Toshirō Mifune

Toshirō Mifune

Known for Acting · 178 credits

Born
1920-04-01
Died
1997-12-24
Place of birth
Qingdao, China
Also known as
Toshiroh Mifune · Mifune Toshirō

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

TV Shows (11)

Movies (167)

Seven Samurai
Movie

Seven Samurai

1954

as Kikuchiyo

High and Low
Movie

High and Low

1963

as Kingo Gondo

Midway
Movie

Midway

1976

as Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto

Rashomon
Movie

Rashomon

1950

as Tajômaru

Throne of Blood
Movie

Throne of Blood

1957

as Taketoki Washizu

1941
Movie

1941

1979

as Cmdr. Akiro Mitamura

Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen
Movie

Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen

2012

as (archive footage)

Red Sun
Movie

Red Sun

1971

as Kuroda Jubei

Red Beard
Movie

Red Beard

1965

as Dr. Kyojio Niide ("Red Beard")

Yojimbo
Movie

Yojimbo

1961

as Sanjuro Kuwabatake / The Samurai

The Idiot
Movie

The Idiot

1951

as Denkichi Akama

Sanjuro
Movie

Sanjuro

1962

as Sanjûrô Tsubaki / The ronin

The Hidden Fortress
Movie

The Hidden Fortress

1958

as General Rokurota Makabe

Grand Prix
Movie

Grand Prix

1966

as Izō Yamura

Port Arthur
Movie

Port Arthur

1980

as Emperor Meiji

The Bad Sleep Well
Movie

The Bad Sleep Well

1960

as Kôichi Nishi

Stray Dog
Movie

Stray Dog

1949

as Det. Murakami

Shogun's Samurai
Movie

Shogun's Samurai

1978

as Yoshinao Tokugawa

Shadow of the Wolf
Movie

Shadow of the Wolf

1992

as Kroomak

The Bushido Blade
Movie

The Bushido Blade

1981

as Shogun's Commander

Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto
Movie

Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto

1954

as Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo

Scandal
Movie

Scandal

1950

as Ichirô Aoye

Proof of the Man
Movie

Proof of the Man

1977

as Yohei Kori

Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island
Movie

Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island

1956

as Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo

The Gambling Samurai
Movie

The Gambling Samurai

1960

as Kunisada Chuji

Daredevil in the Castle
Movie

Daredevil in the Castle

1961

as Mohei

Japan's Longest Day
Movie

Japan's Longest Day

1967

as War Minister General Korechika Anami

The Lower Depths
Movie

The Lower Depths

1957

as Sutekichi the Thief

Samurai Assassin
Movie

Samurai Assassin

1965

as Tsuruchiyo Niiro

Legacy of the 500,000
Movie

Legacy of the 500,000

1963

as Takeichi Matsuo

Samurai Rebellion
Movie

Samurai Rebellion

1967

as Isaburo Sasahara

The Quiet Duel
Movie

The Quiet Duel

1949

as Dr. Kyoji Fujisaki

The Sword of Doom
Movie

The Sword of Doom

1966

as Toranosuke Shimada

Winter Kills
Movie

Winter Kills

1979

as Keith

The Challenge
Movie

The Challenge

1982

as Toru Yoshida

The Life of Oharu
Movie

The Life of Oharu

1952

as Katsunosuke

Inchon
Movie

Inchon

1981

as Saito-San

Admiral Yamamoto
Movie

Admiral Yamamoto

1968

as Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto

The Three Treasures
Movie

The Three Treasures

1959

as Prince Yamato Takeru

Hell in the Pacific
Movie

Hell in the Pacific

1968

as Captain Tsuruhiko Kuroda

Drunken Angel
Movie

Drunken Angel

1948

as Matsunaga

The Sands of Kurobe
Movie

The Sands of Kurobe

1968

as Kitagawa

Picture Bride
Movie

Picture Bride

1995

as The Benshi

Incident at Blood Pass
