Nakajima was born in Yamagata, Japan. His first credited role in a motion picture was in the 1952 film Sword for Hire.[1] He began his career as a stunt actor in samurai films and he acted in a small role in the 1954 film Seven Samurai, portraying a bandit.[1][2][3]
He was considered by many to be the best suit actor in the long history of the Godzilla franchise.[4] At the time, Toho's visual effects director, Eiji Tsuburaya considered him completely invaluable,[4] 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 reportedly transferred to a job at its bowling alley, located on the now defunct studio lot.[5][6][7]
Beginning in the late 1990s, Nakajima made a series of personal appearances at various Japanese monster-themed conventions. He appeared at the Monsterpalooza convention in Burbank, California in April 2011.[8] 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), was released in 2010.[9][10]
1952 Sword for Hire First credited role in a film.[1]
1953 Eagle of the Pacific Acting role.[10]
1954 Seven Samurai Portrayed a bandit.[2]
1954 Godzilla Portrayed Godzilla.[10]
1954 The Invisible Avenger Acting role.[13]
1955 Godzilla Raids Again Portrayed Godzilla.[12]
1956 Rodan Portrayed Rodan.[13][14]
1957 The Mysterians Portrayed Moguera.[13]
1958 The H-Man Portrayed a sailor.[14]
1958 Varan the Unbelievable Portrayed Varan.[13]
1958 The Hidden Fortress Acting role.[13]
1960 The Human Vapor Acting role.[13]
1961 The Story of Osaka Castle Acting role.[3]
1961 MothraPortrayed the larval form of Mothra. [14][15]
1962 King Kong vs. Godzilla Portrayed Godzilla.[12]
1964 Mothra vs. Godzilla Portrayed Godzilla.[12]
1964 Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster Portrayed Godzilla.[12]
1965 Frankenstein Conquers the World Portrayed Baragon.[13][14]
1965 Invasion of Astro-Monster Portrayed Godzilla.[12]
1966 The War of the Gargantuas Portrayed Gaira.[13][14]
1966 Ebirah, Horror of the Deep Portrayed Godzilla.[12]
1967 King Kong Escapes Portrayed King Kong.[15]
1967 Son of Godzilla Portrayed Godzilla.[12]
1968 Destroy All Monsters Portrayed Godzilla and Baragon.[12]
1969 Latitude Zero. Acting role.[13]
1969 All Monsters Attack Portrayed Godzilla.[12]
1970 Space Amoeba Portrayed various monster roles.[13]
1971 Godzilla vs. Hedorah Portrayed Godzilla.[12]
1972 Godzilla vs. Gigan Portrayed Godzilla.[12]
1973 Tidal Wave Portrayed a chauffeur.[16]
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