Actor Yaphet Kotto, who is best known for his role in Alien and James Bond villain Mr. Big, has passed away at age 81.
“I’m saddened and still in shocked of the passing of my husband Yaphet of 24 years. He died last night around 10:30pm Philippine time,” Katto’s wife, Sinahon Thessa, wrote on Facebook last night. “You played a villain on some of your movies but for me you’re a real hero and to a lot of people also. A good man, a good father, a good husband and a decent human being, very rare to find. One of the best actor in Hollywood a Legend. Rest in Peace Honey, I’m gonna miss you everyday, my bestfriend, my rock.”
Yaphet Kotto, who was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for his performance in Raid on Antebbe in 1977 and multiple Image Awards for his work on “Homicide: Life on the Street” throughout the mid-late 1990s, notably played the villain Dr. Kananga/Mr. Big in the 1973 James Bond Movie Live and Let Die, and he also starred in many other films from the 1960s through 2008 including The Thomas Crown Affair, Across 110th Street, Brubaker, The Star Chamber, Warning Sign, The Running Man, Midnight Run, Extreme Justice, Two If By Sea, and Witness Protection.
In addition to his memorable role in Alien, Yaphet Kotto would later return to the horror genre in 1991’s Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare, playing the character named Doc.
