Mako
Known for Acting · 146 credits
- Born
- 1933-12-10
- Died
- 2006-07-21
- Place of birth
- Kobe, Japan
- Also known as
- Mako Iwamatsu · Mako Wakamatsu · Μάκο Ιβαμάτσου · Iwamatsu Mako · 岩松信 · マコ岩松
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.
Known For
TV Shows (68)
Columbo
1971
as Kanji Ousu
Monk
2002
as Master Zi
Frasier
1993
as Sam Tanaka
JAG
1995
as Ichiro Higashimori
The West Wing
1999
as Dr. Yosh Takahashi
Diagnosis: Murder
1993
as Lee Moy
Mannix
1967
as Tami Okada
Ironside
1967
as Phil Tsang
Hawaii Five-O
1968
as Kazuo Tahashi
M*A*S*H
1972
as Major Choi
The A-Team
1983
as Pastry Chef
Magnum, P.I.
1980
as Tozan
Love, American Style
1969
as Jack
Tony Awards
1956
as Self - Nominee / Performer
Quincy, M.E.
1976
as Mr. Yamaguchi / John Moroshima
The Equalizer
1985
as Jimmy Thanarat
Tour of Duty
1987
as Tran
Samurai Jack
2001
as Aku (voice)
The Facts of Life
1979
as Mr. Wakamatsu
I Dream of Jeannie
1965
as Kato
Walker, Texas Ranger
1993
as Dr. Henry Lee / Edward Song
Avatar: The Last Airbender
2005
as Iroh (voice)
The F.B.I.
1965
as Yoshimura / Angry Youth (uncredited)
The Big Valley
1965
as Wong Lo
7th Heaven
1996
as Henry Muranaka
Martial Law
1998
as Master Reng
The Incredible Hulk
1977
as Li Sung
Burke's Law
1963
as Happy Tuava / Pete
Duck Dodgers
2003
as Happy Cat / Ah-Choo (voice) / Happy Cat (voice)
77 Sunset Strip
1958
as Ito Nakayama
What's New, Scooby-Doo?
2002
as The Ancient One (voice)
Kung Fu: The Legend Continues
1993
as Li Sung
Room 222
1969
Faerie Tale Theatre
1982
as Gardener / Minister
The Time Tunnel
1966
as Lt. Nakamura
Lovejoy
1986
as Toshiro Tanaka
Spenser: For Hire
1985
The Greatest American Hero
1981
as Master of Flowers
Wonder Woman
1975
as Mr. Brown
McHale's Navy
1962
as Lt. Sakawa
F Troop
1965
as Samurai Warrior
Arrest and Trial
1963
as Kyoto
The Green Hornet
1966
as Low Sing
Gidget
1965
Voyagers!
1982
The Gallant Men
1962
Flamingo Road
1981
The Paradise Club
1989
as Mr. Yamamoto
Ensign O'Toole
1962
as Yamada, Jr.
Supertrain
1979
as Kirby Yamashida
The Lloyd Bridges Show
1962
as Akai Takahashi
Anna and the King
1972
as Sanum
Bring 'Em Back Alive
1982
Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!
