Acting · Qingdao, China · Born April 1, 1920
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.
MovieMifune: The Last Samurai
2016
as Self - Actor / Various Roles (archive footage)
MovieFinal Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen
2012
as (archive footage)
MovieAkira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'The Hidden Fortress'
2002
as Self
MoviePicture Bride
1995
as The Benshi
MovieDeep River
1995
as Tsukada
MovieShadow of the Wolf
1992
as Kroomak
MovieJourney of Honor
1991
as Ieyasu Tokugawa
MovieStrawberry Road
1991
as Taoka
MovieHeaven and Earth: Dawn Episode
1990
as Nagao Tamekage
MovieDeath of a Tea Master
1989
as Rikyu Sen-no
Moviecf Girl
1989
as Shūichirō Hase
MovieThe Demon Comes in Spring
1989
as Kukkune no jî
MoviePrincess from the Moon
1987
as Taketori-no-Miyatsuko
MovieThe Retired Samurai
1987
as Hikozaemon Ōkubo
MovieTora-san Goes North
1987
as Junkichi Ueno
MovieThe Shatterer
1987
as Murai
MovieThe Ballad of the Sea of Genkai
1986
as Kyūbei Matsufuji
MovieNo More God, No More Love
1985
as Kōzō Kanzaki
MovieThe Miracle of Joe, the Petrel
1984
as Fisherman
MovieOkita Soji: Swordsman of Fire
1984
as Shūsai Kondō
TVBurning Mountain River
1984
as Otsuichi Amo
MovieSecret of the Forbidden Valley
1983
MovieThe Women of Osaka Castle
1983
as Tokugawa Ieyasu
MovieLowly Ronin 6: Betrayal at Yatate Pass
1983
as Sûrônin Hinoki Sajûrô
MovieBattle Anthem
1983
as Admiral Heihachiro Togo
MovieLowly Ronin 5: The Teenage Orphan Girl
1983
as Sûrônin Rakuyôjûrô
MovieLowly Ronin 4: Living Hell
1983
as Sanjuro Hinoki
TVThe Brave Man Says Little
1983
MovieTheater Of Life
1983
as Hyōtarō Aonari
MovieLowly Ronin 2: The Spray of Blood
1982
as Sanjuro Hinoki
MovieDomineering
1982
as Masao Tadokoro
MovieThe Challenge
1982
as Toru Yoshida
MovieThe Lowly Ronin 3: Duel at Dawn
1982
MovieTen Duels of Young Shingo: Chapter 2
1982
as Tamon Umei
MovieLowly Ronin
1981
as Sanjuro Hinoki
TVTuesday Suspense Theater
1981
MovieThe Bushido Blade
1981
as Shogun's Commander
MovieTen Duels of Young Shingo: Chapter 1
1981
as Tamon Umei
MovieInchon
1981
as Saito-San
TVSekigahara
1981
as Sakon Shima
MovieShogun
1980
as Lord Yoshi Toranaga
TVShōgun
1980
as Lord Yoshi Toranaga
MoviePort Arthur
1980
as Emperor Meiji
Movie1941
1979
as Cmdr. Akiro Mitamura
MovieOnmitsu Doshin: The Edo Secret Police
1979
as Sadanobu Matsudaira
MovieThe Adventures of Kosuke Kindaichi
1979
as Kindaichi of 11th Generation in "The Woman in the Eye"
MovieWinter Kills
1979
as Keith
The 47 Ronins of Ako
1979
as Tachibana Sakon
MovieLord Mito
1978
as Sakuzaemon Okumura
MovieThe Fall of Ako Castle
1978
as Tsuchiya Michinao
MovieJapanese Godfather: Conclusion
1978
as Kosuke Oishi
MovieLove and Faith
1978
as Taiko Hideyoshi
MovieShag
1978
as Captain Takeo Murata
MovieShogun's Samurai
1978
as Yoshinao Tokugawa
TVFalcons of Edo
1978
as Kanbei Uchiyama
MovieJapanese Godfather: Ambition
1977
as Kosuke Oishi
MovieProof of the Man
1977