Movie

Incident at Blood Pass

1970

as Yojimbo

Princess from the Moon
Movie

Princess from the Moon

1987

as Taketori-no-Miyatsuko

The Day the Sun Rose
Movie

The Day the Sun Rose

1968

as Kumaza

Battle Anthem
Movie

Battle Anthem

1983

as Admiral Heihachiro Togo

Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple
Movie

Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple

1955

as Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo

Theater Of Life
Movie

Theater Of Life

1983

as Hyōtarō Aonari

Mifune: The Last Samurai
Movie

Mifune: The Last Samurai

2016

as Self - Actor / Various Roles (archive footage)

The Rickshaw Man
Movie

The Rickshaw Man

1958

as Matsugorō Tomishima

Rise Against the Sword
Movie

Rise Against the Sword

1966

as Abare Gōemon

Battle of the Japan Sea
Movie

Battle of the Japan Sea

1969

as Admiral Heihachiro Togo

Journey of Honor
Movie

Journey of Honor

1991

as Ieyasu Tokugawa

Chûshingura
Movie

Chûshingura

1962

as Genba Tawaraboshi

The Ambitious
Movie

The Ambitious

1970

as Shojiro Goto

I Live in Fear
Movie

I Live in Fear

1955

as Kiichi Nakajima

The Militarists
Movie

The Militarists

1970

as Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto

Lowly Ronin 4: Living Hell
Movie

Lowly Ronin 4: Living Hell

1983

as Sanjuro Hinoki

A Man in the Storm
Movie

A Man in the Storm

1957

as Saburō Watari

The Fall of Ako Castle
Movie

The Fall of Ako Castle

1978

as Tsuchiya Michinao

Sasaki Kojiro
Movie

Sasaki Kojiro

1951

as Miyamoto Musashi

Tora-san Goes North
Movie

Tora-san Goes North

1987

as Junkichi Ueno

Samurai Banners
Movie

Samurai Banners

1969

as Kansuke Yamamoto

Shinsengumi: Assassins of Honor
Movie

Shinsengumi: Assassins of Honor

1969

as Isami Kondo

Sanshiro Sugata
Movie

Sanshiro Sugata

1965

as Shogoro Yano

The Storm of the Pacific
Movie

The Storm of the Pacific

1960

as Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi

Safari 5000
Movie

Safari 5000

1969

as Yūichirō Takase

Yagyu Secret Scrolls: Ninjitsu - Part II
Movie

Yagyu Secret Scrolls: Ninjitsu - Part II

1958

as Tasaburo

Snow Trail
Movie

Snow Trail

1947

as Eijima

The Man Who Came to Port
Movie

The Man Who Came to Port

1952

as Gorō Niinuma

Samurai Pirate
Movie

Samurai Pirate

1963

as Sukezaemon Naya, aka 'Luzon' [Sinbad, in US version]

Japanese Godfather: Ambition
Movie

Japanese Godfather: Ambition

1977

as Kosuke Oishi

The Eagle of the Pacific
Movie

The Eagle of the Pacific

1953

as 1st Lieutenant Tomonaga

Grand Prix: Challenge of the Champions
Movie

Grand Prix: Challenge of the Champions

1966

as Self

The Important Man
Movie

The Important Man

1961

as Ánimas Trujano

The Retreat from Kiska
Movie

The Retreat from Kiska

1965

as Omura

Red Lion
Movie

Red Lion

1969

as Gonzo

Holiday in Tokyo
Movie

Holiday in Tokyo

1958

as Tenkai's nephew Jirō

Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo
Movie

Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo

1970

as Yojimbo/Sasa

All About Marriage
Movie

All About Marriage

1958

as Acting teacher

Lowly Ronin 5: The Teenage Orphan Girl
Movie

Lowly Ronin 5: The Teenage Orphan Girl

1983

as Sûrônin Rakuyôjûrô

Fort Graveyard
Movie

Fort Graveyard

1965

as Sergeant Kosugi

The Adventures of Kosuke Kindaichi
Movie

The Adventures of Kosuke Kindaichi

1979

as Kindaichi of 11th Generation in "The Woman in the Eye"

