Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Born
January 1, 1929
Died
August 7, 2017 (age 88)
Place of Birth
Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
Also Known As
中岛春雄
Haruo Nakajima
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
TV
Ultraman
Neronga
1966
TV
Ultraseven
U-Tom (Suit Actor)
1967
Film
Seven Samurai
Bandit
1954
TV
Ultra Q
Gomess (Suit Actor)
1966
TV
Ultra Q
Prefectural Police Captain
1966
TV
Ultra Q
Pagos (Suit Actor)
1966
Film
Godzilla
Godzilla
1954
Film
Godzilla
Godzilla (uncredited)
1977
Film
Mothra vs. Godzilla
Godzilla
1964
Film
Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster
Godzilla
1964
Film
The Hidden Fortress
Soldier (uncredited)
1958
Film
The War of the Gargantuas
Gaira
1966
Film
Son of Godzilla
Godzilla (water scenes)
1967
Film
Rodan
Rodan / Meganulon
1956
Film
King Kong vs. Godzilla
Godzilla
1962
Film
Invasion of Astro-Monster
Godzilla
1965
Film
Destroy All Monsters
Godzilla / Military Advisor
1968
Film
Godzilla Raids Again
Godzilla
1955
Film
All Monsters Attack
Godzilla
1969
Film
Frankenstein Conquers the World
Baragon / JSDF Soldier
1965
Filmography
2019FilmThe Dawn of Kaiju Eigaas Self - Suit Actor2016FilmMifune: The Last Samuraias Self - Actor2012FilmMen in Suitsas Self2008FilmBringing Godzilla Down to Size: The Art of Japanese Special Effectsas Himself2004Filmスピリット オブ ゴジラ ～怪獣を演じた男たちの軌跡～1998FilmGodzilla, King of the Monsters1989FilmFaces of Horroras Gezora - Kameba (archive)1985FilmGodzilla 1985as Original Godzilla (archive footage) (uncredited)1977FilmBloodthirsty Hawkas Bloodthirsty Hawk (uncredited)1977FilmGodzillaas Godzilla (uncredited)1973FilmSubmersion of Japanas Prime Minister's Chauffeur1973FilmGodzilla vs. Megalonas Godzilla (archive footage) (uncredited)1972FilmGodzilla vs. Giganas Godzilla / JSDF Officer / Background Comic Editor1971FilmGodzilla vs. Hedorahas Godzilla1971FilmFirst-Decade President vs. Second-Decade Staff1970FilmIt's a Man's Way of Life1970FilmSpace Amoebaas Gezora / Ganimes1969FilmAll Monsters Attackas Godzilla1969FilmLatitude Zeroas Griffon / Giant Rat / Bat Man1969FilmBlack Comedy - Ah, Fool1968FilmAdmiral Yamamotoas Staff of Flying Dragon / Staff of Rabaul1968FilmDestroy All Monstersas Godzilla / Military Advisor1967FilmSon of Godzillaas Godzilla (water scenes)1967TVUltrasevenas U-Tom (Suit Actor)1967FilmKing Kong Escapesas King Kong1966FilmEbirah, Horror of the Deepas Godzilla / Infant Islander1966FilmWhat's Up, Tiger Lily?as Wong Henchman1966FilmThe War of the Gargantuasas Gaira1966TVUltramanas Neronga1966TVUltra Qas Gomess (Suit Actor)1965FilmInvasion of Astro-Monsteras Godzilla1965FilmIronfingeras Detective (uncredited)1965FilmKey of Keysas Gegen's Henchman1965FilmFrankenstein Conquers the Worldas Baragon / JSDF Soldier1965FilmThe Retreat from Kiska1965FilmThe School of Flesh1964FilmGhidorah, the Three-Headed Monsteras Godzilla1964FilmDogoraas Coal plant witness1964FilmLegend of the Irresponsible Hero1964FilmMothra vs. Godzillaas Godzilla1964FilmYearningas Shopkeeper1963FilmAtragonas Mu Empire man / Self Defense Forces exec1963FilmMatangoas Matango1963FilmJapan's No. 1 Playboy1963FilmKing Kong vs. Godzillaas Godzilla (uncredited)1962FilmVaran the Unbelievableas Varan1962FilmKing Kong vs. Godzillaas Godzilla1962FilmGorathas Maguma1961FilmMothraas Mothra1961FilmDaredevil in the Castle1961FilmBlueprint of Murder1960FilmThe Human Vaporas Transitional Vapor Man (uncredited)1960FilmThe Storm of the Pacific1960FilmThe Last Gunfightas Henchman (uncredited)1959FilmSaga of the Vagabonds1959FilmSubmarine I-57 Will Not Surrender1959FilmGigantis, the Fire Monsteras Gigantis (uncredited)1958FilmThe Hidden Fortressas Soldier (uncredited)1958FilmAdults Cannot Understand - Record of Youth1958FilmVaranas Varan1958FilmThe H-Manas Second Dissolved Sailor (uncredited)1957FilmThe Mysteriansas Giant Robot1957FilmTokyo 1960as Godzilla1957FilmRodan! The Flying Monsteras Rodan / Meganulon (uncredited)1957FilmHalf Human: The Story of the Abominable Snowman1957FilmGodzilla, the Monster of the Pacific Oceanas Godzilla (uncredited)1957FilmA Man in the Storm1956FilmRodanas Rodan / Meganulon1956FilmRebels on the High Sea1956FilmGodzilla, King of the Monsters!as Godzilla (uncredited)1956FilmSamurai III: Duel at Ganryu Islandas (uncredited)1955FilmI Live in Fearas Foundry employee (uncredited)1955FilmBeast Man Snow Manas Mountain searcher1955FilmGodzilla Raids Againas Godzilla1954FilmInvisible Manas Haruo Akita / Invisible Man Akita1954FilmGodzillaas Godzilla1954FilmSeven Samuraias Bandit1954FilmFarewell Rabaulas Soldier (uncredited)1953FilmThe Eagle of the Pacificas Zero Fighter in Flames (uncredited)1953FilmMr. Pu1952FilmSword for Hire