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.

Keiko's caretakers will live nearby in a house fixed up for them by a local farmer. Plans are to lead Keiko out for walks to build up his stamina, and to feed him when he wants to be fed. Otherwise, he is free …

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.

Keiko, the orca star of 1993’s Free Willy, lived in poor conditions in a cramped Mexican amusement park pool. Public outcry and media attention following the film led to a movement to free Keiko. Despite …

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 …

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 …

Keiko, a male orca (orcinus orca) originally captured in 1979 from a pod in Iceland, lived in Oregon for less than three years. During that time he became one of Oregon’s best-known celebrities and a …

People were driving from Germany to the middle of Norway to see him, and on the weekends we had thousands and thousands of people coming. We had to have the police working with us, because …