OG Godzilla Actor Haruo Nakajima Has Passed Away at 88

Haruo Nakajima, the Japanese actor who brought Godzilla to life, has died at the age of 88, Variety reports.

Born on New Year’s Day in 1929, Nakajima began his film career starring in several samurai and war movies, such as the Eagle of the Pacific, Farewell Rabaul, and Seven Samurai. He was best known, however, as the original suit actor for Japan’s most famous monster: Godzilla, which he portrayed in 12 films, starting with the original 1954 flick to 1972’s Godzilla vs. Gigan.

“They came to see me as someone who had guts, and I think that’s why they wanted me for the role of Godzilla,” he explained during a March interview with the Great Big Story.

Nakajima admitted he was initially confused by the monster, and was given very little direction on how to portray it. So, he decided to do his own research and began observing the movement of zoo animals. He also said the actual Godzilla costume was difficult to maneuver in, as a shortage of rubber forced costume designers to use concrete as the main material.

“It was so heavy and hot, and with the lighting, it was even hot to touch it,” he said. “I was sweating all over my face, but I did the best I could.”

Godzilla wasn’t the only iconic monster he portrayed. He also took on the role as Mothra in 1961 as King Kong in 1967’s King Kong escapes. Nakajima officially retired from suit acting in 1973, but continued to work for the Toho movie studio in the company’s bowling alley.

In 2010, his autobiography Monster Life was published in Japanese.