Kenpachirō Satsuma
Biography
Kenpachirō Satsuma (薩摩剣八郎) was a Japanese male actor and stuntman born Yasuaki Maeda on 27 May 1947 in Kagoshima, Japan. He began his career using the stage names Ryoma Kusaka (久坂龍馬) and Kengo Nakayama (中山剣吾) before adopting the name Kenpachirō Satsuma in 1984. Satsuma is best known for portraying the titular monster Godzilla in a series of films, starting with Godzilla vs. Hedorah in 1971 and concluding with Godzilla vs. Destoroyah in 1995. Over his career he accumulated thirty‑three credited appearances. He died on 16 December 2023 at the age of 76.
Career overview
Kenpachirō Satsuma, born Yasuaki Maeda on 27 May 1947 in Kagoshima, Japan, was a male actor and stunt performer whose career spanned several decades of Japanese cinema. Early in his professional life he worked under the stage names Ryoma Kusaka and Kengo Nakayama before adopting the name Kenpachirō Satsuma in 1984. He is most widely recognized for embodying the iconic monster Godzilla, appearing in a series of films that began with Godzilla vs. Hedorah in 1971 and concluded with Godzilla vs. Destoroyah in 1995. His work on the Godzilla franchise established him as a prominent figure in suit acting and practical‑effects performance.
Throughout his career Satsuma accumulated thirty‑three credited appearances, as recorded by major film databases. His contributions were limited to acting and stunt work, with no additional roles documented in the available sources. Kenpachirō Satsuma passed away on 16 December 2023 at the age of 76. His legacy endures through the many films in which his physical performance brought one of cinema’s most enduring monsters to life.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
34 titles- The Dawn of Kaiju Eiga (2019) as Self - Suit Actor
- Den Ace 60 (2018)
- Making of Godzilla vs. Mothra (2010) as Himself
- Bringing Godzilla Down to Size: The Art of Japanese Special Effects (2008) as Himself
- The Spirit of Godzilla (2004)
- Mariko Kawana: The Sweet Water of the Cherry-Blossom Shell (2002) as Doctor
- Blind Beast vs Killer Dwarf (2001)
- The Perverted Female President: The Widow's Sexual Desire (2000) as Mutsugoro
- New Office Lady: Boss's Prank (1999) as Police officer
- Japanese Hell (1999) as Ao oni (Blue Ogre)
- MILF Hunting in the Sea of Trees (1998) as Detective
- Godzilla, King of the Monsters (1998)
- Onsen Geisha Since Birth (1997) as Company president
- Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995) as Godzilla
- Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994) as Godzilla
- Orochi, the Eight-Headed Dragon (1994)
- Monster Planet of Godzilla (1994) as Godzilla
- Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993) as Gojira
- Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992) as Gojira
- Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991) as Godzilla
- Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989) as Gojira
- Pulgasari (1986) as Pulgasari
- Hong Kil-dong (1986)
- Godzilla 1985 (1985) as Godzilla (uncredited)
- The Return of Godzilla (1984) as Godzilla
- Station (1981)
- The Imperial Navy (1981)
- G.I. Samurai (1979) as Koizumi's Retainer
- Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973) as Gigan
- Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972) as Gigan (as Kengo Nakayama)
- Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972) Stunts
- Thunder Mask (1972) as Thunder Mask (suit)
- Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971) as Hedorah (as Kengo Nakayama)
- Life Begins at 61 (1941) Screenplay
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Kenpachirō Satsuma best known for?
Kenpachirō Satsuma is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995), Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994), Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993), Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992).
When and where was Kenpachirō Satsuma born?
Kenpachirō Satsuma was born on May 27, 1947 in Kagoshima, Japan. They passed away on December 16, 2023.
How many credits does Kenpachirō Satsuma have?
Kenpachirō Satsuma has accumulated over 34 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1941 to 2019.
What is Kenpachirō Satsuma's background in cinema and television?
Kenpachirō Satsuma (薩摩剣八郎) was a Japanese male actor and stuntman born Yasuaki Maeda on 27 May 1947 in Kagoshima, Japan. He began his career using the stage names Ryoma Kusaka (久坂龍馬) and Kengo Nakayama (中山剣吾) before adopting the name Kenpachirō Satsuma in 1984. Satsuma is best known for portraying the titular monster G...
Kenpachirō Satsuma by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995) as Godzilla — aged about 48
- Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989) as Gojira — aged about 42
- Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993) as Gojira — aged about 46
- The Return of Godzilla (1984) as Godzilla — aged about 37
- Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991) as Godzilla — aged about 44
- Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992) as Gojira — aged about 45
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