Yoko Shimada
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- May 17, 1953 in Kumamoto, Japan
- Died
- July 25, 2022
- Active Years
- 1969–2016 (48 Years)
- Total Credits
- 47 credits in database
Biography
Yoko Shimada was a Japanese actress born in Kumamoto, Japan, on May 17, 1953. She died on July 25, 2022, at the age of 69. Shimada is best known in the West for her role as Mariko in the 1980 miniseries Shogun. Her portrayal of the lady-in-waiting created an interest in Japanese culture and history for foreign audiences. For her work in Shogun, she won a Golden Globe Award in 1980 for Best Performance by an Actress in a TV-Series - Drama. She was also nominated for a Prime-time Emmy Award for her work on the serial in 1981. Shimada had been acting for years prior to her role in Shogun.
Career overview
Yoko Shimada was a Japanese actress born in Kumamoto, Japan, on May 17, 1953. She is best known to Western audiences for her portrayal of the character Mariko in the 1980 miniseries Shogun. Her performance as the lady-in-waiting is credited with creating interest in Japanese culture overseas and introducing Japanese history to foreign audiences. As part of the production, Shimada was the only female member of the Japanese cast shown speaking English, a task for which she utilized a dialogue coach.
For her work in the miniseries, Shimada received a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a TV-Series - Drama. She also received a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award in 1981. Throughout her career, Shimada maintained a significant body of work, with 47 known acting credits recorded. She passed away on July 25, 2022, at the age of 69.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
47 titles- Kanon (2016) as Sumiko
- God in Jail (2016)
- The Faithless Love (2011) as Self
- Mikkai (2011) as Self
- I Want to Meet Yoko Shimada (2010)
- Dear Heart (2009)
- The Deep Red (2005) as Dr. Tanaka
- Black Corridor (2004)
- The Making of Shōgun (2003)
- Undiscovered Tomb (2003) as Ivy
- The Sino-Dutch War 1661 (2001) as Matsu Tagawa
- Sister Yakuza, Bodhisattva Ryuko (2000)
- Crying Freeman (1995) as Lady Hanada
- The Hunted (1995) as Mieko
- Gotoshi Co. Ltd. Special Police Department Crime Prevention Division No. 5104 Case (1995)
- Ring! Ring! Ring! The Champion Belt of Tears (1993)
- Sunflower on the Hill (1993) as Yabe Fumi
- Dohten (1991)
- Kazu no Fūkei (1991)
- Slow Down (1991)
- Minamoto Yoshitsune (1990) as Kaneuri Kichiji
- Sea of Whitetail (1990)
- 津軽・青森ロマンチック殺人街道 (1989) as Kyoko
- 氷点 (1989)
- Labyrinth Romanesque (1988) as Tae Akimoto
- The Man Who Assassinated Ryoma (1987)
- Tuesday Suspense Theater (1981)
- My Champion (1981) as Miki
- Shōgun (1980) as Lady Toda Buntaro - Mariko
- Shogun (1980) as Lady Toda Buntaro - Mariko
- Dead Angle (1979)
- Dog of Fortune (1979) as Reiko Kitamori
- Lupin the Thief: Enigma of the 813 (1979) as Mrs. Kesselbach
- Ōgon no Hibi (1978) as Hosokawa Gracia
- Fushoku no kōzō (1977) as Majima Kumiko
- The Inugami Family (1976) as Tamayo Nonomiya
- Truckster Goes to Hokkaido (1976)
- I Am a Cat (1975) as Yukie
- Visitor After Dark (1975) as Etsuko / Noriko
- Kyukei no Koya (1975)
- The Castle of Sand (1974) as Reiko Takagi
- Nagare no Fu Part I: Disturbance, Part II: Dawn (1974)
- First Love (1972)
- Go Go Kamen Rider (1971) as Hiromi Nohara
- Brothers Serving Time (1969)
- River Without a Bridge (1969)
- Bridge
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Yoko Shimada best known for?
Yoko Shimada is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Crying Freeman (1995), The Hunted (1995), Labyrinth Romanesque (1988), Shōgun (1980).
When and where was Yoko Shimada born?
Yoko Shimada was born on May 17, 1953 in Kumamoto, Japan. They passed away on July 25, 2022.
How many credits does Yoko Shimada have?
Yoko Shimada has accumulated over 47 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1969 to 2016.
What is Yoko Shimada's background in cinema and television?
Yoko Shimada was a Japanese actress born in Kumamoto, Japan, on May 17, 1953. She died on July 25, 2022, at the age of 69. Shimada is best known in the West for her role as Mariko in the 1980 miniseries Shogun. Her portrayal of the lady-in-waiting created an interest in Japanese culture and history for foreign audience...
Yoko Shimada by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Shōgun (1980) as Lady Toda Buntaro - Mariko — aged about 27
- The Castle of Sand (1974) as Reiko Takagi — aged about 21
- The Inugami Family (1976) as Tamayo Nonomiya — aged about 23
- Crying Freeman (1995) as Lady Hanada — aged about 42
- Go Go Kamen Rider (1971) as Hiromi Nohara — aged about 18
- The Hunted (1995) as Mieko — aged about 42
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