Portrait of Yaphet Kotto

Yaphet Kotto

Bio: 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)
Born: Thu, Nov 16 1939
Birthplace: New York City, New York, U.S.A

Death: Mon, Mar 15 2021
Yaphet Kotto is 81 years old
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Movies (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Poster of King Cohen: The Wild World of Filmmaker Larry Cohen
King Cohen: The Wild World of Filmmaker Larry Cohen
Yaphet Kotto was 78 in King Cohen: The Wild World of Filmmaker Larry Cohen as 'Self'.
Movie Released: Sat, Jul 07 2018
Poster of Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy
Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy
Yaphet Kotto was 70 in Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy as 'Self (archive footage)'.
Movie Released: Tue, May 04 2010
Poster of Witless Protection
Witless Protection
Yaphet Kotto was 68 in Witless Protection as 'Ricardo Bodi'.
Movie Released: Fri, Feb 22 2008
Poster of The Beast Within: Making Alien
The Beast Within: Making Alien
Yaphet Kotto was 64 in The Beast Within: Making Alien as '(archive footage)'.
Movie Released: Tue, Dec 02 2003
Poster of Best Ever Bond
Best Ever Bond
Yaphet Kotto was 63 in Best Ever Bond as 'Mr. Big / Dr. Kananga (archive footage) (uncredited)'.
Movie Released: Fri, Nov 22 2002
Poster of BaadAsssss Cinema
BaadAsssss Cinema
Yaphet Kotto was 62 in BaadAsssss Cinema as 'Self'.
Movie Released: Wed, Aug 14 2002
Poster of Stiletto Dance
Stiletto Dance
Yaphet Kotto was 61 in Stiletto Dance as 'Captain Rick Sands'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jun 08 2001
Poster of The Ride
The Ride
Yaphet Kotto was 60 in The Ride as 'Carter'.
Movie Released: Sun, Aug 27 2000
Poster of Homicide: The Movie
Homicide: The Movie
Yaphet Kotto was 60 in Homicide: The Movie as 'Al Giardello'.
Movie Released: Sun, Feb 13 2000
Poster of Inside 'Live and Let Die'
Inside 'Live and Let Die'
Yaphet Kotto was 59 in Inside 'Live and Let Die'
Movie Released: Fri, Jan 01 1999
Poster of The Defenders: Payback
The Defenders: Payback
Yaphet Kotto was 57 in The Defenders: Payback as 'Judge Williams'.
Movie Released: Sun, Oct 12 1997
Poster of Two If by Sea
Two If by Sea
Yaphet Kotto was 56 in Two If by Sea as 'FBI Agent O'Malley'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jan 12 1996
Poster of The World of James Bond
The World of James Bond
Yaphet Kotto was 55 in The World of James Bond
Movie Released: Sun, Oct 29 1995
Poster of Out-of-Sync
Out-of-Sync
Yaphet Kotto was 55 in Out-of-Sync as 'Quincy'.
Movie Released: Sun, Jun 04 1995
Poster of Deadline for Murder: From the Files of Edna Buchanan
Deadline for Murder: From the Files of Edna Buchanan
Yaphet Kotto was 55 in Deadline for Murder: From the Files of Edna Buchanan as 'Marty Talbot'.
Movie Released: Mon, May 08 1995
Poster of Dead Badge
Dead Badge
Yaphet Kotto was 55 in Dead Badge as 'Captain Hunt'.
Movie Released: Tue, Mar 28 1995
Poster of The Puppet Masters
The Puppet Masters
Yaphet Kotto was 54 in The Puppet Masters as 'Ressler'.
Movie Released: Fri, Oct 21 1994
Poster of The Corpse Had a Familiar Face
The Corpse Had a Familiar Face
Yaphet Kotto was 54 in The Corpse Had a Familiar Face as 'Detective Martin Talbot'.
Movie Released: Sun, Mar 27 1994
Poster of Almost Blue
Almost Blue
Yaphet Kotto was 53 in Almost Blue as 'Terry'.
Movie Released: Wed, Aug 04 1993
Poster of Extreme Justice
Extreme Justice
Yaphet Kotto was 53 in Extreme Justice as 'Larson'.
Movie Released: Sat, Jun 26 1993
Poster of It's Nothing Personal
It's Nothing Personal
Yaphet Kotto was 53 in It's Nothing Personal as 'Lt. Tom Riley'.
