Toshirô Mifune
Birthdate: Apr 1, 1920
Birthplace: Tsingtao, China [now Qingdao, Shandong, China]
Died: Dec 24, 1997
Toshiro Mifune achieved more worldwide fame than any other Japanese actor of his century. He was born in Tsingtao, China, to Japanese parents and grew up in Dalian. He did not set foot in Japan until he was 21. His father was an importer and a commercial photographer, and young Toshiro worked in his father's studio for a time after graduating from Dalian Middle School. He was automatically drafted into the Japanese army when he turned 20, and enlisted in the Air Force where he was attached to the Aerial Photography Unit for the duration of the World War II. In 1947 he took a test for Kajirô Yamamoto, who recommended him to director Senkichi Taniguchi, thus leading to Mifune's first film role in These Foolish Times II (1947). Mifune then met and bonded with director Akira Kurosawa, and the two joined to become the most prominent actor-director pairing in all Japanese cinema. Beginning with Drunken Angel (1948), Mifune appeared in 16 of Kurosawa's films, most of which have become world-renowned classics. In Kurosawa's pictures, especially Rashomon (1950), Mifune would become the most famous Japanese actor in the world. A dynamic and ferocious actor, he excelled in action roles, but also had the depth to plumb intricate and subtle dramatic parts. A personal rift during the filming of Red Beard (1965) ended the Mifune-Kurosawa collaboration, but Mifune continued to perform leading roles in major films both in Japan and in foreign countries. He was twice named Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival (for Yojimbo (1961) and Red Beard (1965)). In 1963 he formed his own production company, directing one film and producing several others. In his later years he gained new fame in the title role of the American TV miniseries Shogun (1980), and appeared infrequently in cameo roles after that. His last years were plagued with Alzheimer's Syndrome and he died of organ failure in 1997, a few months before the death of the director with whose name he will forever be linked, Akira Kurosawa.
Known For
Toshirô Mifune Movies
actor
Previous (137)
- 2019 |
- 2017 |
The Challenge
asYoshida
Focused on the world of wealthy Qatari sheikhs with a passion for amateur falconry, 'The Challenge' combines cinematic beauty with rare access and trailblazing form. Here, the opulence of Qatar is on full display, as the men race SUVs up and down sand dunes, fly their prized falc... Read all
- 2015 | Mifune: The Last Samurai
- 2016 |
Mifune: The Last Samurai
A feature-length documentary about the life and films of legendary actor Toshiro Mifune, weaving together film clips, archival stills, and interviews with such luminaries as Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese. Narrated by Keanu Reeves.
- 1995 | Deep Riveras Tsukada
- 1994 | Picture Brideas The Benshi
- 1992 | Shadow of the Wolfas Kroomak
- 1991 | Strawberry Roadas Taoka
- 1989 | CF Girlas Shuichiro
- 1989 | Death of a Tea Masteras Rikyu Sen-no
- 1989 | The Demon Comes in Spring
- 1987 | Princess from the Moonas Taketori-no-Miyatsuko
- 1987 | Sicilian Connectionas Murai
- 1986 | The Ballad of the Sea of Genkai
- 1985 | Seijo densetsuas Kozo Kanzaki
- 1984 | The Miracle of Umitsubame Joeas Fisherman
- 1983 | Battle Anthemas Admiral Heihachiro Togo
- 1983 | Theater of Life
- 1982 | Conquestas Masao Tadokoro
- 1982 |
- 1981 | The Bushido Bladeas Shogun's Commander
- 1980 | The Battle of Port Arthuras Emperor Meiji
- 1979 | Onmitsu dôshin: Ôedo sôsamô
- 1979 | 1941as Cmdr. Akiro Mitamura
- 1979 | Winter Killsas Keith
- 1979 |
Winter Kills
asKeith
The younger brother of an assassinated US President is led down a rabbit hole of conspiracies and dead ends after learning of a man claiming to be the real shooter.
