Mako
Biography
Mako was born in Kobe, Japan, on December 10, 1933. His parents, who were noted children's book author and illustrator Taro Yashima, moved to the United States when Mako was a small child. He joined them there after World War II, in 1949. Mako became a naturalized American citizen in 1956. He studied architecture initially but discovered his theatrical talent during his military service. He trained at the Pasadena Community Playhouse. Mako was married to actress Shizuko Hoshi, with whom he had two daughters, both of whom are actresses. He passed away on July 21, 2006, at the age of 72. Mako is known for his work in acting, with 148 known credits.
Career overview
Mako's acting career spanned multiple decades. He began his training at the Pasadena Community Playhouse during his military service. Mako's early exposure to theater led to the development of his acting talent. He went on to appear in numerous roles throughout his career.
Mako's acting credits include work in various mediums. He was active in the entertainment industry, with a significant number of known credits. His career was marked by a range of performances, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
Mako's personal life and family background influenced his early years. He was born in Kobe, Japan, and moved to the United States with his parents at a young age. His parents were notable figures in their respective fields, with his father being a children's book author and illustrator. Mako's family background and early life experiences likely had an impact on his career choices and personal development.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Mako.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Samurai Jack: The Premiere Movie (2017) as Aku (voice)
- TMNT (2007) as Splinter (voice)
- TMNT (2007) In Memory Of
- Rise: Blood Hunter (2007) as Poe
- Cages (2007) as Tan
- The Slanted Screen (2006) as Himself
- Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005) as Iroh (voice)
- Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) as Sakamoto
- Maid in Akihabara (2005)
- Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! (2004)
- Duck Dodgers (2003) as Happy Cat (voice)
- Duck Dodgers (2003) as Happy Cat / Ah-Choo (voice)
- Bulletproof Monk (2003) as Mr. Kojima
- Black Sash (2003) as Master Li
- Lost at Home (2003)
- Monk (2002) as Master Zi
- What's New, Scooby-Doo? (2002) as The Ancient One (voice)
- Cruel Game (2002) as Straw Hat
- Samurai Jack (2001) as Aku (voice)
- Pearl Harbor (2001) as Admiral Yamamoto
- Rugrats in Paris: The Movie (2000) as Mr. Yamaguchi (voice)
- The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne (2000)
- Conan Unchained: The Making of 'Conan' (2000) as The Wizard (archive footage)
- The West Wing (1999) as Dr. Yosh Takahashi
- Alegría (1999) as Old Momo
- The Accomplice (1999) as Santos
- Martial Law (1998) as Master Reng
- The Bird People in China (1998) as Shen
- Seven Years in Tibet (1997) as Kungo Tsarong
- Riot (1997) as Mr. Lee
- The Sea Wolf (1997)
- 7th Heaven (1996) as Henry Muranaka
- Sworn to Justice (1996) as Mr. Young
- Balance of Power (1996) as Todo Matsumoto
- JAG (1995) as Ichiro Higashimori
- Crying Freeman (1995) as Shudo Shimazaki
- Platypus Man (1995) as Mr. Loo
- Midnight Man (1995) as Buun Som
- Highlander III: The Sorcerer (1994) as Nakano
- A Dangerous Place (1994) as Sensei
- Red Sun Rising (1994) as Buntoro Iga
- Frasier (1993) as Sam Tanaka
- Diagnosis: Murder (1993) as Lee Moy
- Walker, Texas Ranger (1993) as Dr. Henry Lee
- Walker, Texas Ranger (1993) as Edward Song
- Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (1993) as Li Sung
- RoboCop 3 (1993) as Kanemitsu
- Rising Sun (1993) as Yoshida-san
- Sidekicks (1992) as Mr. Lee
- My Samurai (1992)
- Nightingale (1992) as Narrator (voice)
- The Perfect Weapon (1991) as Kim
- Strawberry Road (1991) as Frank Machida
- Pacific Heights (1990) as Toshio Watanabe
- Taking Care of Business (1990) as Mr. Sakamoto
