Ken Mitsuda, stage name of Kenzō Mitsuda (Tokyo, April 29, 1902 – November 28, 1997), was a Japanese actor. Active for over five decades, he became one of the most recognizable and prolific faces of post-war Japanese cinema, distinguished by his understated and authoritative presence. His career is inextricably linked to his collaborations with major Japanese directors: he worked repeatedly with Akira Kurosawa in films such as *I Live in Fear* (1955), *The Bad Sleep Well* (1960), and *High and Low* (1963). He also appeared in masterpieces directed by Yasujirō Ozu, including *Tokyo Story* (1953), and by Kenji Mizoguchi, such as *Sansho the Bailiff* (1954). Often cast as father figures, doctors, or officials, in 1956 he won the prestigious Mainichi Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in *I Live in Fear*, solidifying his status as a key character actor of the golden age of Japanese cinema.