Sad news came in late last night that Alien and Bond star Yaphet Kotto died at the age of 81. His wife, Tessie Sinahon, shared a statement on his official Facebook page that confirmed the actor passed away Sunday night due to unknown causes and his agent also confirmed the news to "Variety." You can check out his wife's statement about his passing below.
"I'm saddened and still in shocked of the passing of my husband Yaphet of 24 years. He died last night around 10:30 pm Philippine time. This is a very painful [sic] moment for me to inform you all fans, friends, and family of my husband. 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 of Tom Cruise and others. You still have plan to release your book and build a religious organization based on Yogananda's Teachings. You played a villain on some of your movies but for me, you're a real hero and to a lot of people also. A good man, a good father, a good husband, and a decent human being, very rare to find. One of the best actors in Hollywood a Legend. Rest in Peace Honey, I'm gonna miss you everyday, my best friend, my rock. I love you and you will always be in my heart. Till we meet again!"
Kotto was born in New York City in 1939 & by the age of sixteen, the actor was studying acting at the Actors Mobile Theater Studio. At the age of19, Kotto made his professional acting debut in Othello. As a member of the Actors Studio in New York, Kotto got his real start acting on Broadway, where he appeared in The Great White Hope, among other productions.
In 1963, at the age of 23, Kotto made his film debut in an uncredited role in 4 For Texas, and that was followed up with a role in Michael Roemer's Nothing But a Man. Kotto's first substantial supporting role came in 1968 when he appeared in the caper film The Thomas Crown Affair. That very same year, Kotto played John Auston, a confused Marine Lance Corporal during the first season of Hawaii Five-0.
In 1973, Kotto landed his biggest break to date when he pulled double duty portraying the corrupt Caribbean dictator Dr. Kananga as well as his alter ego, Mr. Big, in the James Bond film, Live and Let Die. The film was Roger Moore's first Bond movie and Kotto's appearance in the film made him the first major Black James Bond villain. While other roles followed for Kotto, it was 1979's Alien that likely has made him more of a household name with movie fans. Kotto played technician Dennis Parker in the Ridley Scott classic and the film has continued to endure today. The actor was no stranger to science fiction throughout his career and in 1987, Kotto played William Laughlin in the futuristic sci-fi action film The Running Man alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger.
In the '90s, Kotto transitioned more to television and in 1993, the actor began playing Lieutenant Al Giardello on the long-running police procedural series Homicide: Life on the Street. Koto was a regular cast member for all seven seasons of the series which ended its run in May of 1999. Kotto would also go on to earn credits on popular shows like Law & Order and The Wire. Judging from his wife's statement, it seems Kotto still had more plans to work and his passing was unexpected.
Kotto is survived by his wife and six children and we send out condolences to his family, friends, and fans. If you were a fan of some of Kotto's work, please share some of your favorite roles of Kotto's in the comment section blow.