Toshirô Mifune

Toshiro Mifune (三船 敏郎, Mifune Toshirō, April 1, 1920 – December 24, 1997) was a dazzling Japanese actor and producer. He was a rocket in the acting world commanding much respect and admiration throughout his career. He was often placed in roles that embodied hypermasculine characters, harnessing his overwhelming screen presence to deliver unmatched performances. Mifune is most well remembered for his 16 collaborations with director Akira Kurosawa. The magnificence of his acting skills shone brightly in films like Rashomon (1950) and Yojimbo (1961) that won him international recognition and prestigious awards. He also played the mesmerizing character of Miyamoto Musashi in Hiroshi Inagaki's Samurai Trilogy.

Beyond his phenomenal acting career, Mifune was also a film producer and director. He established Mifune Productions in 1962, which saw great success with large-scale works including The Sands of Kurobe and Samurai Banners. His performance in Red Beard earned him the Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival, marking his impact not only in Japan but in foreign lands as well. In the twilight of his life, Mifune's star was etched on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in recognition of his astonishing contributions to film. He remains an emblem of pure talent and meticulous craft in the acting industry. His life was artfully portrayed in the feature-length documentary, Mifune: The Last Samurai.