Megumi Odaka (小高恵美, Odaka Megumi, born May 9, 1972, in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan), is a former Japanese idol, actress and singer. She is best known for the role of Miki Saegusa in six Godzilla films from 1989 to 1995.
Quick Facts Born, Occupation(s) ...
Megumi Odaka |
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Born | (1972-05-09) May 9, 1972 (age 51)
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Occupation(s) | Actress, singer |
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Years active | 1984–2000, 2023 |
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Notable work | Heisei Godzilla Series |
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Spouse | Akihiro Ugajin |
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Megumi Odaka was born on May 9, 1972, in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. She graduated from Horikoshi High School. Odaka is the niece of actress Mayumi Shimizu. While in junior high school, Odaka suffered from a stomach illness and low blood pressure.
After winning the "Toho Cinderella Audition" (東宝「シンデレラ」オーディション, Tōhō Shinderera Ōdishon) in 1987, where she took place with 1984 winner Yasuko Sawaguchi, Odaka made her film debut as the blind girl Akeno in the film Princess from the Moon. The following year she won a Japanese Academy Award for "Rookie of the Year" for her performance in this film.[1] In 1988, she starred in the TV series Hana no Asuka-gumi! as Asuka Kuraku along with Natsuki Ozawa and Hikari Ishida, based on a manga series about a 14-year-old delinquent girl.
Music career
Odaka also had a short singing career from 1988 to 1991, which spawned six singles and the two albums, Milky Cotton (1988) and Powder Snow (1989). She also acted in several stage productions such as "Anne no aijou" (or "Anne no ai") aka "Anne's Love" or "Anne's Affection" in 1991, "Kiki's Delivery Service" in 1995,[3] "Peter Pan" in 1996[4] and "Yana no ue no Violin-jiki" ("Violin Player on top of the Roof" or "Fiddler on the Roof") in 1994, 1996, and 1998.
Retirement
In 2000, Odaka declined a role in a stage adaptation of Phoenix (Hi no Tori) at the Osaka Shochikuza due to her illnesses. She then left Toho and announced her retirement.
Odaka was not heard from until September 25, 2010, when she recorded a message for the Giant Monster Summit 12 (大怪獣サミット12, Dai-kaijū Samitto Jū-ni). Since her retirement, she took several jobs such as office work and cosmetics sales.