Akihiko Hirata (1927-1984) was a Japanese actor, primarily known for his role as the tormented scientist Daisuke Serizawa in the original 1954 film *Godzilla*. His performance established him as an iconic figure in *kaiju* cinema and inextricably linked him to Toho, the production company for which he worked for much of his career. He appeared in numerous other films of the genre, including subsequent installments of the Godzilla saga, *Rodan*, and *Mothra*, often playing scientists, military officers, or authority figures. Beyond science fiction cinema, Hirata demonstrated his versatility by working with internationally renowned directors such as Akira Kurosawa in films like *Sanjuro* and *Throne of Blood*. His prolific career, spanning over one hundred films, made him one of the most recognizable faces of post-war Japanese cinema, celebrated for his screen presence and his ability to bring gravitas and dignity to his characters, solidifying his status as a key actor in the golden age of Japanese cinema.