Yôko Shimada
Biography
Yoko Shimada was a Japanese actress from Kumamoto who became familiar to Western audiences as Mariko in the 1980 miniseries Shogun (1980). She was the only woman in the production's large Japanese cast shown speaking English, and because she was not yet fluent she relied on a dialogue coach; her English improved enough during filming that she later worked in English-language films in the 1980s and 1990s. In 1981 she won a Golden Globe for best actress in a television drama series and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for her lead performance in a limited series. The nine-hour Shogun was a critical success in the United States, though it did poorly in Japan, where it was cut down into a theatrical release. Shimada died in 2022.
69years old at death
- Born Kumamoto
- Died Shibuya
- Star sign: TaurusThe sign runs April 20 to May 20
- 中村 ようこ (birth name)Also credited as Shimada Yōko, Yoko Shimada, Shimada Yoko and Youko Shimada
Movie Career
- Films
- 4
- Career span
- 19 years1976 to 1995
Every film, newest first
- 1995Crying FreemanIMDb rating 6.4
- 1995The HuntedIMDb rating 5.9
- 1980ShogunIMDb rating 7.8
- 1976The InugamisIMDb rating 7.1
Genres
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Languages
In Shōgun, Shimada was the sole woman among the many Japanese actors seen speaking English. Since she did not speak the language fluently then, a dialogue coach helped her.
Yôko Shimada movies on Netflix
Worked with
Yôko Shimada made one film with each of them. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
John Rhys-Davies's page
Michael Hordern's page
Anne Bancroft's page
Toshirô Mifune's page
Christopher Lambert's page
Mark Dacascos's page
All films by Christophe Gans
J.F. LawtonDirector, 1 film, 1995
All films by J.F. Lawton
Jerry LondonDirector, 1 film, 1980
All films by Jerry London
Awards
Two awards and honors.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| 1974 | Elan d'or Award for Newcomer of the Year | Won | |
| Golden Arrow Award | Won | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.