Yaphet Kotto

Acting

Yaphet Kotto

Born 1939-11-16 · 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.

Acting credits

Alien poster
8.2

During its return to the earth, commercial spaceship Nostromo intercepts a distress signal from a distant planet. When a three-member team of the crew discovers a chamber containing thousands of eggs on the planet, a creature inside one of the eggs attacks an explorer. The entire crew is unaware of the impending nightmare set to descend upon them when the alien parasite planted inside its unfortunate host is birthed.

Alien

1979

The Running Man poster
6.5

By 2017, the global economy has collapsed and U.S. society has become a totalitarian police state, censoring all cultural activity. The government pacifies the populace by broadcasting a number of game shows in which convicted criminals fight for their lives, including the gladiator-style The Running Man, hosted by the ruthless Damon Killian, where “runners” attempt to evade “stalkers” and certain death for a chance to be pardoned and set free.

The Running Man

1987

Live and Let Die poster
6.5

James Bond must investigate a mysterious murder case of a British agent in New Orleans. Soon he finds himself up against a gangster boss named Mr. Big.

Live and Let Die

1973

Midnight Run poster
7.2

A bounty hunter pursues a former Mafia accountant who is also being chased by a rival bounty hunter, the F.B.I., and his old mob boss after jumping bail.

Midnight Run

1988

Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare poster
5.3

Just when you thought it was safe to sleep, Freddy Krueger returns in this sixth installment of the Nightmare on Elm Street films, as psychologist Maggie Burroughs, tormented by recurring nightmares, meets a patient with the same horrific dreams. Their quest for answers leads to a certain house on Elm Street -- where the nightmares become reality.

Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare

1991

The Thomas Crown Affair poster
6.8

A debonair, adventuresome bank executive believes that he has pulled off the perfect multi-million dollar heist--until he must match wits with an insurance investigator who will do anything to get her man.

The Thomas Crown Affair

1968

Brubaker poster
7.1

The new warden of a small prison farm in Arkansas tries to clean it up of corruption after initially posing as an inmate.

Brubaker

1980

The Puppet Masters poster
5.8

The Midwest USA is invaded by stingray-shaped alien slugs that ride on people's backs and control their minds in order to spread their dominion. Government agency reps Sam Givens, Andrew Nivens, and Mary Sefton must stop the aliens.

The Puppet Masters

1994

Terminal Entry poster
4.1

The USA is attacked by a large group of well organized terrorists who communicate through a computer network via satellite. A bunch of highschool kids has hacked the password and gained access. Believing it's a game they unknowingly cause terror acts all over the country. An anti-terror force fights against the terrorists.

Terminal Entry

1987

Blue Collar poster
7.3

Fed up with mistreatment at the hands of both management and union brass, and coupled with financial hardships on each man's end, three auto assembly line workers hatch a plan to rob a safe at union headquarters.

Blue Collar

1978

The Star Chamber poster
6.0

As violence escalates in Los Angeles and heinous murders are committed, Steven Hardin, a young judge of the California Supreme Court, must struggle with his tortured conscience and growing despair as he watches helplessly as the ruthless criminals brought before his court go free because clever lawyers find obscure loopholes in the law.

The Star Chamber

1983

Women of San Quentin poster
5.0

A young female prison guard finds out that her first assignment is to San Quentin, one of the toughest prisons in the country.

Women of San Quentin

1983

Warning Sign poster
5.9

An accident occurs in an ultra-secret government biological weapons laboratory spreading a sinister bacteria.

Warning Sign

1985

Raid on Entebbe poster
6.0

Based on a true operation by Israeli commandos. An Air France flight is hijacked by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The airplane landed in Uganda. The terrorists released some passengers, keeping 94 Jews and 12 air crew hostage. The Israeli government would not negotiate. A rescue plan was devised, and less than 100 commandos were flown across Africa to rescue the passengers in surprisingly successful operation.

Raid on Entebbe

1976

5 Card Stud poster
6.3

After a card shark is caught cheating, he is taken out and lynched by the drunkards he was playing against. Soon afterwards, the men who were in the lynch mob start being murdered, one after another; all by hanging.

5 Card Stud

1968

The Park Is Mine poster
5.6

A Vietnam vet takes forceful control of Central Park to remember those who served and died in the Vietnam War.

The Park Is Mine

1986

A House Divided: Denmark Vesey's Rebellion poster
7.0

Story of Denmark Vesey, who was raised as a slave but bought his freedom. He organized a plot to seize the city and free the black slaves, but this failed and he and others were hanged. Set in Charleston in 1822.

A House Divided: Denmark Vesey's Rebellion

1982

Two If by Sea poster
5.0

Frank O'Brien, a petty thief, and his 7-year-long girlfriend Roz want to put an end to their unsteady lifestyle and just do that last job, which involves stealing a valuable painting. Frank takes Roz to an island on the coast of New England, where he wants to sell the painting and also hopes that their sagging relationship will get a positive push back up. Not everything goes as planned.

Two If by Sea

1996

Eye of the Tiger poster
6.1

Buck is a Vietnam vet, recently released from prison. He returns home to discover the town being terrorized by a vicious motorcycle gang. When the bikers murder his wife and traumatize his daughter, Buck and his friends arm themselves to the teeth and wage war against the gang to destroy them once and for all.

Eye of the Tiger

1986

Homicide: The Movie poster
6.9

Retired police lieutenant Al Giardello is running for mayor when he is suddenly shot at a press conference. All of the detectives, past and present, clamor for an opportunity to help find the shooter.

Homicide: The Movie

2000

Across 110th Street poster
6.7

In a daring robbery, some $300,000 is taken from the Italian mob. Several mafiosi are killed, as are two policemen. Lt. Pope and Capt. Mattelli are two New York City cops trying to break the case. Three small-time criminals are on the run with the money. Will the mafia catch them first, or will the police?

Across 110th Street

1972

Drum poster
5.2

A mid-19th century mulatto slave is torn between his success as a pit-fighter and the injustices of white society.

Drum

1976

The Liberation of L.B. Jones poster
6.1

A successful African American businessman has a quarrel with a white policeman, suspecting that he is having an affair with his wife. The policeman's colleagues are seeking to avoid publicity.

The Liberation of L.B. Jones

1970

Sharks' Treasure poster
5.3

Eccentric charter skipper Jim Carnahan and his team of hard-luck dreamers battle sharks, bandits and their own greed to recover sunken treasure

Sharks' Treasure

1975

Behind the camera