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.
Filmography
Character: General Rokurota Makabe
Character: Taketori Washizu
Character: Kiichi Nakajima
Character: Cmdr. Akiro Mitamura
Character: Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo
Character: Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo
Character: Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo
Character: Sanjûrô Tsubaki / The ronin
Character: Captain Tsuruhiko Kuroda
Character: Sanjuro Kuwabatake / The Samurai
Character: Denkichi Akama
Character: Sutekichi the Thief
Character: Isaburo Sasahara
Character: Dr. Kyoji Fujisaki
Character: Genba Tawaraboshi
Character: War Minister General Korechika Anami
Character: Sukezaemon Naya, aka 'Luzon' [Sinbad, in US version]
Character: Kansuke Yamamoto
Character: Toranosuke Shimada
Character: Tsuchiya Michinao
Character: Lt. Colonel Senda
Character: Taketori-no-Miyatsuko
Character: Tsuruchiyo Niiro
Character: Mataemon Araki
Character: Ambassador Kagoyama
Character: Battalion Commander
Character: Admiral Heihachiro Togo
Character: Ánimas Trujano
Character: Shogun's Commander
Character: Sergeant Kosugi
Character: Detective Saburo Fujioka
Character: Heihachiro Komaki
Character: Sanjuro Hinoki
Character: Sanjuro Hinoki
Character: Prince Yamato Takeru
Character: Sûrônin Rakuyôjûrô
Character: Miyamoto Musashi
Character: Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
Character: Dr. Kyojio Niide ("Red Beard")
Character: Teisaku Nagasawa
Character: Taiko Hideyoshi
Character: Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
Character: Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi
Character: Sanjuro Hinoki
Character: 1st Lieutenant Tomonaga
Character: Admiral Heihachiro Togo
Character: Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto
Character: Kunisada Chuji
Character: Masao Tadokoro
Character: Self - Actor / Various Roles (archive footage)
Character: Yonetaro Katayama
Character: Sasa Hayatenosuke
Character: Self (archive footage)
Character: Fudo-Myo (Immovable Bright King)
Character: Sakuzaemon Okumura
Character: Takeichi Matsuo
Character: Kindaichi of 11th Generation in "The Woman in the Eye"
Character: Sûrônin Hinoki Sajûrô
Character: Toshio Maruyama
Character: Genzaburo Ohno, Gang Boss
Character: Self (archive footage)
Character: Kinugasa Tadao
Character: Self (archive footage)
Character: Kenji Kawakami
Character: Skipper of the Utashima-maru
Character: Masahiko Koseki
Character: Toshinoshin Taya
Character: Acting teacher
Character: Heihachirô Murakami
Character: Shuntaro Ohira
Character: Taichi Daikichi
Character: Taichi Daikichi
Character: Zhang Zhizhang