- 1978 | Love and Faithas Taiko Hideyoshi
- 1978 | Nihon no Don: Kanketsuhenas Kosuke Oishi
- 1978 | Shagas Captain Murata
- 1978 | The Fall of Ako Castleas Tsuchiya
- 1978 | Tono Eijirô no Mito Kômon
- 1977 | Nippon no Don: Yabohenas Kosuke Oishi
- 1977 | Proof of the Manas Yohei Kori
- 1976 | Kakushi metsuke sanjôas Naizen-no-shô Tsukumo
- 1975 | Paper Tigeras The Ambassador
- 1975 | The New Spartansas WW2 vet
- 1971 | Futari dake no asa
- 1971 | Red Sunas Kuroda Jubei
- 1970 | Aru heishi no kakeas Tadao Kinugasa
- 1970 | Incident at Blood Passas The yojimbo
- 1970 | The Ambitiousas Shojiro Goto
- 1970 | The Militaristsas Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto
- 1970 | Zatoichi Meets Yojimboas Sassa the yojimbo
- 1969 | Battle of the Japan Seaas Admiral Heihachiro Togo
- 1969 | Red Lionas Gonzo
- 1969 | Safari 5000
- 1969 | Samurai Bannersas Kansuke Yamamoto
- 1969 | Shinsengumi: Assassins of Honoras Isami Kondo
- 1968 | Admiral Yamamotoas Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto
- 1968 | Gion matsurias Kumaza
- 1968 | Hell in the Pacificas Captain Tsuruhiko Kuroda
- 1968 | The Sands of Kurobeas Kitagawa
- 1967 | Japan's Longest Dayas War Minister General Korechika Anami
- 1967 | Samurai Rebellionas Isaburo Sasahara
- 1966 | Adventure in Kigan Castleas Osumi
- 1966 | Doto ichiman kairias Heihachirô Murakami
- 1966 | Grand Prixas Izo Yamura
- 1966 | Rise Against the Swordas Abare Goemon
- 1966 | The Sword of Doomas Toranosuke Shimada
- 1965 | Fort Graveyardas Sergeant Kosugi
- 1965 | Red Beardas Dr. Kyojô Niide
- 1965 | Samurai Assassinas Tsuruchiyo Niiro
- 1965 | Taiheiyô kiseki no sakusen: Kisukaas Omura
- 1963 | 500,000as Takeichi Matsuo
- 1963 | Attack Squadron!as Lt. Colonel Senda
- 1963 | Samurai Pirateas Sukezaemon Naya - Sinbad in English Version
- 1963 | High and Lowas Kingo Gondo
- 1962 | Sanjuroas Sanjûrô Tsubaki
- 1962 | Chushinguraas Genba Tawaraboshi
- 1962 | Doburoku no Tatsuas Tatsu
- 1961 | Daredevil in the Castleas Mohei
- 1961 | The Important Manas Ánimas Trujano
- 1961 | The Youth and His Amuletas Fudo-Myo (Immovable Bright King)
- 1957 | Throne of Bloodas Taketoki Washizu
- 1961 | Yojimboas Sanjuro Kuwabatake
- 1960 | I Bombed Pearl Harboras Admiral Isoroku Yamaguchi
- 1960 | Man Against Manas Kaji
- 1960 | The Bad Sleep Wellas Kôichi Nishi
- 1960 | The Gambling Samuraias Chûji Kunisada
- 1960 | The Last Gunfightas Detective Saburo Fujioka
- 1959 | Samurai Sagaas Heihachiro Komaki
- 1959 | Sengoku gunto-denas Rokuro Kai
- 1959 | The Three Treasuresas Prince Yamato Takeru
- 1958 | The Hidden Fortressas General Rokurota Makabe
- 1958 | The Rickshaw Manas Matsugoro
- 1958 | Yagyû bugeichô: Sôryû hikenas Tasaburo
- 1957 | A Dangerous Hero
- 1957 | A Man in the Stormas Saburô Watari
- 1957 | Be Happy, These Two Loversas Toshio Maruyama
- 1957 | Downtownas Yoshio Tsuruishi
- 1957 | The Lower Depthsas Sutekichi the Thief
- 1957 | Yagyû bugeichôas Tasaburo
- 1956 | A Wife's Heartas Kenkichi
- 1956 | Aijô no kessanas Shuntaro Ohira
- 1956 | Narazu-monoas Kanji
- 1956 | Rainy Night Duelas Masahiko Koseki
- 1956 | Rebels on the High Seaas Tokuzo Matsuo
- 1956 | Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Islandas Musashi Miyamoto (Takezo)
- 1956 |
Seven Samurai
asKikuchiyo
Farmers from a village exploited by bandits hire a veteran samurai for protection, and he gathers six other samurai to join him.
- 1955 | A Man Among Menas Maki
- 1955 | All is Wellas Taichi Daikichi
- 1955 | All is Well, Part2as Taichi Daikichi
- 1955 | I Live in Fearas Kiichi Nakajima
- 1955 | No Time for Tearsas Mitsuo Yano
- 1955 | Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Templeas Musashi Miyamoto (Takezo)
- 1954 | Samurai I: Musashi Miyamotoas Musashi Miyamoto (Takezo)
- 1954 | The Black Furyas Eiichi Tsuda
- 1953 | My Wonderful Yellow Caras Matsumura
- 1953 | Sunflower Girlas Ippei Hitachi
- 1953 | The Last Embraceas Shinkichi
- 1952 | Foghornas Chiyokichi
- 1952 | Swift Currentas Shunsuke Kosugi
- 1952 | Sword for Hireas Sasa Hayatenosuke
- 1952 | The Life of Oharuas Katsunosuke
- 1952 | The Man Who Came to Portas Goro Niinuma
- 1952 | Tokyo Sweetheartas Kurokawa
- 1952 | Vendetta of a Samuraias Mataemon Araki
- 1951 | Beyond Love and Hateas Goro Sakata
- 1951 | Elegyas Daisuke Toki
- 1951 | Kanketsu Sasaki Kojirô: Ganryû-jima kettôas Musashi Miyamoto
- 1951 | Piratesas Tora
- 1951 | Sengoha obake taikaias Kenji Kawakami
- 1951 | The Idiotas Denkichi Akama
- 1951 | The Life of a Horsetraderas Yonetaro Katayama
- 1951 | Who Knows a Woman's Heartas Mizuno
- 1950 | Rashomonas Tajômaru
- 1950 | Conduct Report on Professor Ishinakaas Teisaku Nagasawa
- 1950 | Escape from Prisonas Shinkichi
- 1950 | Scandalas Ichirô Aoye
- 1950 | Wedding Ringas Takeshi Ema
- 1949 | Jakoman and Tetsuas Tetsu
- 1949 | Stray Dogas Detective Murakami
- 1949 | The Quiet Duelas Dr. Kyoji Fujisaki
- 1948 | Drunken Angelas Matsunaga
- 1947 | Snow Trailas Eijima
- 1947 | These Foolish Timesas Genzaburo Ohno (Gang Boss)
- 1947 | These Foolish Times IIas Genzaburo Ohno (Gang Boss)
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