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.
Awards & recognition
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Tony Award — Best Actor in a Musical · 1976 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actor · 1967 · nominated
Filmography50+ titles
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Samurai Jack
The West Wing
Tour of Duty
Columbo
Monk
M*A*S*H
What's New, Scooby-Doo?
I Dream of Jeannie
Frasier
Kung Fu
Memoirs of a Geisha
The Time Tunnel
The A-Team
Voyagers!
Quincy, M.E.
If Tomorrow Comes
Duck Dodgers
Lovejoy
Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!
JAG
Magnum, P.I.
The Green Hornet
Seven Years in Tibet
The Greatest American Hero
The Incredible Hulk
Silence
Hawaii Five-O
The Sand Pebbles
Diagnosis: Murder
The Facts of Life
Walker, Texas Ranger
Wonder Woman
Pearl Harbor
Spenser: For Hire
Ironside
Conan the Barbarian
Mannix
Gidget
Rugrats in Paris
Tucker: The Man and His Dream
The Ugly Dachshund
The Great Bank Robbery
The Island at the Top of the World
7th Heaven
Testament
A Dangerous Place
The Perfect Weapon
Taking Care of Business
Pacific Heights