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).

Career

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 24 years, he retired from suit acting upon completion of Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972), when the studio cycled him out of their contract actor system, after it split into several subsidiaries in 1970. He stayed employed by Toho for several years, and was transferred to a job at its bowling alley, located on the studio lot (now defunct).

Starting in the late 1990s, Nakajima made a series of personal appearances in Chicago, New York City, New Jersey, and Hollywood (in 2000) at various Japanese monster-themed conventions. He appeared at the Monsterpalooza convention in Burbank, California on April 8–10, 2011. His Japanese-language autobiography, 『怪獣人生 元祖ゴジラ俳優・中島春雄』 (Monster Life: Haruo Nakajima, the Original Godzilla Actor), published by Yosensha, was released on July 17, 2010.

Death

On August 7, 2017, several media outlets reported that Nakajima had died.

Selected filmography

• 1952 - Sword For Hire
• 1952 - The Woman Who Touched the Legs
• 1953 - Eagle of the Pacific
• 1954 - Farewell Rabaul
• 1954 - Seven Samurai (Bandit)
• 1954 - Godzilla (Godzilla, Newspaper Writer)
• 1954 - Tomei Ningen (Invisible Man)
• 1955 - Meoto zenzai
• 1955 - Godzilla Raids Again (Godzilla)
• 1956 - Madame Whitesnake
• 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)
• 1958 - The Hidden Fortress
• 1959 - Boss of the Underworld
• 1959 - Submarine I-57 Will Not Surrender
• 1959 - Desperado Outpost
• 1959 - The Last Gunfight
• 1960 - Secret of the Telegian
• 1960 - Storm Over the Pacific
• 1960 - Westward Desperado
• 1960 - The Human Vapor
• 1961 - Yojimbo
• 1961 - Daredevil in the Castle
• 1961 - Mothra (larval Mothra)
• 1961 - The Last War
• 1961 - The Story of Osaka Castle
• 1962 - King Kong vs. Godzilla (Godzilla)
• 1962 - Chushingura: Hana no Maki, Yuki no Maki
• 1963 - Wings Over the Pacific
• 1963 - Sengoku Yaro
• 1963 - Matango (Matango)
• 1963 - Atragon
• 1964 - Mothra vs. Godzilla (Godzilla)
• 1964 - Dogora, the Space Monster
• 1964 - Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (Godzilla)
• 1965 - Retreat from Kiska
• 1965 - Frankenstein vs. Baragon (Baragon)
• 1965 - Invasion of the Astro-Monster (Godzilla)
• 1966 - The War of the Gargantuas (Gaira)
• 1966 - What's Up, Tiger Lily (footage from Kokusai himitsu keisatsu: Kagi no kagi 1965)
• 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)
• 1973 - Japan Sinks (Prime Minister's Chauffeur)

• 1966 - Ultra Q (Gomess, Pagos)
• 1966, 1967 - Ultraman (Neronga, Gabora, Jirass, Kiyla)
• 1967, 1968 - Ultra Seven (U-Tom)