Haruo Nakajima

Acting

January 1, 1929 – August 7, 2017 (aged 88)

Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan

Haruo Nakajima (Japanese: 中島春雄, Hepburn: Nakajima Haruo; January 1, 1929 – August 7, 2017) was a Japanese actor and stuntman. A pioneer of suit acting, he is best known for playing Godzilla in 12 consecutive films, starting from the original Godzilla until Godzilla vs. Gigan. Nakajima also played various other kaiju in Toho's tokusatsu films, including Rodan, Mothra and The War of the Gargantuas and also appeared in minor roles in Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, and Stray Dog.

Filmography

The Dawn of Kaiju Eiga

The Dawn of Kaiju Eiga2019 · Self - Suit Actor

Mifune: The Last Samurai

Mifune: The Last Samurai2016 · Self - Actor

Go, Sompote Sands!

Go, Sompote Sands!2013 · Himself

Men in Suits

Men in Suits2012 · Self

Bringing Godzilla Down to Size: The Art of Japanese Special Effects

Bringing Godzilla Down to Size: The Art of Japanese Special Effects2008 · Himself

The Spirit of Godzilla

The Spirit of Godzilla2004

Godzilla, King of the Monsters

Godzilla, King of the Monsters1998

Faces of Horror

Faces of Horror1989 · Gezora - Kameba (archive)

Godzilla 1985

Godzilla 19851985 · Original Godzilla (archive footage) (uncredited)

Bloodthirsty Hawk

Bloodthirsty Hawk1977 · Bloodthirsty Hawk (uncredited)

Godzilla

Godzilla1977 · Godzilla (uncredited)

The King, the Squirrel and the Grass Snake

The King, the Squirrel and the Grass Snake1973 · Prime Minister's Chauffeur

Godzilla vs. Megalon

Godzilla vs. Megalon1973 · Godzilla (archive footage) (uncredited)

Godzilla vs. Gigan

Godzilla vs. Gigan1972 · Godzilla / JSDF Officer / Background Comic Editor

Godzilla vs. Hedorah

Godzilla vs. Hedorah1971 · Godzilla

First-Decade President vs. Second-Decade Staff

First-Decade President vs. Second-Decade Staff1971

It's a Man's Way of Life

It's a Man's Way of Life1970

After Lately

After Lately1970 · Gezora / Ganimes / Taro Kudo (water scene stunt double)

All Monsters Attack

All Monsters Attack1969 · Godzilla

Latitude Zero

Latitude Zero1969 · Griffon / Giant Rat / Bat Man

Black Comedy - Ah, Fool

Black Comedy - Ah, Fool1969

Admiral Yamamoto

Admiral Yamamoto1968 · Staff of Flying Dragon / Staff of Rabaul

Destroy All Monsters

Destroy All Monsters1968 · Godzilla / Military Advisor

Boy Meets Girl

Boy Meets Girl1967 · Godzilla (water scenes)

Seventeen

Seventeen1967 · U-Tom (Suit Actor)

Unforgettable

Unforgettable1967 · King Kong

Do Your Best! Godzilla

Do Your Best! Godzilla1967 · Godzilla (archive footage) (uncredited)

Ebirah, Horror of the Deep

Ebirah, Horror of the Deep1966 · Godzilla / Infant Islander

What's Up, Tiger Lily?

What's Up, Tiger Lily?1966 · Wong Henchman

The War of the Gargantuas

The War of the Gargantuas1966 · Gaira

Ultraman

Ultraman1966 · Neronga

Ultra Q

Ultra Q1966 · Gomess (Suit Actor)

Invasion of Astro-Monster

Invasion of Astro-Monster1965 · Godzilla

Ironfinger

Ironfinger1965 · Detective (uncredited)

Key of Keys

Key of Keys1965 · Gegen's Henchman

Frankenstein Conquers the World

Frankenstein Conquers the World1965 · Baragon / JSDF Soldier

The Retreat from Kiska

The Retreat from Kiska1965

The School of Flesh

The School of Flesh1965

Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster

Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster1964 · Godzilla

Mr. Robot

Mr. Robot1964 · Coal plant witness

Tokyo 1960