Movie Released: Mon, Feb 01 1993
Poster of The American Clock
The American Clock
Yaphet Kotto was 53 in The American Clock
Movie Released: Sat, Jan 02 1993
Poster of Intent to Kill
Intent to Kill
Yaphet Kotto was 52 in Intent to Kill as 'Captain Jackson'.
Movie Released: Thu, Oct 01 1992
Poster of Chrome Soldiers
Chrome Soldiers
Yaphet Kotto was 52 in Chrome Soldiers as 'Perry Beach'.
Movie Released: Wed, May 06 1992
Poster of Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare
Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare
Yaphet Kotto was 51 in Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare as 'Doc'.
Movie Released: Thu, Sep 05 1991
Poster of Hangfire
Hangfire
Yaphet Kotto was 51 in Hangfire as 'Police Lieutenant'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jan 11 1991
Poster of After the Shock
After the Shock
Yaphet Kotto was 50 in After the Shock as 'William McElroy'.
Movie Released: Wed, Sep 12 1990
Poster of Tripwire
Tripwire
Yaphet Kotto was 50 in Tripwire as 'Lee Pitt'.
Movie Released: Thu, Nov 30 1989
Poster of Ministry of Vengeance
Ministry of Vengeance
Yaphet Kotto was 49 in Ministry of Vengeance as 'Mr. Whiteside'.
Movie Released: Fri, Nov 03 1989
Poster of Prime Target
Prime Target
Yaphet Kotto was 49 in Prime Target as 'Gilmore Brown'.
Movie Released: Fri, Sep 29 1989
Poster of The Jigsaw Murders
The Jigsaw Murders
Yaphet Kotto was 49 in The Jigsaw Murders as 'Doctor Tyrone Fillmore'.
Movie Released: Tue, Jul 25 1989
Poster of A Whisper to a Scream
A Whisper to a Scream
Yaphet Kotto was 49 in A Whisper to a Scream as 'Jules Tallard'.
Movie Released: Sun, Jan 01 1989
Poster of Terminal Entry
Terminal Entry
Yaphet Kotto was 48 in Terminal Entry as 'Col. Styles'.
Movie Released: Tue, Jul 26 1988
Poster of Midnight Run
Midnight Run
Yaphet Kotto was 48 in Midnight Run as 'Alonzo Mosely'.
Movie Released: Wed, Jul 20 1988
Poster of Perry Mason: The Case of the Scandalous Scoundrel
Perry Mason: The Case of the Scandalous Scoundrel
Yaphet Kotto was 47 in Perry Mason: The Case of the Scandalous Scoundrel as 'General Sorenson'.
Movie Released: Sun, Nov 15 1987
Poster of The Running Man
The Running Man
Yaphet Kotto was 47 in The Running Man as 'William Laughlin'.
Movie Released: Fri, Nov 13 1987
Poster of In Self Defense
In Self Defense
Yaphet Kotto was 47 in In Self Defense as 'Lt. Tyrell'.
Movie Released: Fri, May 22 1987
Poster of Desperado
Desperado
Yaphet Kotto was 47 in Desperado as 'Bede'.
Movie Released: Mon, Apr 27 1987
Poster of Pretty Kill
Pretty Kill
Yaphet Kotto was 47 in Pretty Kill as 'Harris'.
Movie Released: Fri, Mar 27 1987
Poster of The Park Is Mine
The Park Is Mine
Yaphet Kotto was 46 in The Park Is Mine as 'Eubanks'.
Movie Released: Thu, Jul 24 1986
Poster of Eye of the Tiger
Eye of the Tiger
Yaphet Kotto was 46 in Eye of the Tiger as 'J.B. Deveraux'.
Movie Released: Mon, Jul 07 1986
Poster of Harem
Harem
Yaphet Kotto was 46 in Harem as 'Agha Kislar'.
Movie Released: Sun, Feb 09 1986
Poster of Warning Sign
Warning Sign
Yaphet Kotto was 45 in Warning Sign as 'Major Connolly'.
Movie Released: Fri, Aug 23 1985
Poster of Playing with Fire
Playing with Fire
Yaphet Kotto was 45 in Playing with Fire as 'Fire Chief Walker'.
Movie Released: Sat, Apr 13 1985
Poster of Badge of the Assassin
Badge of the Assassin
Yaphet Kotto was 45 in Badge of the Assassin as 'Detective Cliff Fenton NYPD'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jan 04 1985
Poster of Women of San Quentin
Women of San Quentin
Yaphet Kotto was 43 in Women of San Quentin as 'Sgt. Therman Patterson'.
