Yaphet Kotto, the veteran actor known for his performances in “Alien,” the James Bond film “Live and Let Die” and the television series “Homicide: Life on the Street,” died March 15. He was 81.
Kotto famously played technician Dennis Parker in 1979’s “Alien” and William Laughlin alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in “The Running Man.” He had a strong career in television as well, playing Al Giardello in the NBC series “Homicide: Life on the Street.”
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Alien
Yaphet Kotto played chief engineer Parker in the 1979 Ridley Scott classic, after making an impression as the Bond villain in “Live and Let Die.”
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Live and Let Die
In 1973’s “Live and Let Die,” Kotto had two roles: corrupt Caribbean dictator Dr. Kananga and his drug pushing alter ego Mr. Big. Kotto’s dapper version of the character dispensed with the physical grotesqueries described in the original novel, adding a dose of stylish villainy.
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Homicide: Life on the Street
Kotto returned to law enforcement roles as Lieutenant Al Giardello in the long-running police series “Homicide: Life on the Street.” He won several Image Awards for his role.
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Midnight Run
In Martin Brest’s 1989 action comedy “Midnight Run,” Kotto plays FBI special agent Alonzo Mosely.
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Blue Collar
In Paul Schrader’s 1988 “Blue Collar,” Kotto played an auto worker alongside Richard Pryor and Harvey Keitel.
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Across 110th Street
Kotto co-starred as police lieutenant William Pope alongside Anthony Quinn in the 1972 Harlem-set crime film.
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Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare
Also known as “The Nightmare on Elm Street Part 6,” the horror film co-stars Kotto as Doc, who works in a shelter for troubled teens.
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Brubaker
Robert Redford is an undercover prison warden and Yaphet Kotto is one of the prisoners in the hard-hitting 1980 “Brubaker.”
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The Star Chamber
Kotto plays a law officer yet again in the 1983 drama “The Star Chamber.” As detective Harry Lowes, he must convince Michael Douglas’ judge character not to have a suspected murderer assassinated.
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The Running Man
Loosely based on a novel written by Stephen King under the name Richard Bachman, sci-fi movie “The Running Man” starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and co-starred Kotto as a resistance fighter.