaker, he also had many acting credits to his name, including Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989) as Biomajor spy Michael Low and Lady Battle Cop (1990).

Derrick meets Godzilla vs. Destroyah actor Jon Gallock at Shinjuku Station, November 2012.

Below is video I took of Derrick as he showed me around Roppongi in August 2011. Also below is a commercial for Parliament's Up for the Down Stroke in which Derrick appears as a teen riding a bicycle.

Rest in Peace, my friend.

Tokyo: Familiar names and faces

With Heisei Gamera SFX maestro Shinji Higuchi at T.G.I. Friday's in Shinagawa, Tokyo. 

In the coming days, I plan to blog more about my various excursions around Tokyo. For right now, I'll cover some of the highlights of my trip, focusing here on many of the familiar faces I was happy to meet (some for the very first time).

Sandwiched between model maker extraordinaire Hiroshi Sagae and filmmaker Yoshikazu Ishii, at the same T.G.I. Friday's.

It was a true thrill to meet Yutaka Hayashi (Godzilla vs. Megalon) at a Beatles-themed nightclub in Roppongi! Mr. Hayashi is a genuine childhood hero.

With Godzilla series screenwriter Wataru Mimura (Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla 2, Godzilla 2000, Godzilla: Final Wars) in Shibuya.

Meeting one of my very first G-FAN interviewees, Richard Berger (Grenchiko in Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah). We visited Harajuku and Omotesando.

Here with Jon Gallock, who appeared as a terrified airline pilot in Godzilla vs. Destroyah, in Shinjuku.

With Bin Furuya (the original Ultraman suit actor and Ultra Seven cast member) at a shabu shabu dinner in Roppongi.

Here I am with another legendary Toho actor, Yosuke Natsuki, at Toho Studios! All three of his Toho kaiju eiga (Ghidrah the Three-Headed Monster, Dogora the Space Monster, and Godzilla 1985) are favorites of mine.

Holding the Oxygen Destroyer with Godzilla himself, Haruo Nakajima, the original Godzilla suit actor from 1954-1972, at Toho Studios. Yosuke Natsuki looks on.

With expert monster suit maker Shinichi Wakasa at his workshop. As you can see, Destroyah was there, too!

Sitting between the original Ultraman and Godzilla at -- where else? -- Toho Studios.

Inside Toho's Stage 8 where all the great drama scenes were filmed. Standing with Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster director Yoshimitsu Banno and Haruo Nakajima.

Meeting Derrick Holmes (Godzilla vs. Biollante, Lady Battle Cop). We walked around Roppongi, and man, what a night it was!

Hanging with Kent Gilbert (Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah) in Roppongi. Kent remains a very busy guy to this day.

With Akira Takarada, who at this point needs no introduction. He's the man who made the Toho tour happen. Couldn't ask for a better tour guide. Arigato gozaimasu, Takarada-sama!