Yaphet Kotto
Born
November 16, 1939
Died
March 15, 2021 (81 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
New York City, New York, U.S.A
Yaphet Frederick Kotto (November 16, 1939 – March 15, 2021) was an American actor known for numerous film roles, as well as starring in the NBC television series Homicide: Life on the Street (1993-99) as Lieutenant Al Giardello. His films include the science-fiction and horror film Alien (1979), and the Arnold Schwarzenegger science-fiction and action film The Running Man (1987). He portrayed the main villain Dr. Kananga/Mr. Big in the James Bond movie Live and Let Die (1973). He appeared opposite Robert De Niro in the comedy thriller Midnight Run (1988) as FBI Agent Alonzo Mosley.
Known For
King Cohen: The Wild World of Filmmaker Larry Cohen
Self
2018
Witless Protection
Ricardo Bodi
2008
The Beast Within: Making Alien
(archive footage)
2003
Best Ever Bond
Mr. Big / Dr. Kananga (archive footage) (uncredited)
2002
BaadAsssss Cinema
Self
2002
Stiletto Dance
Captain Rick Sands
2001
The Ride
Carter
2000
Homicide: The Movie
Al Giardello
2000
Inside 'Live and Let Die'
1999
The Defenders: Payback
Judge Williams
1997
Two If by Sea
FBI Agent O'Malley
1996
The World of James Bond
1995
Out-of-Sync
Quincy
1995
Deadline for Murder: From the Files of Edna Buchanan
Marty Talbot
1995
Dead Badge
Captain Hunt
1995
The Puppet Masters
Ressler
1994
The Corpse Had a Familiar Face
Detective Martin Talbot
1994
seaQuest DSV
Captain Jack Clayton · (1 episode)
1993
Almost Blue
Terry
1993
Extreme Justice
Larson
1993
It's Nothing Personal
Lt. Tom Riley
1993
Homicide: Life on the Street
Al Giardello · (122 episodes)
1993
The American Clock
1993
Intent to Kill
Captain Jackson
1992
Chrome Soldiers
Perry Beach
1992
Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare
Doc
1991
Hangfire
Police Lieutenant
1991
The Trials of Rosie O'Neill
Kelly · (1 episode)
1990
The Trials of Rosie O'Neill
ADA Kelley · (1 episode)
1990
Law & Order
Al Giardello · (1 episode)
1990
After the Shock
William McElroy
1990
Tripwire
Lee Pitt
1989
Ministry of Vengeance
Mr. Whiteside
1989
Prime Target
Gilmore Brown
1989
The Jigsaw Murders
Doctor Tyrone Fillmore
1989
Father Dowling Mysteries
Lt. Fleming · (1 episode)
1989
A Whisper to a Scream
Jules Tallard
1989
Terminal Entry
Col. Styles
1988
Midnight Run
Alonzo Mosely, Special Agent, F.B.I.
1988
Perry Mason: The Case of the Scandalous Scoundrel
General Sorenson
1987
The Running Man
William Laughlin
1987
In Self Defense
Lt. Tyrell
1987
Desperado
Bede
1987
Pretty Kill
Harris
1987
The Park Is Mine
Eubanks
1986
Eye of the Tiger
J.B. Deveraux
1986
Harem
Agha Kislar
1986
Harem
Agha Kislar · (2 episodes)
1986
The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Convict · (1 episode)
1985
Warning Sign
Major Connolly
1985
Playing with Fire
Fire Chief Walker
1985
Badge of the Assassin
Detective Cliff Fenton NYPD
1985
Murder, She Wrote
Lt. Bradshaw · (1 episode)
1984
Women of San Quentin
Sgt. Therman Patterson
1983
For Love and Honor
Sgt. China Bell
1983
For Love and Honor
(13 episodes)
1983
The Star Chamber
Detective Harry Lowes
1983
The A-Team
Charles Struthers · (1 episode)
1983
Fighting Back
Ivanhoe Washington
1982
A House Divided: Denmark Vessey's Rebellion
Denmark Vessey
1982
Hill Street Blues
Calvin Matthias · (1 episode)
1981
Rage!
Ernie
1980
Brubaker
Richard 'Dickie' Coombes
1980
Othello
Othello
1980
Alien
Parker
1979
Blue Collar
Sam 'Smokey' James
1978
Raid on Entebbe
President Idi Amin - Jr.
1976
The Monkey Hustle
Daddy Foxx
1976
Drum
Blase
1976
Crunch
Richard "Crunch" Blackstone
1976
Friday Foster
Colt Hawkins
1975
Doctors' Hospital
(1 episode)
1975
Sharks' Treasure
Ben Flynn
1975
Report to the Commissioner
Richard 'Crunch' Blackstone
1975
Truck Turner
Blue
1974
Live and Let Die
Kananga/Mr. Big
1973
Bond 1973: The Lost Documentary
Self
1973
Across 110th Street
Lt. William Pope
1972
The Limit
Mark Johnson
1972
Bone
Bone
1972
Man and Boy
Nate Hodges
1971
Night Gallery
Buckner · (1 episode)
1970
Night Chase
Ernie Green
1970
The Liberation of L.B. Jones
Sonny Boy Mosby
1970
Hawaii Five-O
LCpl. John T. Auston · (1 episode)
1968
The Name of the Game
Wyman Jackson · (1 episode)
1968
5 Card Stud
Little George
1968
The Thomas Crown Affair
Carl
1968
Mannix
Gabe Johnson / Gabriel Dillon · (1 episode)
1967
Cowboy in Africa
Musa · (1 episode)
1967
The High Chaparral
Sgt. Major Creason · (1 episode)
1967
Tarzan
(1 episode)
1966
The Big Valley
Lobo Brown · (1 episode)
1965
The Big Valley
Damien · (1 episode)
1965
Nothing But a Man
Jocko
1964
Daniel Boone
Luke · (1 episode)
1964
Daniel Boone
Jonah · (1 episode)
1964
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self · (1 episode)
1962
Bonanza
Child Barnett · (1 episode)
1959
Gunsmoke
Piney Biggs · (1 episode)
1955