Toshirō Mifune
Toshirō Mifune (April 1, 1920 - December 24, 1997) was a Japanese actor who is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in the history of Japanese cinema. He was born in Qingdao, China, but was raised in Japan. Mifune's career spanned over 50 years, during which he collaborated extensively with renowned director Akira Kurosawa, creating some of the most iconic films in Japanese cinema.
Mifune gained international recognition for his performances in Kurosawa's films, particularly in samurai films. He portrayed strong, dynamic, and often rebellious characters, bringing a raw intensity to his roles. Some of his notable collaborations with Kurosawa include "Rashomon" (1950), "Seven Samurai" (1954), "Yojimbo" (1961), and "The Hidden Fortress" (1958), which inspired George Lucas's "Star Wars."
Apart from his work with Kurosawa, Mifune appeared in numerous other films, showcasing his versatility as an actor. He played roles in various genres, including dramas, comedies, and war films. Some of his other notable films include "The Throne of Blood" (1957), "High and Low" (1963), and "Red Beard" (1965).
Mifune's charismatic presence, powerful performances, and ability to convey complex emotions made him an iconic figure in Japanese cinema. He received international recognition and awards for his contributions to the film industry, including several honors at the Venice Film Festival and a lifetime achievement award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Acting
Movie
Seven Samurai
as Kikuchiyo
1954
Movie
Rashomon
as Tajômaru
1950
Movie
Yojimbo
as Sanjuro Kuwabatake / The Samurai
1961
Movie
High and Low
as Kingo Gondo
1963
Movie
Throne of Blood
as Taketoki Washizu
1957
Movie
Sanjuro
as Sanjûrô Tsubaki / The ronin
1962
Movie
The Hidden Fortress
as General Rokurota Makabe
1958
Movie
1941
as Cmdr. Akiro Mitamura
1979
Movie
Red Beard
as Dr. Kyojio Niide ("Red Beard")
1965
Movie
Stray Dog
as Det. Murakami
1949
Movie
Midway
as Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
1976
Movie
Drunken Angel
as Matsunaga
1948
Movie
Red Sun
as Kuroda Jubei
1971
Movie
The Bad Sleep Well
as Kôichi Nishi
1960
Movie
Samurai Rebellion
as Isaburo Sasahara
1967
Movie
The Sword of Doom
as Toranosuke Shimada
1966
TV
Shōgun
as Lord Yoshi Toranaga
1980
Movie
Grand Prix
as Izō Yamura
1966
Movie
Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto
as Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo
1954
Movie
The Life of Oharu
as Katsunosuke
1952
Movie
Hell in the Pacific
as Captain Tsuruhiko Kuroda
1968
Movie
Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple
as Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo
1955
Movie
Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island
as Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo
1956
Movie
The Lower Depths
as Sutekichi the Thief
1957
Crew
Movie
Samurai Rebellion
Producer
1967
Movie
Red Lion
Producer
1969
Movie
Samurai Banners
Producer
1969
Movie
Incident at Blood Pass
Producer
1970
Movie
Shinsengumi: Assassins of Honor
Producer
1969
Movie
Fort Graveyard
Associate Producer
1965
Movie
Adventure in Kigan Castle
Associate Producer
1966
Movie
Legacy of the 500,000
Director
1963
Movie
Onmitsu Doshin: The Edo Secret Police
Associate Producer
1979
Movie
Shag
Executive Producer
1978
Movie
The Mad Atlantic
Executive Producer
1966
Movie
Morning for Two
Producer
1971