First Godzilla actor Haruo Nakajima departs this life

Japanese actor Haruo Nakajima–most popular for playing Godzilla in twelve films from 1954 to 1972–has died at the age of 88.

A Tuesday media report said the man donning the Godzilla costume for every 'Godzilla' film from the original to 1972’s ‘Godzilla vs. Gigan' passed away after being hospitalised last month.

He took the ‘Godzilla’ role with 1954’s 'Godzilla, King of the Monsters', directed by Ishiro Honda.

He also had a role in Akira Kurosawa's highly influential ‘Seven Samurai’ in 1954.

"My biggest influence came from bears, the way bears move is very interesting," said Nakajima in a 2008 documentary about playing the monster.

AG/AG