as Yohei Kori
MovieMidway
1976
as Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
TVRonin in a Lawless Town
1976
as Mr. Danna
MoviePaper Tiger
1975
as Ambassador Kagoyama
TVRonin of the Wastelands
1972
as Kujuro Toge
MovieRed Sun
1971
as Kuroda Jubei
V.I.P. Schaukel
1971
as Self
TVEpic Chushingura
1971
as Oishi Kuranosuke
MovieThe Militarists
1970
as Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto
MovieThe Walking Major
1970
as Kinugasa Tadao
MovieIncident at Blood Pass
1970
as Yojimbo
MovieThe Ambitious
1970
as Shojiro Goto
MovieZatoichi Meets Yojimbo
1970
as Yojimbo/Sasa
MovieShinsengumi: Assassins of Honor
1969
as Isami Kondo
MovieRed Lion
1969
as Gonzo
MovieBattle of the Japan Sea
1969
as Admiral Heihachiro Togo
MovieSafari 5000
1969
as Yūichirō Takase
MovieSamurai Banners
1969
as Kansuke Yamamoto
MovieHell in the Pacific
1968
as Captain Tsuruhiko Kuroda
The Day the Sun Rose
1968
as Kumaza
MovieAdmiral Yamamoto
1968
as Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
MovieThe Sands of Kurobe
1968
as Kitagawa
MovieJapan's Longest Day
1967
as War Minister General Korechika Anami
MovieSamurai Rebellion
1967
as Isaburo Sasahara
MovieGrand Prix
1966
as Izō Yamura
MovieGrand Prix: Challenge of the Champions
1966
as Self
MovieThe Mad Atlantic
1966
as Heihachirô Murakami
MovieAdventure in Kigan Castle
1966
as Osami
MovieThe Sword of Doom
1966
as Toranosuke Shimada
MovieRise Against the Sword
1966
as Abare Gōemon
MovieFort Graveyard
1965
as Sergeant Kosugi
MovieThe Retreat from Kiska
1965
as Omura
MovieSanshiro Sugata
1965
as Shogoro Yano
MovieRed Beard
1965
as Dr. Kyojio Niide ("Red Beard")
MovieSamurai Assassin
1965
as Tsuruchiyo Niiro
MovieWhirlwind
1964
as Lord Akashi
MovieSamurai Pirate
1963
as Sukezaemon Naya, aka 'Luzon' [Sinbad, in US version]
MovieLegacy of the 500,000
1963
as Takeichi Matsuo
MovieHigh and Low
1963
as Kingo Gondo
MovieAttack Squadron
1963
as Lt. Colonel Senda
MovieChûshingura
1962
as Genba Tawaraboshi
MovieThree Gentlemen Return from Hong Kong
1962
as Zhang Zhizhang
MovieTatsu
1962
as Tatsu
MovieSanjuro
1962
as Sanjûrô Tsubaki / The ronin
MovieThe Important Man
1961
as Ánimas Trujano
MovieThe Youth and His Amulet
1961
as Fudo-Myo (Immovable Bright King)
MovieYojimbo
1961
as Sanjuro Kuwabatake / The Samurai
MovieThe Masterless 47 – Part II
1961
MovieDaredevil in the Castle
1961
as Mohei
MovieThe Masterless 47
1960
as Kazuo Momoi
MovieThe Bad Sleep Well
1960
as Kôichi Nishi
MovieMan Against Man
1960
as Kaji
MovieThe Storm of the Pacific
1960
as Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi
MovieThe Gambling Samurai
1960
as Kunisada Chuji
MovieThe Last Gunfight
1960
as Detective Saburo Fujioka
MovieThe Three Treasures
1959
as Prince Yamato Takeru
MovieDesperado Outpost
1959
as Battalion Commander
MovieSaga of the Vagabonds
1959
as Rokuro Kai
MovieSamurai Saga
1959
as Heihachiro Komaki
MovieThe Big Boss
1959
as Kashimura
MovieThe Hidden Fortress
1958
as General Rokurota Makabe
