See also Biography Index (K) :: Filmography Index (K) :: Discography Index (K)

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 lived a normal life for a captive whale until 1993. In that year, he was cast as "Willy" in the movie "Free Willy," capturing the hearts of millions of children and adults worldwide. Afterwards, he was virtually forgotten until he was found living in horrible condition in a Mexican aquarium. An international pledge was started, and enough money was raised to have him sent to the Oregon Coast Aquarium; before being airlifted back to Iceland in 1998 to prepare him for a return to the wild.