Shôichi Hirose

 is a Japanese film actor and stunt performer. He was born on July 23rd, 1918. In science fiction, Hirose is best known for his work in "suitmation" films of the daikaiju ("giant monster") genre of the Shōwa period. In addition to playing various henchmen and thugs, Shôichi also donned the puffy costume of everyone's favorite three-headed space dragon, King Ghidorah.