Today, we say goodbye to an icon.
Earlier today, Sumiko Shirakawa’s talent agency announced that the actress had passed away. She was 80.
According to authorities, Shirakawa failed to show up to a Sazae-san recording session. Show staff and Shirakawa’s family visited her home, where they found her body in the bathroom. Because Shirakawa lived alone, and she died at home, a medical coroner will examine the actress’s body to determine cause of death.
Sumiko Shirakawa made her voice acting début in the 1960s. Through her career, Shirakawa held roles in a number of prominent shows, including Moko in Himitsu no Akko-chan and André in Dog of Flanders. She was best known, though, for her work as Dekisugi in Doraemon and Hiroshi Nakajima in Sazae-san.
Shirakawa’s final Sazae-san performance will air on November 29. Fuji TV is currently holding auditions to recast her character.
Source: Asahi Shimbun