Movie Released: Sun, Oct 23 1983
Poster of For Love and Honor
For Love and Honor
Yaphet Kotto was 43 in For Love and Honor as 'Sgt. China Bell'.
Movie Released: Fri, Sep 23 1983
Poster of The Star Chamber
The Star Chamber
Yaphet Kotto was 43 in The Star Chamber as 'Detective Harry Lowes'.
Movie Released: Fri, Aug 05 1983
Poster of Fighting Back
Fighting Back
Yaphet Kotto was 42 in Fighting Back as 'Ivanhoe Washington'.
Movie Released: Fri, May 21 1982
Poster of A House Divided: Denmark Vessey's Rebellion
A House Divided: Denmark Vessey's Rebellion
Yaphet Kotto was 42 in A House Divided: Denmark Vessey's Rebellion as 'Denmark Vessey'.
Movie Released: Wed, Feb 17 1982
Poster of Rage!
Rage!
Yaphet Kotto was 40 in Rage! as 'Ernie'.
Movie Released: Thu, Sep 25 1980
Poster of Brubaker
Brubaker
Yaphet Kotto was 40 in Brubaker as 'Richard 'Dickie' Coombes'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jun 20 1980
Poster of Othello
Othello
Yaphet Kotto was 40 in Othello as 'Othello'.
Movie Released: Tue, Jan 01 1980
Poster of Alien
Alien
Yaphet Kotto was 39 in Alien as 'Parker'.
Movie Released: Fri, May 25 1979
Poster of Blue Collar
Blue Collar
Yaphet Kotto was 38 in Blue Collar as 'Sam 'Smokey' James'.
Movie Released: Fri, Feb 10 1978
Poster of Raid on Entebbe
Raid on Entebbe
Yaphet Kotto was 37 in Raid on Entebbe as 'President Idi Amin - Jr.'.
Movie Released: Sun, Dec 26 1976
Poster of The Monkey Hustle
The Monkey Hustle
Yaphet Kotto was 37 in The Monkey Hustle as 'Daddy Foxx'.
Movie Released: Fri, Dec 24 1976
Poster of Drum
Drum
Yaphet Kotto was 36 in Drum as 'Blase'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jul 30 1976
Poster of Crunch
Crunch
Yaphet Kotto was 36 in Crunch as 'Richard "Crunch" Blackstone'.
Movie Released: Thu, Jan 01 1976
Poster of Friday Foster
Friday Foster
Yaphet Kotto was 36 in Friday Foster as 'Colt Hawkins'.
Movie Released: Thu, Dec 25 1975
Poster of Sharks' Treasure
Sharks' Treasure
Yaphet Kotto was 35 in Sharks' Treasure as 'Ben Flynn'.
Movie Released: Fri, Apr 18 1975
Poster of Report to the Commissioner
Report to the Commissioner
Yaphet Kotto was 35 in Report to the Commissioner as 'Richard 'Crunch' Blackstone'.
Movie Released: Wed, Feb 05 1975
Poster of Truck Turner
Truck Turner
Yaphet Kotto was 34 in Truck Turner as 'Blue'.
Movie Released: Wed, Jun 26 1974
Poster of Live and Let Die
Live and Let Die
Yaphet Kotto was 33 in Live and Let Die as 'Kananga/Mr. Big'.
Movie Released: Wed, Jun 27 1973
Poster of Bond 1973: The Lost Documentary
Bond 1973: The Lost Documentary
Yaphet Kotto was 33 in Bond 1973: The Lost Documentary as 'Self'.
Movie Released: Thu, Jun 21 1973
Poster of Across 110th Street
Across 110th Street
Yaphet Kotto was 33 in Across 110th Street as 'Lt. William Pope'.
Movie Released: Tue, Dec 19 1972
Poster of The Limit
The Limit
Yaphet Kotto was 32 in The Limit as 'Mark Johnson'.
Movie Released: Fri, Nov 10 1972
Poster of Bone
Bone
Yaphet Kotto was 32 in Bone as 'Bone'.
Movie Released: Sat, Jul 01 1972
Poster of Man and Boy
Man and Boy
Yaphet Kotto was 31 in Man and Boy as 'Nate Hodges'.
Movie Released: Wed, Jun 23 1971
Poster of Night Chase
Night Chase
Yaphet Kotto was 31 in Night Chase as 'Ernie Green'.
