Before CGI came along and allowed for Godzilla to be brought to the screen in recent films like Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla and Toho’s Shin Godzilla, actors in costumes were tasked with bringing the massive monster to life. And nobody is more synonymous with the iconic character than Haruo Nakajima, an icon in his own right.

Today we’re very sad to report that Nakajima has passed away at 88.

The Japanese actor played Godzilla for 12 consecutive films, beginning with the original Godzilla in 1954. He subsequently played the character in Godzilla Raids Again, King Kong vs. Godzilla, Mothra vs. Godzilla, Ghidorah: the Three-Headed Monster, Invasion of the Astro-Monster, Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster, Son of Godzilla, Destroy All Monsters, All Monsters Attack, Godzilla vs. Hedorah and Godzilla vs. Gigan.

The legendary Haruo Nakajima also played monsters in Mothra, Frankenstein vs. Baragon, The War of the Gargantuas and King Kong Escapes.

Nakajima retired from suit acting in 1972.