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. …

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, …

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 first in-depth cinematic look at the life and legend of the “Free Willy” star, “Keiko The Untold Story” goes behind the scenes of the controversial release in 1998 of the first and only orca …

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 …

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 …