Kotto died on March 14 at 10:30 p.m. local time in the Philippines, where he lived with his wife, Goldhar said. No information was provided on the cause of death.
Kotto’s on-screen oeuvre began in the late 1960s and remained stable throughout the 1990s. During that time, he amassed a series of memorable roles that speak to his transformative talent.
His notable film work includes roles on “Alien,” “The Running Man,” “Midnight Run,” and “Live and Let Die,” featuring iconic Bond villain Mr. Big played.
On television, his longest-running role was that of Lt. Al Giardello in NBC’s “Homicide: Life on the Street.”
“Yaphet Kotto. My mother’s favorite,” director Ava DuVernay continued TwitterHe’s one of those actors who deserved more than the roles he got. But he took those roles and made them great anyway. A star. Rest well, sir. ‘
Television producer David Simon added: “Memories and respects for Yaphet Kotto, whose film career was already a legend before he came to Baltimore to venerate our television drama. But to me he will always be Al Giardello, the most unlikely Sicilian, who gently pulls down the blinds in the office. with detectives in his squad room. ”