Person
Haruo Nakajima
Acting · 1929–2017 · Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
Biography
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.
Known for
Ultraman
Neronga
Ultraseven
U-Tom (Suit Actor)
Godzilla: King of the Monsters
In Memory Of
Seven Samurai
Bandit
Godzilla
Godzilla / News Reporter / Substation Worker
Ultra Q
Gomess (Suit Actor)
The Hidden Fortress
Soldier (uncredited)
Godzilla, King of the Monsters!
Godzilla (uncredited)
King Kong vs. Godzilla
Godzilla
Ebirah, Horror of the Deep
Godzilla / Infant Islander
Filmography
- 2019Godzilla: King of the MonstersIn Memory Of
- 2019The Dawn of Kaiju EigaSelf - Suit Actor
- 2016Mifune: The Last SamuraiSelf - Actor
- 2012Men in SuitsSelf
- 2008Bringing Godzilla Down to Size: The Art of Japanese Special EffectsHimself
- 2004The Spirit of Godzilla
- 1998Godzilla, King of the Monsters
- 1989Faces of HorrorGezora - Kameba (archive)
- 1985Godzilla 1985Original Godzilla (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 1977Bloodthirsty HawkBloodthirsty Hawk (uncredited)
- 1977GodzillaGodzilla (uncredited)
- 1973Submersion of JapanPrime Minister's Chauffeur
- 1973Godzilla vs. MegalonGodzilla (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 1972Godzilla vs. GiganGodzilla / JSDF Officer / Background Comic Editor
- 1971Godzilla vs. HedorahGodzilla
- 1971First-Decade President vs. Second-Decade Staff
- 1970It's a Man's Way of Life
- 1970Space AmoebaGezora / Ganimes / Taro Kudo (water scene stunt double)
- 1969All Monsters AttackGodzilla
- 1969Latitude ZeroGriffon / Giant Rat / Bat Man
- 1969Black Comedy - Ah, Fool
- 1968Admiral YamamotoStaff of Flying Dragon / Staff of Rabaul
- 1968Destroy All MonstersGodzilla / Military Advisor
- 1967Son of GodzillaGodzilla (water scenes)
- 1967UltrasevenU-Tom (Suit Actor)
- 1967King Kong EscapesKing Kong
- 1967Do Your Best! GodzillaGodzilla (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 1966Ebirah, Horror of the DeepGodzilla / Infant Islander
- 1966What's Up, Tiger Lily?Wong Henchman
- 1966The War of the GargantuasGaira
- 1966UltramanNeronga
- 1966Ultra QGomess (Suit Actor)
- 1965Invasion of Astro-MonsterGodzilla
- 1965IronfingerDetective (uncredited)
- 1965Key of KeysGegen's Henchman
- 1965Frankenstein Conquers the WorldBaragon / JSDF Soldier
- 1965The Retreat from Kiska
- 1965The School of Flesh
- 1964Ghidorah, the Three-Headed MonsterGodzilla
- 1964DogoraCoal plant witness
- 1964Legend of the Irresponsible Hero
- 1964Mothra vs. GodzillaGodzilla
- 1964YearningShopkeeper (uncredited)
- 1963AtragonMu Empire man / Self Defense Forces exec
- 1963MatangoMatango
- 1963Japan's No. 1 Playboy
- 1963King Kong vs. GodzillaGodzilla (uncredited)
- 1962Varan the UnbelievableVaran
- 1962King Kong vs. GodzillaGodzilla
- 1962GorathMaguma
- 1961MothraMothra
- 1961Daredevil in the Castle
- 1961Blueprint of Murder
- 1960The Human VaporTransitional Vapor Man (uncredited)
- 1960The Storm of the Pacific
- 1960The Last GunfightHenchman (uncredited)
- 1959Saga of the Vagabonds
- 1959Submarine I-57 Will Not Surrender
- 1959Gigantis, the Fire MonsterGigantis (uncredited)
- 1958The Hidden FortressSoldier (uncredited)
- 1958Adults Cannot Understand - Record of Youth
- 1958VaranVaran
- 1958The H-ManSecond Dissolved Sailor (uncredited)
- 1957The MysteriansGiant Robot
- 1957Tokyo 1960Godzilla
- 1957Rodan! The Flying MonsterRodan / Meganulon (uncredited)
- 1957The Chieko Story
- 1957Half Human: The Story of the Abominable Snowman
- 1957Godzilla, the Monster of the Pacific OceanGodzilla (uncredited)
- 1957A Man in the Storm
- 1957The Luckiest DaiDriver
- 1956RodanRodan / Meganulon
- 1956Rebels on the High Sea
- 1956Godzilla, King of the Monsters!Godzilla (uncredited)
- 1956Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island(uncredited)
- 1955I Live in FearFoundry employee (uncredited)
- 1955Beast Man Snow ManMountain searcher
- 1955Godzilla Raids AgainGodzilla
- 1954Invisible ManHaruo Akita / Invisible Man Akita / Takamitsu Nanjô (stunt double)
- 1954GodzillaGodzilla / News Reporter / Substation Worker
- 1954Seven SamuraiBandit
- 1954Farewell RabaulSoldier (uncredited)
- 1953The Eagle of the PacificZero Fighter in Flames (uncredited)
- 1953Mr. Pu
- 1952Sword for Hire
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