Haruo Nakajima
Acting
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.
Born: January 1, 1929
Place of Birth: Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
Known For
Faces of Horror
Although marketed as a "Faces of Death" type of documentary video, this is actually a compilation of scenes--in no particular order--from three different public-domain pictures that were originally released by American-International Pictures from the 1960s and 1970s
Godzilla, King of the Monsters
Documentary focusing on the Japanese Godzilla, featuring interviews with such people as Director Jun Fukuda, the wide of the late Ishiro Honda and Alex Cox. This documentary incorporates footage from rare shows like "Ultra Q" and films like "King Kong Escapes".
The Dawn of Kaiju Eiga
Japan, 1954. A legend emerges from the ashes of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, devastated by atomic bombs in 1945. The creature's name is Godzilla. The film that tells its story is the first of kaiju eiga, the giant monster movies.
Bringing Godzilla Down to Size: The Art of Japanese Special Effects
A look at the unrecognized work of the talented artists and craftsmen who've maintained the tradition of Japanese special-effects. Highlighted is Yasuyuki Inoue along with various crew members who crafted meticulously detailed miniatures and risked life and limb as suit actors. All done to bring to life some of film's most iconic monsters through a distinct Japanese artform.
Submarine I-57 Will Not Surrender
In World War II, the commanding officer of a sub, against his will takes on board two Western diplomats, to take them to the Canaries and arrange an armistice. When they get there, peace has been declared, but the sub's crew don't know as their radio has failed. They send their passengers ashore and go out to face a final battle...
Godzilla, the Monster of the Pacific Ocean
Obscure French version of the original Godzilla. The film combines elements of the original Toho version and the American King of the Monsters! in a unique assemblage exclusive to the Francophone market. Released by Les Films du Verseau.
Seven Samurai
A samurai answers a village's request for protection after he falls on hard times. The town needs protection from bandits, so the samurai gathers six others to help him teach the people how to defend themselves, and the villagers provide the soldiers with food.
Farewell Rabaul
A squadron of Japanese fighter pilots realise that they are never going to win the war when they understand that Japanese military tactics have little regard for life. Seeking the companionship of any woman who will have them, they spend their days indulging in every fantasy in order to escape the overwhelming fear of death looming just over the horizon.
Ultraman
Hayata is a member of the Science Patrol, an organization tasked with investigating bizarre anomalies. He is mortally wounded when accidently encountering an alien being from Land of Light, who grants Hayata new life as the two are merged into one. Now, whenever a threat arises that is too great for the Science Patrol to handle, Hayata activates the beta capsule and becomes the hero known as Ultraman.
The Retreat from Kiska
In 1943, the Aleutian island of Kiska was fortified by a small contingent of Japanese soldiers. When word arrived of an impending attack by an overwhelming force of Americans, the Japanese Navy attempted one of the most daring and unlikely evacuations in military history. This is that story.
Filmography
as Self - Suit Actor
as Self - Actor
as Self
as Gezora - Kameba (archive)
as Original Godzilla (archive footage) (uncredited)
as Godzilla (uncredited)
as Prime Minister's Chauffeur
as Godzilla (archive footage) (uncredited)
as Godzilla / JSDF Officer / Background Comic Editor
as Godzilla
as Gezora / Ganimes
as Godzilla
as Griffon / Giant Rat / Bat Man
as Staff of Flying Dragon / Staff of Rabaul
as Godzilla / Military Advisor
as Godzilla (water scenes)
as U-Tom (Suit Actor)
as King Kong
as Godzilla / Infant Islander
as Wong Henchman
as Gaira
as Neronga
as Gomess (Suit Actor)
as Prefectural Police Captain
as Pagos (Suit Actor)
as Godzilla
as Detective (uncredited)
as Gegen's Henchman
as Baragon / JSDF Soldier
as Godzilla
as Coal plant witness
as Godzilla
as Shopkeeper
as Mu Empire man / Self Defense Forces exec
as Matango
as Godzilla (uncredited)
as Varan
as Godzilla
as Maguma
as Mothra
as Transitional Vapor Man (uncredited)
as Henchman (uncredited)
as Gigantis (uncredited)
as Soldier (uncredited)
as Varan
as Second Dissolved Sailor (uncredited)
as Giant Robot
as Godzilla
as Rodan / Meganulon (uncredited)
as Godzilla (uncredited)
as Rodan / Meganulon
as Godzilla (uncredited)
as (uncredited)
as Foundry employee (uncredited)
as Mountain searcher
as Godzilla
as Haruo Akita / Invisible Man Akita
as Godzilla
as Bandit
as Soldier (uncredited)
as Zero Fighter in Flames (uncredited)