Is Yaphet Kotto Living or Dead?

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Is American actor (1939–2021) Yaphet Kotto dead? Or ... still alive?

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By Adder Lovelace

Updated 18 March 2023

Image info

Artist	NBC Television
Credit	eBay item photo front photo back
License	pd
Desc	Photo of Leif Erickson as John Cannon and Yaphet Kotto as the leader of an all African-American group of cavalry soldiers from the television program The High Chaparral.
Usage	Public domain

Image info/credit

American actor (1939–2021)

Yaphet Kotto is ...

Dead

Born	15 November 1939 in New York City
Died	15 March 2021 in Manila
Age	81 years, 4 months

Sex or gender	male
Country of citizenship	United States of America
Birth name	Yaphet Frederick Kotto
Occupation	television actor, film actor and stage actor
Residence	Baltimore, The Bronx and Manila
Height	1.90m (6'3")
Notable work	Live and Let Die
Net worth	$5,000,000
Eye color	dark brown
Hair color	black hair

About Yaphet Kotto

Yaphet Kotto, the legendary American actor, was born on November 15, 1939, in New York City. He was the son of a Cameroonian immigrant and an American mother. Kotto's acting career spanned over five decades, during which he starred in numerous films and television shows.

Kotto's breakthrough role came in 1968 when he played the villainous Mr. Big in the James Bond film "Live and Let Die." He went on to star in other notable films such as "Alien," "The Running Man," and "Midnight Run." Kotto was also a prolific television actor, appearing in shows such as "Homicide: Life on the Street" and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

Kotto was known for his commanding presence on screen and his ability to bring depth and nuance to his characters. He was a trailblazer for Black actors in Hollywood, breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations.

Off-screen, Kotto was a passionate advocate for social justice and equality. He was an outspoken critic of racism and discrimination in the entertainment industry and beyond. Kotto was also a talented musician and writer, releasing several albums and books throughout his career.

Sadly, Kotto passed away on March 15, 2021, at the age of 81. His legacy as a groundbreaking actor and activist will continue to inspire and influence generations to come.

References:

- "Yaphet Kotto, Bond Villain and 'Alien' Star, Dies at 81" - The New York Times

- "Yaphet Kotto, 'Alien' and 'Homicide' Star, Dies at 81" - Variety

- "Yaphet Kotto, 'Live and Let Die' and 'Alien' Actor, Dies at 81" - Rolling Stone

Films - which cast members have died?

Yaphet Kotto has been a part of these films.

Click to see which cast and crew are living and dead!

Alien

1979 British-American science-fiction horror film by Ridley Scott

Live and Let Die

1973 film by Guy Hamilton

The Running Man

1987 action sci-fi movie directed by Paul Michael Glaser

The Thomas Crown Affair

1968 film by Norman Jewison

Midnight Run

1988 film by Martin Brest

Across 110th Street

1972 film by Barry Shear

Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare

1991 film by Rachel Talalay

Terror in the Aisles

1984 film by Andrew J. Kuehn

Brubaker

1980 film starring Robert Redford

The Star Chamber

1983 film by Peter Hyams

Friday Foster

1975 film by Arthur Marks

Nothing but a Man

1964 film by Michael Roemer

Raid on Entebbe

1977 film directed by Irvin Kershner

Blue Collar

1978 film by Paul Schrader

Warning Sign

1985 film by Hal Barwood

Truck Turner

1974 film by Jonathan Kaplan

The Liberation of L.B. Jones

1970 film by William Wyler

The Puppet Masters

1994 science fiction film directed by Stuart Orme

Eye of the Tiger

1986 film by Richard C. Sarafian

Two If by Sea

1996 film by Bill Bennett

Drum

1976 film by Steve Carver

The Park Is Mine

1986 film directed by Steven Hilliard Stern

5 Card Stud

1968 film by Henry Hathaway

Report to the Commissioner

1975 film by Milton Katselas

The Monkey Hustle

1976 film by Arthur Marks

Terminal Entry

1986 film by John Kincade

Bone

1972 American film directed by Larry Cohen

Tripwire

1990 film by James Lemmo

Sharks' Treasure

1975 film by Cornel Wilde

Intent to Kill

1992 film

Man and Boy

1971 film by E.W. Swackhamer

Almost Blue

1993 film by Keoni Waxman

In Self Defense

1987 American TV movie directed by Bruce Seth Green

Television - which cast members have died?

Yaphet Kotto has been a part of these shows.

Click to see which cast and crew are living and dead!

Gunsmoke

American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston.

Bonanza

1959-1973 American western/cowboy television series

The Big Valley

television program

The A-Team

1980s American television series

Death Valley Days

television series

Murder, She Wrote

American television series

Homicide: Life on the Street

television series

Hawaii Five-O

1968 American TV series

SeaQuest DSV

American science fiction television series

Mannix

television series

Daniel Boone

American action-adventure television series

The High Chaparral

television series

Night Gallery

television series

TV Nation

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

American anthology series which started airing in 1985