Takeshi Sasaki

, better known under the stage name is a Japanese actor who portrayed Hayato Ichimonji/Kamen Rider 2 in the original Kamen Rider series. In recent crossover movies, his character was voiced over by Takahiro Fujimoto, though Sasaki reprised his role in 2011's OOO, Den-O, All Riders: Let's Go Kamen Riders.
He is not to be confused another Takeshi Sasaki, who voices the equipment voice from Kamen Rider Blade.
==Biography==
After graduating from high school, Sasaki was inspired to go into acting and debuted in 1968 in a drama series. In 1971, He was brought onto the original Kamen Rider series to take on the role of Hayato Ichimonji, stepping in for Takeshi Hongo after Hiroshi Fujioka's motorcycle injury. Sasaki was initially reluctant due to his close friendship with Fujioka, but accepted the role after producer Tohru Hirayama assured him that he would continue until Fujioka fully recovered.堤哲哉 編『仮面ライダーV3カード』日本文芸社、1998年7月25日、172-173頁。ISBN 4-537-02642-1。Vol.2《仮面ライダー2号》、2004年10月8日。ISBN 4-06-367092-9。講談社 編『仮面ライダー1971-1984 秘蔵写真と初公開資料で蘇る昭和ライダー10人』講談社、2014年11月20日。ISBN 978-4-06-218566-0。『宇宙船別冊 仮面ライダー怪人大画報2016』ホビージャパン〈ホビージャパンMOOK〉、2016年3月28日。ISBN 978-4-7986-1202-7。
After Fujioka made his full recovery, the staff proposed Sasaki to continue starring in the show as part of the Double Riders. However, Sasaki, true to his commitment, declined and relinquished the lead role back to Fujioka.仮面ライダー1971-1984 2014, pp. 94–97, 「INTERVIEW 佐々木剛」仮面ライダー怪人大画報 2016, pp. 62–66, 「仮面ライダーを育てた三賢人I 平山亨」 Nevertheless, he continued to make occasional appearances as Kamen Rider 2 throughout the original series and appeared many times in the Kamen Rider series as Hayato Ichimonji. Sasaki's consistent acceptance of offers to join Kamen Rider stemmed from his joy in reuniting with the staff members whom he got along well.岡謙二 1999,
===Accident===
On the morning of the February 2nd, 1982, Sasaki and his family became victims of a massive fire.Sony Magazine. (1999). Immortal Hero - Masked Rider. p. 60. ISBN 4789713385 After returning home with his wife, the drunk couple went to sleep without turning off the gas stove. A bath towel falling atop the stove caused the fire, which caused tremendous damage to not only Sasaki's own apartment, but also that of his neighbors. While his wife at the time escaped with minimal injuries, Sasaki sustained severe burns to 70% of his body.Byakusha Shobo. (1998). Hayato Ichimonji - Masked Rider 2 Legend. p. 175. ISBN 978-4893675705 Although he survived and underwent more than 5 skin graft operations to recover, the injuries on his face proved fatal for his career as an actor. After failing to transition into a voice actor, Sasaki was forced to take odd jobs to provide for his family and pay off the various debts he accrued.
Around 1985, Sasaki's marriage ended in divorce, and he ended up living in homeless poverty. He spent long hours in pachinko parlors, drank heavily, and by all accounts became a self-defeating individual. During his odd jobs, when confronted by individuals who recognized him, he would deny his identity and claim that Sasaki had died.
Sasaki eventually managed to restore his finances and confidence through the help of his close friend and YOU'RE FISH co-star Shoji Ishibashi in 1991.Sony Magazine. (1999). Immortal Hero - Masked Rider. p. 61. ISBN 4789713385 This lead to his eventual return to the Kamen Rider series, although he has only reprised the role in voice-form to date in most media. 
Sasaki remarried on May 7th, 2016, his 69th birthday.Toru Okazaki's Official Blog
==Personal Life==
*Sasaki has , a condition that causes hair loss. During filming of the original series, Sasaki wore a wig.講談社 編『仮面ライダー1971-1984 秘蔵写真と初公開資料で蘇る昭和ライダー10人』講談社、2014年11月20日。ISBN 978-4-06-218566-0。
*In discussing Shin Kamen Rider, Sasaki admitted not liking the film, as he found it "different and unpleasant." However, he did praise Tasuku Emoto's portrayal as Hayato Ichimonji, acknowledging how well Emoto captured the essence of the character envisioned by Shotaro Ishinomori.https://www.jprime.jp/articles/-/27660https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QT6SS4BVZE
==Filmography==
===Film===
*Kamen Rider Vs. Shocker (1972)
*Kamen Rider V3 Vs. Destron Mutants (1973) (Voice)
*Five Riders vs. Kingdark (1974) (Voice)
*Birth of the 10th! Kamen Riders All Together!! (1984) (Voice)
*OOO, Den-O, All Riders: Let's Go Kamen Riders (2011) (Voice)
===Television===
*Kamen Rider (1971)
*Kamen Rider V3 (1973)
*Kamen Rider X (1974)
*Kamen Rider Stronger (1975)
*Kamen Rider (Skyrider) (1980)
=== Video Games===
* Kamen Rider: Seigi no Keifu (2003) (Voice)
== References ==
Category:Actors