Keiko (c. 1976 – 12 December 2003) was a male orca captured in the Atlantic Ocean near Iceland in 1979, and widely known for his portrayal of Willy in the 1993 film Free Willy.

January 24, 2003: AN ABC 20/20 story on Keiko repeats the same old cynicism from ten years ago, despite the actual fact that Keiko is now free and fully capable to roam the North Atlantic, and could …

Jul 19, 2023 · On December 12, 2003, the Free Willy/Keiko Foundation and the Humane Society of the United States reported that Keiko, the orca whale, died in the Taknes Fjord, Norway, in the company …

Keiko (pronounced KAY-ko) was an approximately 26-year-old male Icelandic killer whale who was captured near Ingólfshöfði (EENG-ohls-hovu-thi), south-east Iceland, on November 5th, 1979, …

Keiko lived five years in his native waters as opposed to staying in a tiny tank in Mexico, where he was visibly dying. Although he didn’t reintegrate with other orcas, he had freedom and had his basic …

Watch how Keiko, the orca star of the hit film Free Willy, became the first captive orca to be successfully returned to his ocean.

Nov 19, 2025 · Behind the cinematic tale of a boy helping a captive killer whale return to the wild was Keiko, an actual orca living in captivity whose life would eventually mirror the movie’s plot in an …

Sep 29, 2025 · Keiko, the orca star of Free Willy, died prematurely in 2003 after struggling to adapt to a life outside of captivity. His story highlights the complex challenges and ethical considerations …

In the past, Keiko has also been known as Keiko Sakaribara. Keiko maintains relationships with many people -- family, friends, associates, & neighbors -- including Toshikazu Sakakibara.

Keiko, a Genus Orca whale, was born in 1976 and captured off the coast of Iceland in 1979. He was sold to the marine park industry, and in 1985 he arrived to Reino Aventura in Mexico City where and …