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)
Shōgun
1980
as Lord Yoshi Toranaga
V.I.P. Schaukel
1971
as Self
Tuesday Suspense Theater
1981
The 47 Ronins of Ako
1979
as Tachibana Sakon
Burning Mountain River
1984
as Otsuichi Amo
Ronin of the Wastelands
1972
as Kujuro Toge
Falcons of Edo
1978
as Kanbei Uchiyama
Sekigahara
1981
as Sakon Shima
Epic Chushingura
1971
as Oishi Kuranosuke
Ronin in a Lawless Town
1976
as Mr. Danna
The Brave Man Says Little
1983
Movies (167)
Seven Samurai
1954
as Kikuchiyo
Midway
1976
as Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
High and Low
1963
as Kingo Gondo
Rashomon
1950
as Tajômaru
Yojimbo
1961
as Sanjuro Kuwabatake / The Samurai
Throne of Blood
1957
as Taketoki Washizu
1941
1979
as Cmdr. Akiro Mitamura
Red Beard
1965
as Dr. Kyojio Niide ("Red Beard")
The Hidden Fortress
1958
as General Rokurota Makabe
Stray Dog
1949
as Det. Murakami
Sanjuro
1962
as Sanjûrô Tsubaki / The ronin
The Bad Sleep Well
1960
as Kôichi Nishi
Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen
2012
as (archive footage)
The Lower Depths
1957
as Sutekichi the Thief
Red Sun
1971
as Kuroda Jubei
Drunken Angel
1948
as Matsunaga
The Sword of Doom
1966
as Toranosuke Shimada
The Idiot
1951
as Denkichi Akama
Samurai Rebellion
1967
as Isaburo Sasahara
Lowly Ronin 4: Living Hell
1983
as Sanjuro Hinoki
Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island
1956
as Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo
Grand Prix
1966
as Izō Yamura
Shogun's Samurai
1978
as Yoshinao Tokugawa
Chûshingura
1962
as Genba Tawaraboshi
The Fall of Ako Castle
1978
as Tsuchiya Michinao
The Three Treasures
1959
as Prince Yamato Takeru
Princess from the Moon
1987
as Taketori-no-Miyatsuko
Japan's Longest Day
1967
as War Minister General Korechika Anami
Port Arthur
1980
as Emperor Meiji
Shadow of the Wolf
1992
as Kroomak
The Life of Oharu
1952
as Katsunosuke
Samurai Pirate
1963
as Sukezaemon Naya, aka 'Luzon' [Sinbad, in US version]
Admiral Yamamoto
1968
as Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
Scandal
1950
as Ichirô Aoye
Proof of the Man
1977
as Yohei Kori
Samurai Assassin
1965
as Tsuruchiyo Niiro
I Live in Fear
1955
as Kiichi Nakajima
Samurai Banners
1969
as Kansuke Yamamoto
Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto
1954
as Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo
Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple
1955
as Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo
Daredevil in the Castle
1961
as Mohei
The Storm of the Pacific
1960
as Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi
Yagyu Secret Scrolls
1957
as Tasaburō Kasumi
The Last Gunfight
1960
as Detective Saburo Fujioka
Theater Of Life
1983
as Hyōtarō Aonari
Grand Prix: Challenge of the Champions
1966
as Self
The Quiet Duel
1949
as Dr. Kyoji Fujisaki
The Ambitious
1970
as Shojiro Goto
Battle of the Japan Sea
1969
as Admiral Heihachiro Togo
Snow Trail
1947
as Eijima
Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo
1970
as Yojimbo/Sasa
Incident at Blood Pass
1970
as Yojimbo
Red Lion
1969
as Gonzo
Battle Anthem
1983
as Admiral Heihachiro Togo
A Wife's Heart
1956
as Kenkichi
Hell in the Pacific
1968
as Captain Tsuruhiko Kuroda
Mifune: The Last Samurai
2016
as Self - Actor / Various Roles (archive footage)
Rebels on the High Sea
1956
as Matsuo Tokuzō