2004
Black Sash
2003
as Master Li
Paradise
1988
as Kao
Broadside
1964
as The Japanese Commander / Captain Osato
Supercarrier
1988
Platypus Man
1995
as Mr. Loo
A Man Called Sloane
1979
as Tanaka
Movies (78)
Pearl Harbor
2001
as Admiral Yamamoto
Conan the Barbarian
1982
as The Wizard / Narrator
TMNT
2007
as Splinter (voice)
Memoirs of a Geisha
2005
as Sakamoto
RoboCop 3
1993
as Kanemitsu
Conan the Destroyer
1984
as Akiro 'The Wizard'
Seven Years in Tibet
1997
as Kungo Tsarong
Bulletproof Monk
2003
as Mr. Kojima
Crying Freeman
1995
as Shudo Shimazaki
Pacific Heights
1990
as Toshio Watanabe
The Perfect Weapon
1991
as Kim
Testament
1983
as Mike
The Hawaiians
1970
as Mun Ki
Rising Sun
1993
as Yoshida-san
The Sand Pebbles
1966
as Po-han
Highlander III: The Sorcerer
1994
as Nakano
Taking Care of Business
1990
as Mr. Sakamoto
A Dangerous Place
1994
as Sensei
Rugrats in Paris: The Movie
2000
as Mr. Yamaguchi (voice)
Rise: Blood Hunter
2007
as Poe
The Big Brawl
1980
as Herbert
Sidekicks
1992
as Mr. Lee
Tucker: The Man and His Dream
1988
as Jimmy
The Bushido Blade
1981
as Enjiro
The Green Hornet
1974
as Low Sing
Never So Few
1959
as Soldier in Hospital
Cruel Game
2002
as Straw Hat
An Eye for an Eye
1981
as James Chan
The Killer Elite
1975
as Yuen Chung
Girls of the White Orchid
1983
as Mori
Red Sun Rising
1994
as Buntoro Iga
P.O.W. The Escape
1986
as Capt. Vinh
The Ugly Dachshund
1966
as Kenji
The Bird People in China
1998
as Shen
Armed Response
1986
as Akira Tanaka
Hiroshima: Out of the Ashes
1990
as Sgt. Moritaki
Alegría
1999
as Old Momo
Under the Rainbow
1981
as Nakomuri
Silence
1971
as Kichijiro
Sworn to Justice
1996
as Mr. Young
The Slanted Screen
2006
as Himself
Kung Fu: The Movie
1986
as The Manchu
Murder in Paradise
1990
as Capt. Kilalo
The Island at the Top of the World
1974
as Oomiak
The Accomplice
1999
as Santos
When Hell Was in Session
1979
as Maj. Bai
Judge Dee and the Monastery Murders
1974
as Tao Gan
Strawberry Road
1991
as Frank Machida
Balance of Power
1996
as Todo Matsumoto
The Great Bank Robbery
1969
as Secret Agent Fong
Riot
1997
as Mr. Lee
The Nightingale
1983
as Gardener / Minister
Samurai Jack: The Premiere Movie
2017
as Aku (voice)
If Tomorrow Comes
1971
as Tadashi
Midnight Man
1995
as Buun Som
Conan Unchained: The Making of 'Conan'
2000
as The Wizard (archive footage)
Fools
1970
as Psychiatrist
Yokahama Mama
1972
as Rooster (voice)
An Unremarkable Life
1989
as Max Chin
Silent Assassins
1988
as Oyama
The Challenge
1970
as Yuro
The Wash
1988
as Nobu Matsumoto
McHale's Navy Joins the Air Force
1965
as Japanese Submarine Captain (uncredited)
Prisoners
1975
as Sgt. Nguyen
Cages
2007
as Tan
The Last Ninja
1983
as Aitaro Sakura
Pacific Overtures
1976
as Reciter/Shogun/Jonathan Goble
Farewell to Manzanar
1976
as Fukimoto
Hito Hata: Raise the Banner
1980
as Oda
The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell
1968
as Calvin Coolidge Ishimura
Fatal Mission
1990
as Trang
My Samurai
1992
Wataridori: Birds of Passage
1976
as Narrator
Hawaiian Heat
1984
as Maj. Taro Oshira
The Sea Wolf
1997
Nightingale
1992
as Narrator (voice)
Anatomy of a Song
1976
Karate Sensei
1975
as Narrator
About Mako
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 tw… With 146 credits spanning from 1956 to 2017, Mako has appeared in 78 films and 68 TV shows.
Fans searching for Mako movies, Mako filmography, or the latest projects starring Mako can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Mako Movies
- Pearl Harbor (2001) — as Admiral Yamamoto
- Conan the Barbarian (1982) — as The Wizard / Narrator
- TMNT (2007) — as Splinter (voice)
- Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) — as Sakamoto
- RoboCop 3 (1993) — as Kanemitsu
Where to Watch Mako Films
Most Mako movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Mako, check our movies catalogue and browse page.