Author Topic: R.I.P. Mako (1933-2006) (Read 1743 times)

JFC · « **on:** July 23, 2006, 08:23:05 AM »

In many of his roles he's simply credited as "Mako". He spent life resisting stereotypes.

Mako passed away this past Friday, June 21st, 2006, losing a battle to esophogeal cancer. He was 72.

Quote from: WIKI

Mako Iwamatsu (born Iwamatsu Makoto) on December 10, 1933, was a Japanese-American actor. He was born in Kobe, Japan, moved to the United States of America in the late 1940s and joined the military in the 1950s. He became a naturalized citizen in 1956. His first cinema role was in the 1959 film Never So Few. Many of his acting roles to date credited him simply as "Mako", omitting his surname.

He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 1966 film The Sand Pebbles, and for a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for the 1976 musical Pacific Overtures.

He was also known for his role as the Wizard opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in the two Conan movies Conan the Barbarian and Conan the Destroyer. In 2001 he appeared as Admiral Yamamoto in Pearl Harbor. In 2005, Mako had a cameo role in Memoirs of a Geisha.

He has a motion picture star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7095 Hollywood Blvd.

Cartoon fans may know him as the voice actor of the evil demon Aku in the animated series Samurai Jack, and the parody of Aku, Achoo, in Duck Dodgers, as well as Uncle Iroh in Avatar: The Last Airbender. He guest-starred in the episode "A Good Day" of The West Wing as an economics professor and former rival of President Bartlet.

Mako died on July 21st 2006 after a long battle with cancer. Prior to his death, Mako had been recently confirmed to star in the newest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film, providing the voice of Splinter.

Wiki page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mako_%28actor%29

tivx · « **Reply #1 on:** July 23, 2006, 08:31:23 AM »

whaaa? he died?

thanks for entertaining us for all these years man,

Rest In Peace.......

Mugen · « **Reply #2 on:** July 23, 2006, 09:12:28 AM »

OMG!!! I know him!!!

RIP -.-

Masa · « **Reply #3 on:** July 23, 2006, 09:17:05 AM »

R.I.P.

Samurai Jack is one of the greatest cartoons ever and Aku was one helluva character thanks to Mako

Saburo · « **Reply #4 on:** July 23, 2006, 09:43:59 AM »

Wow, I never knew he was nominated for an Oscar. Interesting.

He also logged more than his share of M*A*S*H episodes.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Damaramu · « **Reply #5 on:** July 24, 2006, 01:01:36 AM »

Aw man, this bums me out! RIP Mako. Thanks for the memories!