Akiko Wakabayashi

Akiko Wakabayashi

Akiko Wakabayashi was born on December 13, 1939 in Tokyo, Japan, Japan, is Actress. Akiko Wakabayashi was born on August 26, 1941 in Tokyo, Japan. During her work in movies, she became one of Japan's most popular actresses of their cinema's "Golden Age", ranking with actresses Kumi Mizuno and Mie Hama. One of her first films was Akiko (1961), which was named after her. Interestingly, the movie title shares both her real and character names. Her career took off when she came to Toho Studios, appearing in a host of sci-fi films, including that of the sexy gangster moll in Uchû daikaijû Dogora (1964) and the bewitching alien-possessed princess in San daikaijû: Chikyû saidai no kessen (1964). However, in the Western Cinema, she is probably best-known for her role as Bond girl "Aki" in the 007 epic, You Only Live Twice (1967), appearing alongside actor Sean Connery. When production of the 007 film began, Wakabayashi was originally chosen to play Bond girl "Kissy Suzuki" and her co-star, Mie Hama, is to play Bond girl "Suki". As Hama had a difficult time mastering the English language, the two actresses switched roles. In addition, Wakabayashi suggested her character name be Aki instead of Suki.In the late 1960s to early 1970s, Japan's movie industry experienced an economic slump, which resulted in severe budget cuts. During that time, Wakabayashi made a rather abrupt end to her acting career, and has never been seen on the big screen since. Whether or not the economic slump played a factor, Wakabayashi remains one of the most memorable actresses of Japan, especially to Toho Studios' sci-fi fandom.
Akiko Wakabayashi is a member of Actress

Does Akiko Wakabayashi Dead or Alive?

As per our current Database, Akiko Wakabayashi is still alive (as per Wikipedia, Last update: May 10, 2020).

🎂 Akiko Wakabayashi - Age, Bio, Faces and Birthday

Currently, Akiko Wakabayashi is 84 years, 4 months and 14 days old. Akiko Wakabayashi will celebrate 85rd birthday on a Friday 13th of December 2024. Below we countdown to Akiko Wakabayashi upcoming birthday.

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

Popular As	Akiko Wakabayashi
Occupation	Actress
Age	84 years old
Zodiac Sign	Virgo
Born	December 13, 1939 ( Tokyo, Japan, Japan)
Birthday	December 13
Town/City	Tokyo, Japan, Japan
Nationality	Japan

🌙 Zodiac

Akiko Wakabayashi’s zodiac sign is Virgo. According to astrologers, Virgos are always paying attention to the smallest details and their deep sense of humanity makes them one of the most careful signs of the zodiac. Their methodical approach to life ensures that nothing is left to chance, and although they are often tender, their heart might be closed for the outer world. This is a sign often misunderstood, not because they lack the ability to express, but because they won’t accept their feelings as valid, true, or even relevant when opposed to reason. The symbolism behind the name speaks well of their nature, born with a feeling they are experiencing everything for the first time.

🌙 Chinese Zodiac Signs

Akiko Wakabayashi was born in the Year of the Rabbit. Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Rabbit enjoy being surrounded by family and friends. They’re popular, compassionate, sincere, and they like to avoid conflict and are sometimes seen as pushovers. Rabbits enjoy home and entertaining at home. Compatible with Goat or Pig.

Some Akiko Wakabayashi images

Biography/Timeline

1962

When production of You Only Live Twice began, Wakabayashi was originally slated to play the role of Kissy Suzuki whilst her co-star Mie Hama played Suki, one of Tiger Tanaka's top agents. When learning English proved to be a major hurdle to Hama, the women switched roles, with Hama now playing the smaller part of Kissy and Wakabayashi playing the larger part of Suki. At her suggestion, the character of Suki was renamed Aki. They had previously acted together in King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) and Kokusai himitsu keisatsu: Kagi no kagi (1965).

1967

She is best known in English-speaking countries for her role as Bond girl Aki in the 1967 James Bond movie You Only Live Twice. Before this, she had made many movies in her native Japan, especially Toho Studio's Monster movies, such as Dagora, the Space Monster (1964) and Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964), both of which were also released under various other titles. In Gidorah, she played a mystical Princess, who could predict the Future and was also a prophetess.

1971

In 1971 she made an appearance in an episode of Shirley's World. Wakabayashi made only one more film (and a guest TV appearance) before disappearing from both the big and small screen. In an interview in G-FAN magazine (No. 76), Wakabayashi said she retired from acting owing to injuries sustained while making a movie.