Japanese actor Akira Takarada has died at the age of 87 Toho Studios has confirmed.
He was best known for his role in the original Godzilla movie and his voiceover work.
Toho Studios said in a statement on Twitter : "We are saddened to hear of the passing of Akira Takarada. May his memory continue to inspire the lives of many Godzilla fans."
No cause or date of death was revealed in the announcement.
The star played the role of a sailor called Hideto Ogata in the company's 1954 production of the original Godzilla film.
His character was the liaison with the Japanese Coast Guard in the iconic movie as the first ship sank by the monster sent out an SOS call.
Akira's character was also there at the film’s end to watch Godzilla die from the Oxygen Destroyer.
He was also present in the 1956 American re-edit of the action movie titled Godzilla, King of the Monsters, which starred Raymond Burr.
He was a regular part of other editions of the franchise, including 1964's Mothra vs. Godzilla.
In 1992 he returned for the updated version and made his final appearance in the series in 2004 when he featured in Godzilla: Final Wars.
Other movies with a monster theme Akira featured in including Invasion of the Astro-Monster in 1965 and 1966's Ebirah, Horror of the Deep.
As well as his work on stage, Akira was famed for his voiceover work.
In 1967 he was the voice of the lead character in Doctor Doolittle, while he also starred in the Disney animated features The Great Mouse Detective and Aladdin, in which he voiced the villains Ratigan and Jafar.
Fans from across the world took to social media to pay their respects following the announcement.
One Twitter user said: "Akira Takarada, the Legendary Godzilla actor, has unfortunately passed away at the age of 87. We had the pleasure of meeting him at G-Fest, such a genuinely nice man with incredible stories. He will be sorely missed."
Another commented: "The news broke that Akira Takarada has passed away. My heart is broken."
And a third wrote: "Akira Takarada has passed away. He was 87 years old. Takarada was a marvelous actor and kind human being. Rest In Peace."
