Who Is Carol Kikumura? the Untold Story of Rod Taylor’s Devoted Wife
By Alexander Ross
One of the most meaningful roles in Carol Kikumura’s personal biography was her presence in the life of Rod Taylor’s daughter, Felicia Taylor. Born in 1964 from his second marriage to Mary Hilem, Felicia grew up to become a prominent television journalist and anchor, reporting for CNN International and CNBC's Business Center.
Blended families in entertainment circles are notoriously fraught, yet Kikumura managed the dynamic with steady sensitivity. She never sought to replace Felicia’s biological mother. Instead, she provided a calm, welcoming environment where Felicia could maintain a healthy, continuous relationship with her father as he aged.
Felicia frequently credited Kikumura with keeping her father grounded during his twilight years. Following Taylor's passing in 2015, Felicia issued public statements emphasizing that her father’s greatest joy was being at home with his wife and family. When Felicia herself tragically passed away in November 2023 at age 59, retrospective accounts reaffirmed the stability Kikumura had provided to both father and daughter across three decades.
Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.
