Skip to content
Saturday, October 31, 2026 Tonight’s issue · Toronto
Search
Subscribe

Everything worth watching

People

Takashi Shimura

Japanese actor (1905–1982)

Takashi Shimura was a Japanese actor who appeared in more than 200 films between 1934 and 1981. He appeared in 21 of Akira Kurosawa's 30 films, more than any other actor, including as lead in Drunken Angel, Rashomon, Ikiru and Seven Samurai. He played Professor Kyohei Yamane in the original Godzilla (1954) and won the Mainichi Film Award for Best Actor in 1950.

Takashi Shimura appears in 27 films in The Rerun, from 1936 to 1980. Most of that work is in drama, history and action. Frequent collaborators in The Rerun: Akira Kurosawa (19), Toshiro Mifune (15), Minoru Chiaki (10), Kamatari Fujiwara (9), Susumu Fujita (8).

Known for

  • Ikiru (1952). One of the Kurosawa films in which he played the lead.
  • Seven Samurai (1954). One of the Kurosawa films in which he played a lead role.
  • Rashomon (1950). A Kurosawa film in which he played a lead role.
  • Drunken Angel (1948). A Kurosawa film in which he played the lead.
  • Godzilla (1954), Professor Kyohei Yamane. Played Professor Yamane in Ishirō Honda’s original, then returned in the first sequel.
  • Godzilla Raids Again (1955), Professor Kyohei Yamane. The first sequel, in which he reprised his role.

Movies

Quick answers

When was Takashi Shimura born?
Takashi Shimura was born on 12 March 1905.

Before you go

Share this story