Yaphet Kotto— the prolific actor who starred in films such asLive and Let DieandAlien, as well as numerous television series includeHomicide: Life on the Street— has died. He was 81.
Kotto’s wife Tessie Sinahon revealed the sad news on his official Facebook page Monday, sharing a throwback photo of him and writing, “I’m saddened and still in shocked of the passing of my husband Yaphet of 24 years.”
“Hedied last night around 10:30pm Philippine time. This is a very painfall [sic] moment for me to inform you all fans, friends and family of my husband,” she shared.
“We still have a lot of plans honey that we discussed you have a lot of interviews waiting and you have movie offers like G.I. Joe and the movie ofTom Cruiseand others,” Sinahon continued. “You still have plan to release your book and build a religious organization based on Yogananda’s Teachings.”
Kotto kicked off his film career in the early 1960s, starting as an extra in theFrank Sinatra- andDean Martin-led comedy-Western4 for Texas.
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Yaphet Kotto (L) inLive and Let Die.Danjaq/Eon/Ua/Kobal/Shutterstock
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He would go on to star in movies likeThe Thomas Crown Affair(1968) and 1972’sThe Limit— the latter of which he also directed — before landing the role of villain Dr. Kananga/Mr. Big inLive and Let Die, alongsideRoger Moore’s James Bond and Bond girlJane Seymour.
“You played a villain on some of your movies but for me you’re a real hero and to a lot of people also,” Sinahon added in her tribute to Kotto.
Other projects the late actor was well-known for includeAlien(1979),The Running Man(1987) andMidnight Run(1988), as well as a starring role as Lieutenant Al Giardello onHomicide: Life on the Street. Kotto played the latter role for the entirety of the series' seven-season run, beginning in 1993, as well as in 2000’sHomicide: The Movie.
While his final onscreen role was in the 2008 filmWitless Protection, Kotto later lent his voice talents to reprise hisAliencharacter, technician Dennis Parker, in the 2014 video gameAlien: Isolation.
Yaphet Kotto (far right) inHomicide: Life on the Street.Chris Haston/Nbc Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock
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Many in the film and television industry flocked to social media to express their condolences over Kotto’s death, includingAva DuVernay, who shared a collection of photos of the late actor and wrote, “Yaphet Kotto. My Mom’s favorite. He’s one of those actors who deserved more than the parts he got.”
“But he took those partsand made them wonderful all the same. A star. Rest well, sir,” added DuVernay, 48.
In her Facebook post, Sinahon referred to Kotto, a father of six, as “a good man, a good father, a good husband and a decent human being, very rare to find.”
She concluded, “One of the best actor in Hollywood a Legend. Rest in Peace Honey, I’m gonna miss you everyday, my best friend, my rock. love you andyou will always be in my heart. Till we meet again!”
source: people.com
