For the band, see Yaphet Kotto (band).
Yaphet Kotto
Birth nameFrederick Samuel Kotto[1]
Birth dateNovember 15, 1939
Birth placeNew York City, U.S.
Death dateMarch 15, 2021 (aged 81)
Death placeManila, Philippines
Years active1963–2014
Height6 ft 4 in[2]
OccupationActor
Spouse
  • Rita Ingried[1] Dittman (m. 1959; div. 1976)
  • Toni Pettyjohn (m. 1975; div. 1989)[3]
  • Tessie Sinahon (m. 1998)

Yaphet Frederick Kotto (November 15, 1939 – March 15, 2021) was an American actor for film and television. His films include the neo-noir action thriller Across 110th Street (1972), the James Bond film Live and Let Die (1973), the science-fiction horror film Alien (1979), the science-fiction action film The Running Man (1987), and the action comedy Midnight Run (1988). He also starred in the NBC television series Homicide: Life on the Street (1993–1999) as Lieutenant Al Giardello.

Early life

Kotto was born in New York City.[4] His mother, Gladys Marie, was an American nurse and U.S. Army officer of Panamanian and Antiguan descent.[5] His father, Avraham Kotto (who was, according to his son, originally named Njoki Manga Bell), was a businessman from Cameroon who immigrated to the United States in the 1920s.[4] Kotto's father was raised Jewish and his mother converted to Judaism. The couple separated when Kotto was a child, and he was raised by his maternal grandparents.[6][7][8][9]

By the age of 16, Kotto was studying acting at the Actors Mobile Theater Studio.[10]

Career

At age 19, Yaphet Kotto made his professional acting debut in Othello. He was a member of the Actors Studio in New York. Kotto got his start in acting on Broadway, where he appeared in The Great White Hope, among other productions.[11]

His film debut was in 1963, aged 23, in an uncredited role in 4 for Texas.[12] He performed in Michael Roemer's Nothing but a Man (1964) and played a supporting role in the caper film The Thomas Crown Affair (1968).[13] He played John Auston, a confused Marine Lance Corporal, in the 1968 episode "King of the Hill", on the first season of Hawaii Five-O.[14]

In 1967, he released a single, "Have You Ever Seen the Blues" / "Have You Dug His Scene" (Chisa Records, CH006).[15]

In 1973, he landed the role of the James Bond villain Mr. Big in Live and Let Die, as well as roles in Across 110th Street and Truck Turner. He played a police officer, Richard "Crunch" Blackstone, in the 1975 film Report to the Commissioner. Kotto portrayed Idi Amin in the 1977 television film Raid on Entebbe. He starred as an auto worker in the 1978 film Blue Collar. The following year he played Parker in the sci-fi–horror film Alien. He followed with a supporting role in the 1980 prison drama Brubaker. In 1983, he guest-starred as mobster Charlie "East Side Charlie" Struthers in The A-Team episode "The Out-of-Towners". In 1987, he appeared in the futuristic sci-fi movie The Running Man, and in 1988, in the action-comedy Midnight Run, in which he portrayed Alonzo Moseley, an FBI agent. A memo from Paramount indicates that Kotto was among those being considered for Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, a role which eventually went to Patrick Stewart.[16]

Kotto was cast as a religious man living in the southwestern desert country in the 1967 episode "A Man Called Abraham" on the syndicated anthology series Death Valley Days, hosted by Robert Taylor. In the story line, Abraham convinces a killer named Cassidy (Rayford Barnes) that Cassidy can change his heart despite past crimes. When Cassidy is sent to the gallows, Abraham provides spiritual solace. Bing Russell also appeared in this segment.[17]

Kotto retired from film acting in the mid-1990s, though he had one final film role in Witless Protection (2008).[18] However, he continued to take on television roles. Kotto portrayed Lieutenant Al Giardello in the long-running television series Homicide: Life on the Street. As a black Sicilian proud of his Italian ancestry, the character was a breakout for television.[citation needed] He has written the book Royalty and also wrote scripts for Homicide. In 2014, he voiced Parker for the video game Alien: Isolation, reprising the role he played in the movie Alien in 1979.[19]

Personal life

Kotto's first marriage, in 1959, was to a German immigrant, Rita Ingrid Dittman. They had three children and divorced in 1976. Later, Kotto married Toni Pettyjohn, and they also had three children together before divorcing in 1989. Kotto married his third wife, Tessie Sinahon, who was from the Philippines,[6] in 1998.[18]

Yaphet Kotto was raised in the Catholic faith and attended Holy Cross Grammar School, in the Soundview section of the Bronx during the early to mid-fifties.

