Toshirō Mifune
Biography
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.
Known For
All Movies (167)
- Mifune: The Last Samurai2016 · as Self - Actor / Various Roles (archive footage)
- Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen2012 · as (archive footage)
- Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'The Hidden Fortress'2002 · as Self
- Picture Bride1995 · as The Benshi
- Deep River1995 · as Tsukada
- Shadow of the Wolf1992 · as Kroomak
- Journey of Honor1991 · as Ieyasu Tokugawa
- Strawberry Road1991 · as Taoka
- Heaven and Earth: Dawn Episode1990 · as Nagao Tamekage
- Death of a Tea Master1989 · as Rikyu Sen-no
- cf Girl1989 · as Shūichirō Hase
- The Demon Comes in Spring1989 · as Kukkune no jî
- Princess from the Moon1987 · as Taketori-no-Miyatsuko
- The Retired Samurai1987 · as Hikozaemon Ōkubo
- Tora-san Goes North1987 · as Junkichi Ueno
- The Shatterer1987 · as Murai
- The Ballad of the Sea of Genkai1986 · as Kyūbei Matsufuji
- No More God, No More Love1985 · as Kōzō Kanzaki
- The Miracle of Joe, the Petrel1984 · as Fisherman
- Okita Soji: Swordsman of Fire1984 · as Shūsai Kondō
- Secret of the Forbidden Valley1983
- The Women of Osaka Castle1983 · as Tokugawa Ieyasu
- Lowly Ronin 6: Betrayal at Yatate Pass1983 · as Sûrônin Hinoki Sajûrô
- Battle Anthem1983 · as Admiral Heihachiro Togo
- Lowly Ronin 5: The Teenage Orphan Girl1983 · as Sûrônin Rakuyôjûrô
- Lowly Ronin 4: Living Hell1983 · as Sanjuro Hinoki
- Theater Of Life1983 · as Hyōtarō Aonari
- Lowly Ronin 2: The Spray of Blood1982 · as Sanjuro Hinoki
- Domineering1982 · as Masao Tadokoro
- The Challenge1982 · as Toru Yoshida
- The Lowly Ronin 3: Duel at Dawn1982
- Ten Duels of Young Shingo: Chapter 21982 · as Tamon Umei
- Lowly Ronin1981 · as Sanjuro Hinoki
- The Bushido Blade1981 · as Shogun's Commander
- Ten Duels of Young Shingo: Chapter 11981 · as Tamon Umei
- Inchon1981 · as Saito-San
- Shogun1980 · as Lord Yoshi Toranaga
- Port Arthur1980 · as Emperor Meiji
- 19411979 · as Cmdr. Akiro Mitamura
- Onmitsu Doshin: The Edo Secret Police1979 · as Sadanobu Matsudaira
- The Adventures of Kosuke Kindaichi1979 · as Kindaichi of 11th Generation in "The Woman in the Eye"
- Winter Kills1979 · as Keith
- Lord Mito1978 · as Sakuzaemon Okumura
- The Fall of Ako Castle1978 · as Tsuchiya Michinao
- Japanese Godfather: Conclusion1978 · as Kosuke Oishi
- Love and Faith1978 · as Taiko Hideyoshi
- Shag1978 · as Captain Takeo Murata
- Shogun's Samurai1978 · as Yoshinao Tokugawa
- Japanese Godfather: Ambition1977 · as Kosuke Oishi
- Proof of the Man1977 · as Yohei Kori
- Midway1976 · as Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
- Paper Tiger1975 · as Ambassador Kagoyama
- Red Sun1971 · as Kuroda Jubei
- The Militarists1970 · as Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto
- The Walking Major1970 · as Kinugasa Tadao
- Incident at Blood Pass1970 · as Yojimbo
- The Ambitious1970 · as Shojiro Goto
- Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo1970 · as Yojimbo/Sasa
- Shinsengumi: Assassins of Honor1969 · as Isami Kondo
- Red Lion1969 · as Gonzo
- Battle of the Japan Sea1969 · as Admiral Heihachiro Togo
- Safari 50001969 · as Yūichirō Takase
- Samurai Banners1969 · as Kansuke Yamamoto
- Hell in the Pacific1968 · as Captain Tsuruhiko Kuroda
- The Day the Sun Rose1968 · as Kumaza
- Admiral Yamamoto1968 · as Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
- The Sands of Kurobe1968 · as Kitagawa
- Japan's Longest Day1967 · as War Minister General Korechika Anami
- Samurai Rebellion1967 · as Isaburo Sasahara
- Grand Prix1966 · as Izō Yamura
- Grand Prix: Challenge of the Champions1966 · as Self
- The Mad Atlantic1966 · as Heihachirô Murakami
- Adventure in Kigan Castle1966 · as Osami
- The Sword of Doom1966 · as Toranosuke Shimada
- Rise Against the Sword1966 · as Abare Gōemon
- Fort Graveyard1965 · as Sergeant Kosugi
- The Retreat from Kiska1965 · as Omura
- Sanshiro Sugata1965 · as Shogoro Yano
- Red Beard1965 · as Dr. Kyojio Niide ("Red Beard")
- Samurai Assassin1965 · as Tsuruchiyo Niiro
- Whirlwind1964 · as Lord Akashi
- Samurai Pirate1963 · as Sukezaemon Naya, aka 'Luzon' [Sinbad, in US version]
- Legacy of the 500,0001963 · as Takeichi Matsuo
- High and Low1963 · as Kingo Gondo
- Attack Squadron1963 · as Lt. Colonel Senda