The Adventures of Kosuke Kindaichi
1979
as Kindaichi of 11th Generation in "The Woman in the Eye"
The Bushido Blade
1981
as Shogun's Commander
The Eagle of the Pacific
1953
as 1st Lieutenant Tomonaga
The Militarists
1970
as Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto
Fort Graveyard
1965
as Sergeant Kosugi
A Man in the Storm
1957
as Saburō Watari
The Sands of Kurobe
1968
as Kitagawa
Sword for Hire
1952
as Sasa Hayatenosuke
Winter Kills
1979
as Keith
The Challenge
1982
as Toru Yoshida
Death of a Tea Master
1989
as Rikyu Sen-no
The Retreat from Kiska
1965
as Omura
No More God, No More Love
1985
as Kōzō Kanzaki
Love and Faith
1978
as Taiko Hideyoshi
Desperado Outpost
1959
as Battalion Commander
Journey of Honor
1991
as Ieyasu Tokugawa
Shag
1978
as Captain Takeo Murata
The Rickshaw Man
1958
as Matsugorō Tomishima
Legacy of the 500,000
1963
as Takeichi Matsuo
Swift Current
1952
as Shunsuke Kosugi
Adventure in Kigan Castle
1966
as Osami
Attack Squadron
1963
as Lt. Colonel Senda
Japanese Godfather: Conclusion
1978
as Kosuke Oishi
Lord Mito
1978
as Sakuzaemon Okumura
The Masterless 47
1960
as Kazuo Momoi
The Miracle of Joe, the Petrel
1984
as Fisherman
Sanshiro Sugata
1965
as Shogoro Yano
Kin no tamago: Golden Girl
1952
Ten Duels of Young Shingo: Chapter 2
1982
as Tamon Umei
The Masterless 47 – Part II
1961
Man Against Man
1960
as Kaji
Rainy Night Duel
1956
as Masahiko Koseki
Down Town
1957
as Yoshio Tsuruishi
Tora-san Goes North
1987
as Junkichi Ueno
Tokyo Sweetheart
1952
as Kurokawa
All is Well 2
1955
as Daikichi Risshun
Vendetta of a Samurai
1952
as Mataemon Araki
Sunflower Girl
1953
as Ippei Hitachi
Shinsengumi: Assassins of Honor
1969
as Isami Kondo
Conduct Report on Professor Ishinaka
1950
as Teisaku Nagasawa
The Youth and His Amulet
1961
as Fudo-Myo (Immovable Bright King)
The Big Boss
1959
as Kashimura
The Surf
1954
as Skipper of the Utashima-maru
Holiday in Tokyo
1958
as Tenkai's nephew Jirō
The Life of a Horse Trader
1951
as Yonetaro Katayama
Strawberry Road
1991
as Taoka
Japanese Godfather: Ambition
1977
as Kosuke Oishi
A Man Among Men
1955
as "Buick" Maki
Yaji and Kita on the Road
1958
as Toshinoshin Taya
Akira Kurosawa: It Is Wonderful to Create: 'The Hidden Fortress'
2002
as Self
All is Well
1955
as Daikichi Risshun
The Mad Atlantic
1966
as Heihachirô Murakami
Picture Bride
1995
as The Benshi
All About Marriage
1958
as Acting teacher
Tatsu
1962
as Tatsu
The Walking Major
1970
as Kinugasa Tadao
Theater of Life
1958
The Ballad of the Sea of Genkai
1986
as Kyūbei Matsufuji
A Dangerous Hero
1957
as Kawada
No Time for Tears
1955
as Mitsuo Yano
Whirlwind
1964
as Lord Akashi
The Women of Osaka Castle
1983
as Tokugawa Ieyasu
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.
Fans searching for Toshirō Mifune movies, Toshirō Mifune filmography, or the latest projects starring Toshirō Mifune can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Toshirō Mifune Movies
- Seven Samurai (1954) — as Kikuchiyo
- Midway (1976) — as Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
- High and Low (1963) — as Kingo Gondo
- Rashomon (1950) — as Tajômaru
- Yojimbo (1961) — as Sanjuro Kuwabatake / The Samurai
Where to Watch Toshirō Mifune Films
Most Toshirō Mifune movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Toshirō Mifune, check our movies catalogue and browse page.