Remembering Haruo Nakajima Three Years Later

Above, Haruo Nakajima poses with the Godzilla suit during filming of Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster. Toho Pictures photo.

Have you ever noticed that after someone dies, be it a friend, family member or just and acquaintance, time seems to accelerate? It doesn't really, but it seems that it does.

Incredibly as it seems, today marks three years since the passing of Haruo Nakajima, the Godzilla suit actor from the original 1954 movie to Godzilla vs. Gigan, at age 88.

Above, Richard Pusateri, Haruo Nakajima and Armand Vaquer at the 2001
Tokyo International Film Festival. Photo courtesy of Richard Pusateri.

I first met Mr. Nakajima back in 2000 at G-FEST 2000 in Hollywood. I next saw him at the premiere of Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack at the 2001 Tokyo International Film Festival.

Above, Armand Vaquer and Haruo Nakajima at the 2013 Mad Monster Party. Photo by Jeff Blanken.

Mr. Nakajima passed away from complications of pneumonia in Japan on August 7, 2017. His daughter, Sonoe, was honored last year at G-FEST for her devoted assistance to her father during his many convention appearances over the years.

If you can spare a moment, it would be a nice gesture to raise a glass in a toast to honor Haruo Nakajima.