Kotto became Jewish, and versed in the Hebrew liturgy and incorporated Jewish prayers at turning points throughout his life.[20] He said his father "instilled Judaism" in him.[18]

In 2000, he was living in Marmora, Ontario, Canada.[21]

Death

Kotto died at the age of 81 on March 15, 2021, near Manila, Philippines. His wife announced the news on Facebook.[22][23]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
19634 for TexasExtraUncredited[24]
1964Nothing but a ManJocko[24][13]
1968The Thomas Crown AffairCarl[24][13]
5 Card StudGeorge "Little George", Mama's Bartender[24][13]
1970The Liberation of L.B. JonesSonny "Sonny Boy" Mosby[24][13]
1971Man and BoyNate Hodges[24][13]
1972Bone"Bone"[24][13]
The LimitMark JohnsonAlso director[24][13]
Across 110th StreetLieutenant Pope[24][13]
1973Live and Let DieDr. Kananga / Mr. Big[24][13]
1974Truck TurnerHarvard Blue[24][13]
1975Report to the CommissionerRichard "Crunch" Blackstone[24][13]
Sharks' TreasureBen Flynn[24][13]
Friday FosterColt Hawkins[24][13]
1976DrumBlaise[13][25]
The Monkey Hustle"Big Daddy" Foxx[24][13]
1978Blue CollarSam "Smokey" James[24][13]
1979AlienDennis Parker, Technician[24][13]
1980BrubakerDickie Coombes[24][13]
OthelloOthelloNo commercial release[24][25]
1982Fighting BackIvanhoe Washington[24][13]
1983The Star ChamberDetective Harry Lowes[24][13]
1984Terror in the AislesHimself
1985Warning SignMajor Connolly[24][13]
1986The Park Is MineEubanks
Eye of the TigerJ.B. Deveraux[24][13]
1987PrettykillHarris[24][13]
Terminal EntryColonel Styles[24][25]
The Running ManWilliam Laughlin[24][13]
1988Midnight RunFBI Special Agent Alonzo Mosely[24][13]
1989The Jigsaw MurdersDr. Filmore[24][25]
A Whisper To A ScreamJules Tallard[24][25]
Ministry of VengeanceMr. Whiteside[24][13]
TripwireLee Pitt[24][14]
1991HangfirePolice Lieutenant[24][13]
Freddy's Dead: The Final NightmareDoc[24][25]
1992Intent to KillCaptain Jackson
1993Extreme JusticeDetective Larson[24][25]
1994The Puppet MastersRessler[24][25]
1995Dead BadgeCaptain Hunt
Out-of-SyncQuincy[24][13]
1996Two If by SeaFBI Agent O'Malley[24][13]
Almost BlueTerry
2008Witless ProtectionRicardo BodiFinal film role[24][13]

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1966–1967The Big Valley"Lobo" Brown
Damien		Season 2, episode 11: "The Iron Box"
Season 3, episode 15: "The Buffalo Man"		[14]
1967Death Valley DaysAbrahamSeason 15, episode 26: "A Man Called Abraham"[14]
1968Bonanza[24]Joshua "Child" BarnettSeason 10, episode 2: "Child"[14]
1968The High ChaparralSergeant MajorSeason 2, episode 10: "The Buffalo Soldiers"
Western Heritage Bronze Wrangler Award for Best Fictional Television Drama		[24][14]
1968Daniel BooneLukeSeason 5, episode 11: Big, Black and out There[24][14]
1969MannixGabe Johnson / Gabriel DillonSeason 2, episode 18: "Death in a Minor Key"[24][14]
1969Hawaii Five-OMarine Lance Corporal John T. AustonSeason 1, episode 14: "King of the Hill"[14]
1969Daniel BooneJonahSeason 5, episode 18: "Jonah"[24][14]
1970GunsmokePiney BiggsSeason 16, episode 10: "The Scavengers"[24][14]
1970Night ChaseErnie GreenTelevision film
1971Night GalleryBucknerSeason 2, episode 13: "The Messiah on Mott Street"[24][14]
1976Raid on EntebbePresident Idi Amin DadaNominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie[24][25]
1976CrunchRichard "Crunch" BlackstoneTelevision film
1980Rage!ErnieTelevision film
1982A House Divided: Denmark Vesey's RebellionDenmark VeseyTelevision film[24]
1983The A-TeamCharlie "East-Side Charlie" StruthersSeries 1, episode 8: "The Out-of-Towners" (1983)[24][14]
1983For Love and HonorSergeant James "China" BellTelevision film[24][25]
1983Women of San QuentinSergeant Therman PattersonTelevision film[24][25]
1983–1984For Love and HonorSergeant James "China" Bell12 episodes[24][25]
1985Playing with FireFire Chief Jim WalkerTelevision film[24][25]
1985The Park is MineEubanksTelevision film[24][25]
1985Badge of the AssassinDetective Cliff Fenton NYPDTelevision film[24][25]
1985Alfred Hitchcock PresentsConvictSeason 1, episode 10: "Prisoners"[24][14]
1986HaremAgha KislarTelevision film[24][25]
1987DesperadoBedeTelevision film[24][25]
1987In Self DefenseLieutenant TyrellTelevision film[24][25]
1987Perry Mason: The Case of the Scandalous ScoundrelGeneral SorensonTelevision film
1987Murder, She WroteLieutenant BradshawSeason 4, episode 8: "Steal Me a Story" (1987)[24][14]
1989Prime TargetGilmore BrownTelevision film[25][14]
1990After the ShockWilliam McElroyTelevision film[24][25]
1992Chrome SoldiersPerry BeachTelevision film[24][14]
1993It's Nothing PersonalLieutenant RileyTelevision film
1993The American ClockIsaacTelevision film
1993seaQuest DSVCaptain Jack ClaytonSeason 1, episode 6: "Treasures of the Tonga Trench"
1993–2000Homicide: Life on the StreetLieutenant Al GiardelloNominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series (1996–1999)[24][14]
1994The Corpse Had a Familiar FaceDetective Martin TalbotTelevision film[24][25]
1994TV NationHimselfPilot episode
1995Deadline for Murder: From the Files of Edna BuchananMarty TalbotTelevision film
1997The Defenders: PaybackJudge WilliamsTelevision film
Law & OrderLieutenant Al GiardelloSeason 8, Episode 6: "Baby It's You"
2000Homicide: The MovieAl "Gee" GiardelloTelevision film[24][14]
2000The RideCarterTelevision film
2001Stiletto DanceCaptain Rick SandsTelevision film

