Makoto Iwamatsu, known to TV and movie fans as simply Mako, died of esophageal cancer on July 21, according to this CNN article from Wednesday. He was 72. His death was announced by Tim Dang, the artistic director of East West Players, a theater company that Mako co-founded.It's interesting that Mako passed away during the same week as Jack Warden, because the two of them played very similar roles in their careers; Mako almost always played either the general, the authoritarian, the soldier, or the wise old sage. Heck, I think he played all four roles on M*A*S*H alone (he played four different guest roles during the series' 11-year run).
The Japanese-born actor was nominated for an Oscar for his supporting role as a Chinese laborer in the 1966 film The Sand Pebbles, which gave him a platform to champion better roles for Asian-American actors. Check out his extensive IMDb profile; it includes roles ranging from an admiral in Pearl Harbor to Happy Cat on Duck Dodgers.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-26-2006 @ 1:09AM
Keith L. Dick said...
Usually *They Come in 3's*... Meaning another will soon...
He was one of my Fav actors, talented and gave his all for the parts that he played...
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7-26-2006 @ 1:29AM
Chris said...
One my Favorite actors. Lots of passion and intelligence. Always, always enjoyed his work.
R.I.P., Mako
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7-26-2006 @ 3:11AM
Akbar Fazil said...
one of my favorite roles for him was in a terrible little movie (total guilty pleasure of mine) called Taking Care of Business
Following Jim Belushi's lead during a dinner meeting he gets up and leaves and says to Gates "Doctor Crusher" McFadden 'Nice Titties!' and walks out. But the way he says it in such a derogatory and yet at the same time respectful way has me cracking up every time.
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7-26-2006 @ 9:25AM
jeffrey said...
He also starred in the 'Kiss of the Sabre' episode on Magnum P.I. (thats Private Investigator).
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7-26-2006 @ 10:58AM
Lampbane said...
How could you NOT mention that he was Aku, on Samurai Jack????
He was creepy and goofy all at once. A great villain.
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7-27-2006 @ 11:26PM
Sherman said...
On the heels of Aku in Samurai Jack, Mako then lent his voice as Uncle Iroh (to Prince Zuko) in "Avatar: The Last Airbender."
I started watching this series, the first drama/action animated show on Nick, with my 11 year old daughter and 7 year old son. It soon became a family favorite. My kids love the younger characters, but for me Uncle Iroh brought gravitas and unexpected humor to the show. Mako will be missed.
Hopefully the creators and cast of Avatar will continue their excellence. It is one of the few shows that is well-plotted, well-written and well-performed, week after week.
FYI: as a frame of reference, my favorite shows last year, in order, were Doctor Who, Avatar, Veronica Mars, Battlestar Galactica, Scrubs and The Office
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7-28-2006 @ 3:40AM
Shawn Power said...
He was a great actor, and human being. A voice and presence that will defintely be missed. The powerful resonance that his characters possessed, along with his own strong sense of humour that was imbued in all that he did.
I was a big fan (can ya tell) How is Britney Spears still alive and he's dead, I woulda traded...
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10-06-2006 @ 4:56PM
Carlo de los Santos said...
I was watching last nights episode of Avatar. For those of you who don't know, he plays General Iroh in Nickolodeon's Avatar: The Last Airbender. Anyway, as soon as they finished playing "The Tale of Iroh" I couldn't help but notice that the show said "In Honor of Mako." Troubled, I quickly went online and saw that he indeed passed away, to my own sorrow.
I followed this guys career through the days of Conan the Barbarian and other B-movies that he starred in during the 80s and 90s. I felt so sad because last nights episode of Avatar, The Tale of Iroh, the episode started out with him Iroh (Mako), preparing what seems to be a jovial picnic or a day out. Towards the end of the tale, it turns out he took the time off to celebrate the death of his son which was killed during the Siege of Ba Sing Se. Now, just so everyone knows, I am a grown adult and I love watching cartoons or any show that shows character development and depth and what Mako (or Mako's acting/voice) brought to the table was a full rounded Iroh, a character to which he gave life, robustness and wisdom. Iroh was a very wise man in Avatar, a fallen general to his nation, a kind and caring uncle to his fallen nephew Prince Zuko, a not so repentant but forgiving man and eventhough I didn't really know him personally, I would think that Iroh was actually just like Mako in real life.
Good night sir wherever you are and I definitely would like to see you on the other side.
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10-01-2006 @ 1:01AM
Jim of Davao said...
I, too, found out of his death after watching the Avatar. He gives a quiet yet courageous voice to the character of Iroh.
Mako will be missed.
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