Haruo Nakajima was a famous Japanese actor. He was best known for playing Godzilla and is 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 Nakajima completely invaluable, and was employed to essay the roles of most of the kaiju during his reign as the King of the Monsters (1954-1972). After 23 years, Nakajima retired from suit acting upon completion of Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972), when the studio cycled him out of their contract actor system, after Toho had been split into several subsidiaries in 1970. Nakajima was still employed by Toho for several years, and was transferred to a job at Toho's bowling alley, located on the studio lot (now defunct).
Career
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, Monster Life: Haruo Nakajima, The Original Godzilla Actor , was published by Yosensha and released on July 17, 2010.
Personal Life
He was married and has a daughter named Sonoe Nakajime.
Death
Haruo Nakajima passed away on August 7, 2017 at the age 88.
Roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Ultra Q | Gomess | Suit Episode 1 "Defeat Gomess!" |
| Police Chief | Episode 8 "Terror of the Sweet Honey" | ||
| Pagos | Suit Episode 16 "The Rainbow's Egg" | ||
| Ultraman | Neronga | Suit Episode 3 "Science Patrol, Move Out" | |
| Gabora | Suit Episode 9 "Lightning Operation" | ||
| Jirahs | Suit Episode 10 "The Mysterious Dinosaur Base" | ||
| 1967 | Fatherly Man | Episode 25 "Mystery Comet Tsuifon" | |
| Kemur II | Suit Episode 33 "The Forbidden Words" | ||
| Police Chief | Episode 33 "The Forbidden Words" | ||
| Keylla | Suit Episode 38 "The Spaceship Rescue Command" | ||
| 1968 | Ultraseven | U-Tom | Suit Episode 17 "Underground Go! Go! Go!" |
| 1970 | Chibira-kun | Tongari | Suit Episode 11 "Decisive Battle: Goruba-gahara" |
| Gebagoro | Suit Episode 15 "I Am Gebagoro the Robot!" |
Other Roles
- Godzilla - Godzilla
- Godzilla Raids Again - Godzilla
- Rodan - Rodan and Meganulon
- The Mysterians - Moguera
- Varan the Unbelievable - Varan
- Mothra - Mothra Larva's head
- Gorath - Maguma
- King Kong vs. Godzilla - Godzilla
- Matango - One Matango
- Mothra vs. Godzilla - Godzilla
- Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster - Godzilla
- Frankenstein Conquers the World - Baragon
- Invasion of Astro-Monster - Godzilla
- War of the Gargantuas - Gaira
- Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster - Godzilla
- Son of Godzilla - Godzilla
- King Kong Escapes - King Kong
- Destroy All Monsters - Godzilla
- Latitude Zero - Man Bat, Giant Rat, Lion, and Black Moth
- All Monsters Attack - Godzilla
- Space Amoeba - Gezora and Ganimes
- Godzilla vs. Hedorah - Godzilla
- Godzilla vs. Gigan - Godzilla
Gallery
