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Toshirō Mifune

Acting Born Apr 1, 1920 Qingdao, China 24 credits

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.

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Known for

Film

Seven Samurai

as Kikuchiyo
Film

High and Low

as Kingo Gondo
Film

Rashomon

as Tajômaru
Film

Yojimbo

as Sanjuro Kuwabatake / The Samurai
Film

Red Beard

as Dr. Kyojio Niide ("Red Beard")
Film

The Hidden Fortress

as General Rokurota Makabe
Film

Throne of Blood

as Taketoki Washizu
Film

Sanjuro

as Sanjûrô Tsubaki / The ronin

Full filmography

  • Seven Samurai (1954) as Kikuchiyo
  • Shōgun (1980) as Lord Yoshi Toranaga
  • High and Low (1963) as Kingo Gondo
  • Rashomon (1950) as Tajômaru
  • The 47 Ronins of Ako (1979) as Tachibana Sakon
  • V.I.P. Schaukel (1971) as Self
  • Midway (1976) as Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
  • Yojimbo (1961) as Sanjuro Kuwabatake / The Samurai
  • Tuesday Suspense Theater (1981)
  • 1941 (1979) as Cmdr. Akiro Mitamura
  • Red Beard (1965) as Dr. Kyojio Niide ("Red Beard")
  • The Hidden Fortress (1958) as General Rokurota Makabe
  • Throne of Blood (1957) as Taketoki Washizu
  • Burning Mountain River (1984) as Otsuichi Amo
  • Red Sun (1971) as Kuroda Jubei
  • Sanjuro (1962) as Sanjûrô Tsubaki / The ronin
  • Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen (2012) as (archive footage)
  • Ronin of the Wastelands (1972) as Kujuro Toge
  • The Bad Sleep Well (1960) as Kôichi Nishi
  • Grand Prix (1966) as Izō Yamura
  • The Sword of Doom (1966) as Toranosuke Shimada
  • Falcons of Edo (1978) as Kanbei Uchiyama
  • Chûshingura (1962) as Genba Tawaraboshi
  • Epic Chushingura (1971) as Oishi Kuranosuke