- Chûshingura1962 · as Genba Tawaraboshi
- Three Gentlemen Return from Hong Kong1962 · as Zhang Zhizhang
- Tatsu1962 · as Tatsu
- Sanjuro1962 · as Sanjûrô Tsubaki / The ronin
- The Important Man1961 · as Ánimas Trujano
- The Youth and His Amulet1961 · as Fudo-Myo (Immovable Bright King)
- Yojimbo1961 · as Sanjuro Kuwabatake / The Samurai
- The Masterless 47 – Part II1961
- Daredevil in the Castle1961 · as Mohei
- The Masterless 471960 · as Kazuo Momoi
- The Bad Sleep Well1960 · as Kôichi Nishi
- Man Against Man1960 · as Kaji
- The Storm of the Pacific1960 · as Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi
- The Gambling Samurai1960 · as Kunisada Chuji
- The Last Gunfight1960 · as Detective Saburo Fujioka
- The Three Treasures1959 · as Prince Yamato Takeru
- Desperado Outpost1959 · as Battalion Commander
- Saga of the Vagabonds1959 · as Rokuro Kai
- Samurai Saga1959 · as Heihachiro Komaki
- The Big Boss1959 · as Kashimura
- The Hidden Fortress1958 · as General Rokurota Makabe
- Theater of Life1958
- All About Marriage1958 · as Acting teacher
- Yaji and Kita on the Road1958 · as Toshinoshin Taya
- The Rickshaw Man1958 · as Matsugorō Tomishima
- Holiday in Tokyo1958 · as Tenkai's nephew Jirō
- Yagyu Secret Scrolls: Ninjitsu - Part II1958 · as Tasaburo
- Down Town1957 · as Yoshio Tsuruishi
- The Lower Depths1957 · as Sutekichi the Thief
- A Dangerous Hero1957 · as Kawada
- Yagyu Secret Scrolls1957 · as Tasaburō Kasumi
- Good Luck to These Two1957 · as Toshio Maruyama
- A Man in the Storm1957 · as Saburō Watari
- Throne of Blood1957 · as Taketoki Washizu
- Rebels on the High Sea1956 · as Matsuo Tokuzō
- Scoundrel1956 · as Kanji
- A Wife's Heart1956 · as Kenkichi
- Settlement of Love1956 · as Shuntarō Ōhira
- The Underworld1956 · as Chief Inspector Kumada
- Rainy Night Duel1956 · as Masahiko Koseki
- Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island1956 · as Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo
- I Live in Fear1955 · as Kiichi Nakajima
- Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple1955 · as Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo
- No Time for Tears1955 · as Mitsuo Yano
- All is Well 21955 · as Daikichi Risshun
- All is Well1955 · as Daikichi Risshun
- A Man Among Men1955 · as "Buick" Maki
- The Black Fury1954 · as Eiichi Tsuda
- The Surf1954 · as Skipper of the Utashima-maru
- Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto1954 · as Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo
- Seven Samurai1954 · as Kikuchiyo
- The Eagle of the Pacific1953 · as 1st Lieutenant Tomonaga
- Sunflower Girl1953 · as Ippei Hitachi
- The Last Embrace1953 · as Shinkichi / Hayakawa
- My Wonderful Yellow Car1953 · as Matsumura
- The Man Who Came to Port1952 · as Gorō Niinuma
- Swift Current1952 · as Shunsuke Kosugi
- Tokyo Sweetheart1952 · as Kurokawa
- Sword for Hire1952 · as Sasa Hayatenosuke
- Kin no tamago: Golden Girl1952
- The Life of Oharu1952 · as Katsunosuke
- Foghorn1952 · as Chiyokichi
- Vendetta of a Samurai1952 · as Mataemon Araki
- Who Knows a Woman's Heart1951 · as Mizuno
- The Life of a Horse Trader1951 · as Yonetaro Katayama
- Sasaki Kojiro1951 · as Miyamoto Musashi
- Meeting of the Ghost of Apres-Guerre1951 · as Kenji Kawakami
- Pirates1951 · as Tora
- The Idiot1951 · as Denkichi Akama
- Elegy1951 · as Prosecutor Daisuke Toki
- Beyond Love and Hate1951 · as Gorō Sakata
- Rashomon1950 · as Tajômaru
- Wedding Ring1950 · as Takeshi Ema
- Scandal1950 · as Ichirô Aoye
- Conduct Report on Professor Ishinaka1950 · as Teisaku Nagasawa
- Escape from Prison1950 · as Shinkichi
- Stray Dog1949 · as Det. Murakami
- Jakoman and Tetsu1949 · as Tetsu
- The Quiet Duel1949 · as Dr. Kyoji Fujisaki
- Drunken Angel1948 · as Matsunaga
- These Foolish Times1947 · as Genzaburo Onō, Gang Boss
- Snow Trail1947 · as Eijima
All TV Shows (11)
- Burning Mountain River1984 · as Otsuichi Amo
- The Brave Man Says Little1983
- Tuesday Suspense Theater1981
- Sekigahara1981 · as Sakon Shima
- Shōgun1980 · as Lord Yoshi Toranaga
- The 47 Ronins of Ako1979 · as Tachibana Sakon
- Falcons of Edo1978 · as Kanbei Uchiyama
- Ronin in a Lawless Town1976 · as Mr. Danna
- Ronin of the Wastelands1972 · as Kujuro Toge
- V.I.P. Schaukel1971 · as Self
- Epic Chushingura1971 · as Oishi Kuranosuke