- Hiroshima: Out of the Ashes (1990) as Sgt. Moritaki
- Fatal Mission (1990) as Trang
- Murder in Paradise (1990) as Capt. Kilalo
- The Paradise Club (1989) as Mr. Yamamoto
- An Unremarkable Life (1989) as Max Chin
- Supercarrier (1988)
- Paradise (1988) as Kao
- Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988) as Jimmy
- Silent Assassins (1988) as Oyama
- The Wash (1988) as Nobu Matsumoto
- Tour of Duty (1987) as Tran
- Lovejoy (1986) as Toshiro Tanaka
- P.O.W. The Escape (1986) as Capt. Vinh
- Armed Response (1986) as Akira Tanaka
- Kung Fu: The Movie (1986) as The Manchu
- The Equalizer (1985) as Jimmy Thanarat
- Spenser: For Hire (1985)
- Conan the Destroyer (1984) as Akiro 'The Wizard'
- Hawaiian Heat (1984) as Maj. Taro Oshira
- Hawaiian Heat (1984) as Maj. Taro Oshira
- The A-Team (1983) as Pastry Chef
- Testament (1983) as Mike
- Girls of the White Orchid (1983) as Mori
- The Nightingale (1983) as Gardener / Minister
- The Last Ninja (1983) as Aitaro Sakura
- American Playhouse (1982) as Mike
- American Playhouse (1982) as Nobu Matsumoto
- Faerie Tale Theatre (1982) as Gardener / Minister
- Conan the Barbarian (1982) as The Wizard / Narrator
- Voyagers! (1982)
- Bring 'Em Back Alive (1982)
- The Greatest American Hero (1981) as Master of Flowers
- Flamingo Road (1981)
- The Bushido Blade (1981) as Enjiro
- An Eye for an Eye (1981) as James Chan
- Under the Rainbow (1981) as Nakomuri
- Magnum, P.I. (1980) as Tozan
- The Big Brawl (1980) as Herbert
- Hito Hata: Raise the Banner (1980) as Oda
- The Facts of Life (1979) as Mr. Wakamatsu
- Supertrain (1979) as Kirby Yamashida
- A Man Called Sloane (1979) as Tanaka
- When Hell Was in Session (1979) as Maj. Bai
- The Incredible Hulk (1977) as Li Sung
- Quincy, M.E. (1976) as John Moroshima
- Quincy, M.E. (1976) as Mr. Yamaguchi
- Pacific Overtures (1976) as Reciter/Shogun/Jonathan Goble
- Visions (1976)
- Mr. T and Tina (1976)
- Anatomy of a Song (1976)
- Farewell to Manzanar (1976) as Fukimoto
- Wataridori: Birds of Passage (1976) as Narrator
- Wonder Woman (1975) as Mr. Brown
- The Killer Elite (1975) as Yuen Chung
- Khan! (1975)
- Karate Sensei (1975) as Narrator
- Prisoners (1975) as Sgt. Nguyen
- The Green Hornet (1974) as Low Sing
- The Island at the Top of the World (1974) as Oomiak
- Judge Dee and the Monastery Murders (1974) as Tao Gan
- M*A*S*H (1972) as Major Choi
- Anna and the King (1972) as Sanum
- Yokahama Mama (1972) as Rooster (voice)
- Kung Fu (1972) as Wong Ti Lu
- The Streets of San Francisco (1972) as Kenji
- Columbo (1971) as Kanji Ousu
- Silence (1971) as Kichijiro
- Silence (1971) Production Design
- If Tomorrow Comes (1971) as Tadashi
- The Hawaiians (1970) as Mun Ki
- Fools (1970) as Psychiatrist
- The Challenge (1970) as Yuro
- Love, American Style (1969) as Jack
- Room 222 (1969)
- The Great Bank Robbery (1969) as Secret Agent Fong
- Hawaii Five-O (1968) as Kazuo Tahashi
- The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell (1968) as Calvin Coolidge Ishimura
- Ironside (1967) as Phil Tsang
- Mannix (1967) as Tami Okada
- The Time Tunnel (1966) as Lt. Nakamura
- The Green Hornet (1966) as Low Sing
- The Sand Pebbles (1966) as Po-han
- The Ugly Dachshund (1966) as Kenji
- I Dream of Jeannie (1965) as Kato
- The F.B.I. (1965) as Yoshimura
- The F.B.I. (1965) as Angry Youth (uncredited)
- The Big Valley (1965) as Wong Lo
- F Troop (1965) as Samurai Warrior
- Gidget (1965)
- McHale's Navy Joins the Air Force (1965) as Japanese Submarine Captain (uncredited)
- Broadside (1964) as Captain Osato
- Broadside (1964) as The Japanese Commander
- Burke's Law (1963) as Happy Tuava
- Burke's Law (1963) as Pete
- Arrest and Trial (1963) as Kyoto
- McHale's Navy (1962)
- McHale's Navy (1962) as Lt. Sakawa
- The Gallant Men (1962)
- Ensign O'Toole (1962) as Yamada, Jr.
- The Lloyd Bridges Show (1962) as Akai Takahashi
- Never So Few (1959) as Soldier in Hospital
- 77 Sunset Strip (1958) as Ito Nakayama
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Nominee / Performer