Mako
Acting • Born 1933-12-10 – Died 2006-07-21
Biography
Mako was born in Kobe, Japan, the son of noted children's book author and illustrator Taro Yashima. His parents moved to the United States when he was a small child. He joined them there after World War II, in 1949, joining the military in the 1950s. He became a naturalized American citizen in 1956. When Mako first joined his parents in the USA, he studied architecture. During his military service, he discovered his theatrical talent, and trained at the Pasadena Community Playhouse. Mako was married to actress Shizuko Hoshi with whom he had two daughters (both are actresses) and three grandchildren.
Filmography
150 credits
Seven Years in Tibet
Movie • 1997
Kungo Tsarong
TMNT
Movie • 2007
Splinter (voice)
Pearl Harbor
Movie • 2001
Isoroku Yamamoto
Rise: Blood Hunter
Movie • 2007
Poe
Hito Hata: Raise the Banner
Movie • 1980
Oda
Pacific Heights
Movie • 1990
Toshio Watanabe
RoboCop 3
Movie • 1993
Kanemitsu
The Sand Pebbles
Movie • 1966
Po-han
Sidekicks
Movie • 1992
Mr. Lee
Bulletproof Monk
Movie • 2003
Mr. Kojima
Highlander III: The Sorcerer
Movie • 1994
Nakano
The Killer Elite
Movie • 1975
Yuen Chung
Rising Sun
Movie • 1993
Yoshida-san
Conan the Destroyer
Movie • 1984
Akiro 'The Wizard'
Conan the Barbarian
Movie • 1982
The Wizard / Narrator
Tucker: The Man and His Dream
Movie • 1988
Jimmy
Silent Assassins
Movie • 1988
Oyama
The Bird People in China
Movie • 1998
Shen
Cages
Movie • 2007
Tan
The Island at the Top of the World
Movie • 1974
Oomiak
An Eye for an Eye
Movie • 1981
James Chan
The Last Ninja
Movie • 1983
Aitaro Sakura
Rugrats in Paris: The Movie
Movie • 2000
Mr. Yamaguchi (voice)
The Challenge
Movie • 1970
Yuro
Under the Rainbow
Movie • 1981
Nakomuri
Kung Fu: The Movie
Movie • 1986
The Manchu
Armed Response
Movie • 1986
Akira Tanaka
The Big Brawl
Movie • 1980
Herbert
Silence
Movie • 1971
Kichijiro
Sworn to Justice
Movie • 1996
Mr. Young
The Hawaiians
Movie • 1970
Mun Ki
Cruel Game
Movie • 2002
Straw Hat
P.O.W. The Escape
Movie • 1986
Capt. Vinh
Girls of the White Orchid
Movie • 1983
Mori
The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell
Movie • 1968
Calvin Coolidge Ishimura
Red Sun Rising
Movie • 1994
Buntoro Iga
The Wash
Movie • 1988
Nobu Matsumoto
The Great Bank Robbery
Movie • 1969
Secret Agent Fong
Conan Unchained: The Making of 'Conan'
Movie • 2000
The Wizard (archive footage)
The Bushido Blade
Movie • 1981
Enjiro
The Sea Wolf
Movie • 1997
Fatal Mission
Movie • 1990
Trang
Midnight Man
Movie • 1995
Buun Som
Judge Dee and the Monastery Murders
Movie • 1974
Tao Gan
An Unremarkable Life
Movie • 1989
Max Chin
The Green Hornet
Movie • 1974
Low Sing
Nightingale
Movie • 1992
Narrator (voice)
The Slanted Screen
Movie • 2006
Himself
A Dangerous Place
Movie • 1994
Sensei
Hawaiian Heat
Movie • 1984
Maj. Taro Oshira
Prisoners
Movie • 1975
Sgt. Nguyen
Never So Few
Movie • 1959
Soldier in Hospital
McHale's Navy Joins the Air Force
Movie • 1965
Japanese Submarine Captain (uncredited)
Balance of Power
Movie • 1996
Todo Matsumoto
Testament
Movie • 1983
Mike
When Hell Was in Session
Movie • 1979
Maj. Bai
Farewell to Manzanar
Movie • 1976
Fukimoto
Wataridori: Birds of Passage
Movie • 1976
Narrator
Yokahama Mama
Movie • 1972
Rooster (voice)