MovieTheater of Life
1958
MovieAll About Marriage
1958
as Acting teacher
MovieYaji and Kita on the Road
1958
as Toshinoshin Taya
MovieThe Rickshaw Man
1958
as Matsugorō Tomishima
MovieHoliday in Tokyo
1958
as Tenkai's nephew Jirō
MovieYagyu Secret Scrolls: Ninjitsu - Part II
1958
as Tasaburo
MovieDown Town
1957
as Yoshio Tsuruishi
MovieThe Lower Depths
1957
as Sutekichi the Thief
MovieA Dangerous Hero
1957
as Kawada
MovieYagyu Secret Scrolls
1957
as Tasaburō Kasumi
MovieGood Luck to These Two
1957
as Toshio Maruyama
MovieA Man in the Storm
1957
as Saburō Watari
MovieThrone of Blood
1957
as Taketoki Washizu
MovieRebels on the High Sea
1956
as Matsuo Tokuzō
MovieScoundrel
1956
as Kanji
MovieA Wife's Heart
1956
as Kenkichi
MovieSettlement of Love
1956
as Shuntarō Ōhira
MovieThe Underworld
1956
as Chief Inspector Kumada
MovieRainy Night Duel
1956
as Masahiko Koseki
MovieSamurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island
1956
as Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo
MovieI Live in Fear
1955
as Kiichi Nakajima
MovieSamurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple
1955
as Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo
MovieNo Time for Tears
1955
as Mitsuo Yano
MovieAll is Well 2
1955
as Daikichi Risshun
MovieAll is Well
1955
as Daikichi Risshun
MovieA Man Among Men
1955
as "Buick" Maki
MovieThe Black Fury
1954
as Eiichi Tsuda
MovieThe Surf
1954
as Skipper of the Utashima-maru
MovieSamurai I: Musashi Miyamoto
1954
as Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo
MovieSeven Samurai
1954
as Kikuchiyo
MovieThe Eagle of the Pacific
1953
as 1st Lieutenant Tomonaga
MovieSunflower Girl
1953
as Ippei Hitachi
MovieThe Last Embrace
1953
as Shinkichi / Hayakawa
MovieMy Wonderful Yellow Car
1953
as Matsumura
MovieThe Man Who Came to Port
1952
as Gorō Niinuma
MovieSwift Current
1952
as Shunsuke Kosugi
MovieTokyo Sweetheart
1952
as Kurokawa
MovieSword for Hire
1952
as Sasa Hayatenosuke
MovieKin no tamago: Golden Girl
1952
MovieThe Life of Oharu
1952
as Katsunosuke
MovieFoghorn
1952
as Chiyokichi
MovieVendetta of a Samurai
1952
as Mataemon Araki
MovieWho Knows a Woman's Heart
1951
as Mizuno
MovieThe Life of a Horse Trader
1951
as Yonetaro Katayama
MovieSasaki Kojiro
1951
as Miyamoto Musashi
MovieMeeting of the Ghost of Apres-Guerre
1951
as Kenji Kawakami
MoviePirates
1951
as Tora
MovieThe Idiot
1951
as Denkichi Akama
MovieElegy
1951
as Prosecutor Daisuke Toki
MovieBeyond Love and Hate
1951
as Gorō Sakata
MovieRashomon
1950
as Tajômaru
MovieWedding Ring
1950
as Takeshi Ema
MovieScandal
1950
as Ichirô Aoye
MovieConduct Report on Professor Ishinaka
1950
as Teisaku Nagasawa
MovieEscape from Prison
1950
as Shinkichi
MovieStray Dog
1949
as Det. Murakami
MovieJakoman and Tetsu
1949
as Tetsu
MovieThe Quiet Duel
1949
as Dr. Kyoji Fujisaki
MovieDrunken Angel
1948
as Matsunaga
MovieThese Foolish Times
1947
as Genzaburo Onō, Gang Boss
MovieSnow Trail
1947
as Eijima
