Yaphet Kotto

Yaphet Frederick Kotto was an esteemed American actor, best known for his role as Lieutenant Al Giardello in the NBC television series Homicide: Life on the Street and as Parker, the chief engineer, in the iconic horror film Alien. Yaphet passed away on March 15, 2021, in the Philippines. The cause of his death remains unknown.

Early Life

Yaphet Kotto was born on November 15, 1939, in New York City, New York, to mother Gladys Marie, a nurse and U.S. Army officer, and father Avraham Kotto, a businessman from Cameroon who immigrated to the U.S. in the 1920s. His parents divorced when he was just 3 years old, and his mother remarried, adding three half-sisters to his family: Antoinette, Deborah, and Leontine.

By age 16, Yaphet was enrolled in acting school at the Actors Mobile Theatre Studio. At 19, he made his professional debut. He was also a member of the Actors Studio in New York.

Yaphet Kotto’s Career

Kotto’s acting career began in earnest when he was 19, making his debut in Othello. Soon, he was performing on Broadway in productions like The Great White Hope. At 23, he made his film debut in 4 for Texas, followed by a supporting role in The Thomas Crown Affair.

In 1973, Kotto appeared as the villain Mr. Big in the James Bond film Live and Let Die, solidifying his place in Hollywood. He followed this with roles in Across 110th Street, Truck Turner, and the television film Raid on Entebbe.

In 1978, Kotto starred as Parker in the sci-fi horror classic Alien, a role that earned him widespread recognition. He went on to star in the drama Brubaker (1980), guest-starred on The A-Team, and appeared in films like The Running Man and Midnight Run alongside Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin.

From 1993 to 1999, Kotto portrayed Lieutenant Al Giardello in Homicide: Life on the Street, a role that further cemented his reputation in television.

Family and Personal Life

Kotto married three times. His first marriage was to German immigrant Rita Ingrid Dittman in 1959, with whom he had three children. They divorced in 1976. In 1975, Kotto married actress Toni Pettyjohn, and they had three children before divorcing in 1989. His third wife, Tessie Sinahon, whom he married in 1998, was with him until his death in 2021.

Kotto’s children largely remained out of the public eye, though his son Fred Kotto is a police officer in San José. Kotto did not have social media accounts, preferring to keep his personal life private.

Cause of Death

Yaphet Kotto passed away on March 15, 2021, in the Philippines. His wife, Tessie Sinahon, shared the news of his death on Facebook, though the cause remained undisclosed.

Yaphet Kotto’s Net Worth

At the time of his death, Yaphet Kotto had an estimated net worth of $5 million. His diverse career as an actor, voice artist, record producer, director, and writer contributed to his wealth. Kotto was also in the process of releasing a book, which was mentioned by his wife.

Trivia

• Kotto was once considered for the role of Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek, a role that eventually went to Patrick Stewart.
• In 1967, he released a single titled “Have You Ever Seen The Blues” / “Have You Dug His Scene” through Chisa Records.
• Kotto’s father was a Cameroonian crown prince.
• He authored The Royalty: A Spiritual Awakening, published in 1999.

Yaphet Kotto’s contributions to film and television will forever be remembered, and his legacy continues to inspire audiences worldwide.