The Perfect Weapon
Movie • 1991
Kim
Taking Care of Business
Movie • 1990
Mr. Sakamoto
Crying Freeman
Movie • 1995
Shudo Shimazaki
My Samurai
Movie • 1992
The Ugly Dachshund
Movie • 1966
Kenji
Pacific Overtures
Movie • 1976
Reciter/Shogun/Jonathan Goble
The Nightingale
Movie • 1983
Gardener / Minister
Samurai Jack: The Premiere Movie
Movie • 2017
Aku (voice)
Hiroshima: Out of the Ashes
Movie • 1990
Sgt. Moritaki
Murder in Paradise
Movie • 1990
Capt. Kilalo
Strawberry Road
Movie • 1991
Frank Machida
The Accomplice
Movie • 1999
Santos
Alegría
Movie • 1999
Old Momo
Memoirs of a Geisha
Movie • 2005
Sakamoto
Fools
Movie • 1970
Psychiatrist
If Tomorrow Comes
Movie • 1971
Tadashi
Riot
Movie • 1997
Mr. Lee
The Time Tunnel
TV • 1966
Lt. Nakamura
The Gallant Men
TV • 1962
Columbo
TV • 1971
Kanji Ousu
Avatar: The Last Airbender
TV • 2005
Iroh (voice)
The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne
TV • 2000
M*A*S*H
TV • 1972
Major Choi
Supertrain
TV • 1979
77 Sunset Strip
TV • 1958
Ito Nakayama
Burke's Law
TV • 1963
Happy Tuava
Martial Law
TV • 1998
Master Reng
Spenser: For Hire
TV • 1985
Kung Fu: The Legend Continues
TV • 1993
Li Sung
Kung Fu
TV • 1972
Wong Ti Lu
F Troop
TV • 1965
Samurai Warrior
The A-Team
TV • 1983
Pastry Chef
Gidget
TV • 1965
The Facts of Life
TV • 1979
Mr. Wakamatsu
The F.B.I.
TV • 1965
Yoshimura
Love, American Style
TV • 1969
Jack
I Dream of Jeannie
TV • 1965
Kato
Monk
TV • 2002
Master Zi
The Greatest American Hero
TV • 1981
Master of Flowers
Hawaii Five-O
TV • 1968
Kazuo Tahashi
Flamingo Road
TV • 1981
Walker, Texas Ranger
TV • 1993
Dr. Henry Lee
Room 222
TV • 1969
Mannix
TV • 1967
Tami Okada
Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!
TV • 2004
Frasier
TV • 1993
Sam Tanaka
Diagnosis: Murder
TV • 1993
Lee Moy
A Man Called Sloane
TV • 1979
Tanaka
Platypus Man
TV • 1995
Mr. Loo
The Equalizer
TV • 1985
Jimmy Thanarat
Wonder Woman
TV • 1975
Mr. Brown
JAG
TV • 1995
Ichiro Higashimori
Voyagers!
TV • 1982
7th Heaven
TV • 1996
Henry Muranaka
Lovejoy
TV • 1986
Toshiro Tanaka
Ironside
TV • 1967
Phil Tsang
Khan!
TV • 1975
Maid in Akihabara
TV • 2005
Anna and the King
TV • 1972
Paradise
TV • 1988
Kao
Tour of Duty
TV • 1987
Tran
Bring 'Em Back Alive
TV • 1982
McHale's Navy
TV • 1962
Mr. T and Tina
TV • 1976
The Big Valley
TV • 1965
Wong Lo
Black Sash
TV • 2003
Supercarrier
TV • 1988
Hawaiian Heat
TV • 1984
Maj. Taro Oshira
The Lloyd Bridges Show
TV • 1962
Akai Takahashi
The Green Hornet
TV • 1966
Low Sing
Visions
TV • 1976
Lost at Home
TV • 2003
The West Wing
TV • 1999
Dr. Yosh Takahashi
Samurai Jack
TV • 2001
Aku (voice)
Duck Dodgers
TV • 2003
Happy Cat / Ah-Choo (voice)
Duck Dodgers
TV • 2003
Happy Cat (voice)
Burke's Law
TV • 1963
Pete
Faerie Tale Theatre
TV • 1982
Gardener / Minister
Ensign O'Toole
TV • 1962
Yamada, Jr.
The Paradise Club
TV • 1989
Mr. Yamamoto
Quincy, M.E.
TV • 1976
Mr. Yamaguchi
Quincy, M.E.
TV • 1976
John Moroshima
Broadside
TV • 1964
The Japanese Commander
Broadside
TV • 1964
Captain Osato
Arrest and Trial
TV • 1963
Kyoto
What's New, Scooby-Doo?
TV • 2002
The Ancient One (voice)
The F.B.I.
TV • 1965
Angry Youth (uncredited)
Walker, Texas Ranger
TV • 1993
Edward Song
The Incredible Hulk
TV • 1977
Li Sung
McHale's Navy
TV • 1962
Lt. Sakawa
Magnum, P.I.
TV • 1980
Tozan