He was 81 years old.
LAmerican actor Yaphet Kotto has died at the age of 81, US media reported on Tuesday. He had become famous as Dr. Kananga, the first black-skinned “bad guy” in a James Bond film (Live and Let Die, in 1973).
In it, Yaphet Kotto faces off against Roger Moore, who makes his debut as Agent 007. The black actor has played not only the corrupt Caribbean dictator Kananga, but also his paranoid alter ego, Mr. Big.
He also played one of the main roles in Alien, a science fiction classic, in 1979. He played the role of engineer Dennis Parker. And in 1987 he starred alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger as William Laughlin in the futuristic thriller The Running Man.
Yaphet Kotto has also been seen a lot in television series. His main role was that of Al Giardello in the hit NBC series. Homicide (1993-1999). The actor also spent a lot of time on stage in the theater, especially at the start of his career in New York.