Attack Squadron
Movie

Attack Squadron

1963

as Lt. Colonel Senda

The Demon Comes in Spring
Movie

The Demon Comes in Spring

1989

as Kukkune no jî

Saga of the Vagabonds
Movie

Saga of the Vagabonds

1959

as Rokuro Kai

Japanese Godfather: Conclusion
Movie

Japanese Godfather: Conclusion

1978

as Kosuke Oishi

Desperado Outpost
Movie

Desperado Outpost

1959

as Battalion Commander

A Wife's Heart
Movie

A Wife's Heart

1956

as Kenkichi

Swift Current
Movie

Swift Current

1952

as Shunsuke Kosugi

Death of a Tea Master
Movie

Death of a Tea Master

1989

as Rikyu Sen-no

Lowly Ronin 2: The Spray of Blood
Movie

Lowly Ronin 2: The Spray of Blood

1982

as Sanjuro Hinoki

Strawberry Road
Movie

Strawberry Road

1991

as Taoka

Sword for Hire
Movie

Sword for Hire

1952

as Sasa Hayatenosuke

All is Well
Movie

All is Well

1955

as Daikichi Risshun

Pirates
Movie

Pirates

1951

as Tora

Tokyo Sweetheart
Movie

Tokyo Sweetheart

1952

as Kurokawa

Three Gentlemen Return from Hong Kong
Movie

Three Gentlemen Return from Hong Kong

1962

as Zhang Zhizhang

Domineering
Movie

Domineering

1982

as Masao Tadokoro

The Mad Atlantic
Movie

The Mad Atlantic

1966

as Heihachirô Murakami

Yagyu Secret Scrolls
Movie

Yagyu Secret Scrolls

1957

as Tasaburō Kasumi

The Masterless 47
Movie

The Masterless 47

1960

as Kazuo Momoi

Elegy
Movie

Elegy

1951

as Prosecutor Daisuke Toki

Paper Tiger
Movie

Paper Tiger

1975

as Ambassador Kagoyama

My Wonderful Yellow Car
Movie

My Wonderful Yellow Car

1953

as Matsumura

The Last Gunfight
Movie

The Last Gunfight

1960

as Detective Saburo Fujioka

Ten Duels of Young Shingo: Chapter 1
Movie

Ten Duels of Young Shingo: Chapter 1

1981

as Tamon Umei

Vendetta of a Samurai
Movie

Vendetta of a Samurai

1952

as Mataemon Araki

Rebels on the High Sea
Movie

Rebels on the High Sea

1956

as Matsuo Tokuzō

The Big Boss
Movie

The Big Boss

1959

as Kashimura

The Masterless 47 – Part II
Movie

The Masterless 47 – Part II

1961

Ten Duels of Young Shingo: Chapter 2
Movie

Ten Duels of Young Shingo: Chapter 2

1982

as Tamon Umei

Man Against Man
Movie

Man Against Man

1960

as Kaji

Deep River
Movie

Deep River

1995

as Tsukada

Sunflower Girl
Movie

Sunflower Girl

1953

as Ippei Hitachi

The Walking Major
Movie

The Walking Major

1970

as Kinugasa Tadao

The Surf
Movie

The Surf

1954

as Skipper of the Utashima-maru

The Life of a Horse Trader
Movie

The Life of a Horse Trader

1951

as Yonetaro Katayama

The Last Embrace
Movie

The Last Embrace

1953

as Shinkichi / Hayakawa

About 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 re… With 178 credits spanning from 1947 to 2016, Toshirō Mifune has appeared in 167 films and 11 TV shows.

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