Movie Released: Fri, Nov 20 1970
Poster of The Liberation of L.B. Jones
The Liberation of L.B. Jones
Yaphet Kotto was 30 in The Liberation of L.B. Jones as 'Sonny Boy Mosby'.
Movie Released: Wed, Mar 18 1970
Poster of 5 Card Stud
5 Card Stud
Yaphet Kotto was 28 in 5 Card Stud as 'Little George'.
Movie Released: Sun, Jul 28 1968
Poster of The Thomas Crown Affair
The Thomas Crown Affair
Yaphet Kotto was 28 in The Thomas Crown Affair as 'Carl'.
Movie Released: Wed, Jun 26 1968
Poster of Nothing But a Man
Nothing But a Man
Yaphet Kotto was 25 in Nothing But a Man as 'Jocko'.
Movie Released: Sun, Dec 27 1964

TV Shows (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Ages in TV shows are based off the first air date and may not be accurate. View individual episode details for accurate ages
Poster of seaQuest DSV
seaQuest DSV
Yaphet Kotto was 53+ in seaQuest DSV as 'Captain Jack Clayton'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Sep 12 1993
Poster of Homicide: Life on the Street
Homicide: Life on the Street
Yaphet Kotto was 53+ in Homicide: Life on the Street as 'Al Giardello'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Jan 31 1993
Poster of Law & Order
Law & Order
Yaphet Kotto was 50+ in Law & Order as 'Al Giardello'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Sep 13 1990
Poster of Father Dowling Mysteries
Father Dowling Mysteries
Yaphet Kotto was 49+ in Father Dowling Mysteries as 'Lt. Fleming'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Jan 20 1989
Poster of Harem
Harem
Yaphet Kotto was 46+ in Harem as 'Agha Kislar'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Feb 09 1986
Poster of The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents
The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Yaphet Kotto was 45+ in The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents as 'Convict'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Sep 29 1985
Poster of Murder, She Wrote
Murder, She Wrote
Yaphet Kotto was 44+ in Murder, She Wrote as 'Lt. Bradshaw'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Sep 30 1984
Poster of For Love and Honor
For Love and Honor
Yaphet Kotto was 43+ in For Love and Honor
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Sep 23 1983
Poster of The A-Team
The A-Team
Yaphet Kotto was 43+ in The A-Team as 'Charles Struthers'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Jan 23 1983
Poster of Hill Street Blues
Hill Street Blues
Yaphet Kotto was 41+ in Hill Street Blues as 'Calvin Matthias'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Jan 15 1981
Poster of Doctors' Hospital
Doctors' Hospital
Yaphet Kotto was 35+ in Doctors' Hospital
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Wed, Sep 10 1975
Poster of Night Gallery
Night Gallery
Yaphet Kotto was 31+ in Night Gallery
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Wed, Dec 16 1970
Poster of The Name of the Game
The Name of the Game
Yaphet Kotto was 28+ in The Name of the Game as 'Wyman Jackson'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Sep 20 1968
Poster of Hawaii Five-O
Hawaii Five-O
Yaphet Kotto was 28+ in Hawaii Five-O as 'LCpl. John T. Auston'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Sep 20 1968
Poster of Mannix
Mannix
Yaphet Kotto was 27+ in Mannix
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Sep 16 1967
Poster of Cowboy in Africa
Cowboy in Africa
Yaphet Kotto was 27+ in Cowboy in Africa
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Sep 11 1967
Poster of The High Chaparral
The High Chaparral
Yaphet Kotto was 27+ in The High Chaparral as 'Sgt. Major Creason'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Sep 10 1967
Poster of Tarzan
Tarzan
Yaphet Kotto was 26+ in Tarzan
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Sep 08 1966
Poster of The Big Valley
The Big Valley
Yaphet Kotto was 25+ in The Big Valley as 'Lobo Brown, Damien'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Wed, Sep 15 1965
Poster of Daniel Boone
Daniel Boone
Yaphet Kotto was 24+ in Daniel Boone as 'Luke, Jonah'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Sep 24 1964
Poster of Bonanza
Bonanza
Yaphet Kotto was 19+ in Bonanza as 'Child Barnett'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Sep 12 1959
Poster of Gunsmoke
Gunsmoke
Yaphet Kotto was 15+ in Gunsmoke as 'Piney Biggs'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Sep 10 1955