Haruo Nakajima (中島 春雄 Nakajima Haruo) (January 1, 1929 – August 7, 2017) was a Japanese actor, best known for portraying Godzilla in twelve consecutive films, from Godzilla (1954) to Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972).
Nakajima was born in Yamagata, Japan. He was considered by many to be the best suit actor in the long history of the franchise. At the time, Toho’s visual effects director, Eiji Tsuburaya considered him completely invaluable, and he was employed to essay the roles of most of the kaiju (Japanese monsters) during his career as a suit actor.
After twenty-four years, Nakajima retired from suit acting, when the studio cycled him out of their contract actor system, having been split into several subsidiaries in 1970.
He stayed employed by Toho for several years, and was transferred to a job at their bowling alley, located on the studio lot.
Selected filmography:
- 1954 – Godzilla (Godzilla, Newspaper Writer)
- 1954 – Tomei Ningen (Invisible Man)
- 1955 – Godzilla Raids Again (Godzilla)
- 1956 – Rodan (Rodan, Meganulon, JSDF Officer)
- 1957 – The Mysterians (Mogera, JDSF Officer)
- 1958 – Varan the Unbelievable (Varan)
- 1958 – The H-Man (The H-Man, Fishing Boat Crew)
- 1960 – Secret of the Telegian
- 1960 – The Human Vapor
- 1961 – Mothra (larval Mothra)
- 1962 – King Kong vs. Godzilla (Godzilla)
- 1963 – Matango (Matango)
1963 – Atragon
1964 – Mothra vs. Godzilla (Godzilla)
1964 – Dogora, the Space Monster
1964 – Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (Godzilla)
1965 – Frankenstein vs. Baragon (Baragon)
1965 – Invasion of the Astro-Monster (Godzilla)
1966 – The War of the Gargantuas (Gaira)
1966 – Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster (Godzilla)
1967 – Son of Godzilla (Godzilla; water scenes only)
1967 – King Kong Escapes (King Kong)
1968 – Destroy All Monsters (Godzilla, Baragon, Military Adviser)
1969 – Latitude Zero (Gryphon, Manbat, Giant Rat, Lion)
1969 – All Monsters Attack (Godzilla)
1970 – Space Amoeba (Gezora, Ganime)
1971 – Godzilla vs. Hedorah (Godzilla)
1972 – Godzilla vs. Gigan (Godzilla, Comic Book Publisher, Defense Forces Officer)
