The Man Who Would Be Godzilla, Haruo Nakajima 1929-2017

We as many others were saddened to learn that Haruo Nakajima has passed, the actor best known for his portrayal of Godzilla and well as a number of other Toho movie monsters was 88. Born in 1929 he had a vast acting career that not only included monster movies but many other films, but he wasn't simply an actor, he is also credited as doing stunts and as stunt choreographer on many films. He always was receptive to the fans and respected by all. Search his name on Facebook and you will see so many tributes to him both from fans and professionals. He is survived by his daughter Sonoe Nakajima. Below is info and filmography from Wikipedia, IMDB, and photos from varies sources.

Haruo Nakajima (中島 春雄 Nakajima Haruo) (born January 1, 1929) was a Japanese actor, best known for portraying Godzilla from the 1950s through the early 1970s. Haruo Nakajima was Godzilla for 12 movies straight.

Nakajima was born in Yamagata, Japan. He 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 (Japanese monsters) during his career as a suit actor. After 24 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).

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.

A few facts about Haruo Nakajima,
He was a black belt in martial arts.
Most famous for portraying "Gojira" in twelve films, more than any other actor.
Suffered numerous injuries playing Godzilla and other monsters, including burns, electric shocks, and near-suffocation.
Awarded the "Mangled Skyscraper Award" by the Godzilla Society of North America at the G-FEST XV convention in July 2008 in Chicago.

Films

• 1952 - Sword For Hire
• 1952 - The Woman Who Touched the Legs
• 1953 - Eagle of the Pacific
  
• 1954 - Farewell Rabaul
  
• 1954 - Seven Samurai
  
• 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 (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, 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)
  

TV

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