Yaphet Kotto
ActingAbout Yaphet Kotto
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.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Yaphet Kotto reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Yaphet Kotto's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 36% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Yaphet Kotto remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in For Love and Honor, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Yaphet Kotto Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Yaphet Kotto's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Yaphet Kotto.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | King Cohen: The Wild World of Filmmaker Larry Cohen | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 2002 | BaadAsssss Cinema | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 2000 | Homicide: The Movie | Al Giardello | Hit | Similar → |
| 1999 | Inside 'Live and Let Die' | - | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1996 | Two If by Sea | FBI Agent O'Malley | Flop | Similar → |
| 1995 | The World of James Bond | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1995 | Deadline for Murder: From the Files of Edna Buchanan | Marty Talbot | Flop | Similar → |
| 1995 | Dead Badge | Captain Hunt | Hit | Similar → |
| 1994 | The Puppet Masters | Ressler | Average | Similar → |
| 1993 | Almost Blue | Terry | Hit | Similar → |
| 1993 | The American Clock | Isaac | Flop | Similar → |
| 1991 | Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare | Doc | Flop | Similar → |
| 1990 | After the Shock | William McElroy | Average | Similar → |
| 1989 | Prime Target | Gilmore Brown | Flop | Similar → |
| 1988 | Midnight Run | Alonzo Mosely, Special Agent, F.B.I. | Hit | Similar → |
| 1987 | Perry Mason: The Case of the Scandalous Scoundrel | General Sorenson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1987 | The Running Man | William Laughlin | Hit | Similar → |
| 1987 | In Self Defense | Lt. Tyrell | Flop | Similar → |
| 1986 | The Park Is Mine | Eubanks | Average | Similar → |
| 1986 | Eye of the Tiger | J.B. Deveraux | Average | Similar → |
| 1986 | Harem | Agha Kislar | Flop | Similar → |
| 1985 | Warning Sign | Major Connolly | Average | Similar → |
| 1985 | Playing with Fire | Fire Chief Walker | Average | Similar → |
| 1985 | Badge of the Assassin | Detective Cliff Fenton NYPD | Flop | Similar → |
| 1983 | For Love and Honor | Sgt. China Bell | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1983 | The Star Chamber | Detective Harry Lowes | Average | Similar → |
| 1982 | Fighting Back | Ivanhoe Washington | Average | Similar → |
| 1982 | A House Divided: Denmark Vesey's Rebellion | Denmark Vessey | Average | Similar → |
| 1980 | Rage! | Ernie | Hit | Similar → |
| 1980 | Brubaker | Richard 'Dickie' Coombes | Hit | Similar → |
| 1980 | Othello | Othello | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1979 | Alien | Parker | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1978 | Blue Collar | Sam 'Smokey' James | Hit | Similar → |
| 1976 | Raid on Entebbe | President Idi Amin - Jr. | Average | Similar → |
| 1976 | The Monkey Hustle | Daddy Foxx | Average | Similar → |
| 1976 | Drum | Blase | Flop | Similar → |
| 1975 | Friday Foster | Colt Hawkins | Average | Similar → |
| 1975 | Sharks' Treasure | Ben Flynn | Flop | Similar → |
| 1975 | Report to the Commissioner | Richard 'Crunch' Blackstone | Hit | Similar → |
| 1974 | Truck Turner | Blue | Average | Similar → |
| 1973 | Live and Let Die | Kananga/Mr. Big | Hit | Similar → |
| 1973 | Bond 1973: The Lost Documentary | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1972 | Across 110th Street | Lt. William Pope | Hit | Similar → |
| 1972 | Bone | Bone | Average | Similar → |
| 1971 | Man and Boy | Nate Hodges | Average | Similar → |
| 1970 | Night Chase | Ernie Green | Average | Similar → |
| 1970 | The Liberation of L.B. Jones | Sonny Boy Mosby | Average | Similar → |
| 1968 | 5 Card Stud | Little George | Average | Similar → |
| 1968 | The Thomas Crown Affair | Carl | Hit | Similar → |
| 1964 | Nothing But a Man | Jocko | Hit | Similar → |
Yaphet Kotto - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Yaphet Kotto?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Yaphet Kotto is "For Love and Honor" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Yaphet Kotto acted in?
Yaphet Kotto has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Yaphet Kotto?
Other notable films include "Alien", "Othello", and "Inside 'Live and Let Die'".