Video games

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2014Alien: IsolationDennis Parker, TechnicianVoice role; Nostromo Edition[26]

A hardcore punk band from California took its name from the actor. He was also mentioned by Childish Gambino on the track 'yaphet kotto (freestyle)'.

References

  1. ^ "Dramas and Works Prepared for Oral Delivery: Current Registrations". Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series. Library of Congress. Copyright Office. 1968. p. 21. – via Google Books. The Immaculates by Rita Ingried, pseud. of Rita Ingried Kotto & Frederick Samuel Kotto
  2. ^ Williams, Monte (January 31, 1994). "The Soul of Diversity". People. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  3. ^ California Marriage Index, 1960–1985, California Department of Health
  4. ^ "Yaphet Kotto: James Bond villain and Alien actor dies at 81". BBC News. March 16, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  5. ^ Carlson, Michael (2021-03-26). "Yaphet Kotto obituary". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
  6. ^ Ives, Mike (March 16, 2021). "Yaphet Kotto, Bond Villain and 'Alien' Star, Dies at 81". The New York Times
  7. ^ Faxx, Israel (May 6, 1999). "Lt. Giardello Doesn't Skip His Prayers". allbusiness.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007.
  8. ^ Barnes, Mike (March 15, 2021). "Yaphet Kotto, Actor in 'Homicide: Life on the Street,' 'Live and Let Die,' and 'Alien,' Dies at 81". The Hollywood Reporter
  9. ^ Bush, Lawrence (November 15, 2014). "November 15: African-American Jews on TV | Jewish Currents Archive"
  10. ^ Kalat, David P. (1998). Homicide: Life on the Streets--The Unofficial Companion. 1st ed. New York: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 978-1-4299-3879-2.
  11. ^ Coyle, Jake (March 16, 2021). "Yaphet Kotto of 'Live and Let Die,' 'Alien,' dies at 81". Associated Press. Retrieved March 16, 2021. – via The Seattle Times
  12. ^ "Yaphet Kotto Filmography". AllMovie. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  13. ^ "Yaphet Kotto". American Film Institute. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  14. ^ "Yaphet Kotto List of Movies and TV Shows". TV Guide. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  15. ^ "Yaphet Kotto – Have You Ever Seen The Blues". – via www.45cat.com.
  16. ^ Letters of Note: STAR TREK/Casting, lettersofnote.com; August 2010.
  17. ^ "A Man Called Abraham on Death Valley Days". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  18. ^ Pulver, Andrew (March 16, 2021). "Yaphet Kotto, star of Live and Let Die and Alien, dies aged 81". The Guardian. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  19. ^ "Yaphet Kotto: James Bond villain and Alien actor dies at 81". BBC News. March 16, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  20. ^ Ivry, Benjamin (17 March 2021). "Remembering Yaphet Kotto, charismatic actor and proud Jew". The Forward. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  21. ^ Ebden, Theresa (August 25, 2000). "An actor in search of character detail". The Globe and Mail
  22. ^ Pulver, Andrew (March 16, 2021). "Yaphet Kotto, star of Live and Let Die and Alien, dies aged 81". The Guardian
  23. ^ Medina, Victor (2021-03-16). "One of the Last Surviving Cast Members of 'Alien' Has Died (VIDEO)". The Week In Nerd. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  24. ^ "Yaphet Kotto". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  25. ^ "Yaphet Kotto". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on May 6, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  26. ^ Shafer, Ellise (March 16, 2021). "Yaphet Kotto, Bond Villain and 'Alien' Star, Dies at 81". Variety

Further reading

  • The Royalty: A Spiritual Awakening (1997), autobiography; ISBN 0-9655950-1-3