Personal Info
Birth date
1933-12-10 (91 Years)
Day of death
2006-07-21
Gender
Male
Known for
Acting
Place of birth
Kobe, Japan
Also known as
Mako Iwamatsu
Mako Wakamatsu
Μάκο Ιβαμάτσου
Iwamatsu Mako
岩松信
マコ岩松
ماکو
Mako
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.
Filmography
The West Wing
8.258
Overview:
The West Wing provides a glimpse into presidential politics in the nation's capital as it tells the stories of the members of a fictional presidential administration. These interesting characters have humor and dedication that touches the heart while the politics that they discuss touch on everyday life.Monk
7.941
Overview:
Adrian Monk was once a rising star with the San Francisco Police Department, legendary for using unconventional means to solve the department's most baffling cases. But after the tragic (and still unsolved) murder of his wife Trudy, he developed an extreme case of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Now working as a private consultant, Monk continues to investigate cases in the most unconventional ways.Frasier
7.674
Overview:
After many years spent at the “Cheers” bar, Frasier moves back home to Seattle to work as a radio psychiatrist after his policeman father gets shot in the hip on duty.The Facts of Life
7
Overview:
Mrs. Edna Garrett, housemother and dietitian at the Eastland School, teaches a group of girls in her charge how to solve those problems that every teenager has to face.The Equalizer
7.2
Overview:
Robert McCall is a former agent of a secret government agency who is now running his own private crime fighting operation where he fashions himself as "The Equalizer." It is a service for victims of the system who have exhausted all possible means of seeking justice and have nowhere to go. McCall promises to even out the odds for them.Quincy, M.E.
7.5
Overview:
Los Angeles County medical examiner Quincy routinely engages in police investigations.Love, American Style
6.056
Overview:
An anthology comedy series featuring a line up of different celebrity guest stars appearing in anywhere from one, two, three, and four short stories or vignettes within an hour about versions of love and romance.Diagnosis: Murder
7.071
Overview:
Dr. Mark Sloan is a good-natured, offbeat physician who is called upon to solve murders.I Dream of Jeannie
7.831
Overview:
While on a mission, American astronaut Captain Tony Nelson is forced to make an emergency landing that will forever change his life. On a deserted South Pacific island, Captain Nelson happens upon a bottle containing a beautiful two-thousand-year-old female genie named Jeannie. Rescuing her from the bottle nets Tony the requisite three wishes, and then some, when Jeannie pledges total devotion to her new "master".Magnum, P.I.
7.275
Overview:
A private investigator who works when he wants, lives in a beachfront estate in Hawaii, drives a posh Ferrari, runs up an unlimited tab at a swank bar, and charms attractive women in peril - that's the lifestyle of Thomas Magnum, aka Magnum, P.I.The Big Valley
6.1
Overview:
The Big Valley is an American western television series which ran on ABC from September 15, 1965, to May 19, 1969. The show stars Barbara Stanwyck, as the widow of a wealthy nineteenth century California rancher. It was created by A.I. Bezzerides and Louis F. Edelman, and produced by Levy-Gardner-Laven for Four Star Television.Tour of Duty
8
Overview:
The trials of a U.S. Army platoon serving in the field during the Vietnam War.Columbo
8.088
Overview:
Columbo is a friendly, verbose, disheveled-looking police detective who is consistently underestimated by his suspects. Despite his unprepossessing appearance and apparent absentmindedness, he shrewdly solves all of his cases and secures all evidence needed for indictment. His formidable eye for detail and meticulously dedicated approach often become clear to the killer only late in the storyline.M*A*S*H
7.911
Overview:
The 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital is stuck in the middle of the Korean war. With little help from the circumstances they find themselves in, they are forced to make their own fun. Fond of practical jokes and revenge, the doctors, nurses, administrators, and soldiers often find ways of making wartime life bearable.Mannix
6.7
Overview:
Mannix is an American television detective series that ran from 1967 through 1975 on CBS. Created by Richard Levinson and William Link and developed by executive producer Bruce Geller, the title character, Joe Mannix, is a private investigator. He is played by Mike Connors. Mannix was the last series produced by Desilu Productions.Hawaii Five-O
7.1
Overview:
Hawaii Five-O is an American police procedural drama series produced by CBS Productions and Leonard Freeman. Set in Hawaii, the show originally aired for 12 seasons from 1968 to 1980, and continues in reruns. Jack Lord portrayed Detective Lieutenant Steve McGarrett, the head of a special state police task force which was based on an actual unit that existed under martial law in the 1940s. The theme music composed by Morton Stevens became especially popular. Many episodes would end with McGarrett instructing his subordinate to "Book 'em, Danno!", sometimes specifying a charge such as "murder one".Burke's Law
6
Overview:
Burke's Law is an American detective series that ran on ABC from 1963 to 1965 and was revived on CBS in the 1990s. The show starred Gene Barry as Amos Burke, millionaire captain of Los Angeles police homicide division, who was chauffeured around to solve crimes in his Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II.The F.B.I.
5.5
Overview:
The F.B.I. is an American television series that was broadcast on ABC from 1965 to 1974. It was sponsored by the Ford Motor Company, and the characters almost always drove Ford vehicles in the series. Alcoa was co-sponsor of Season One only.The A-Team
7.5
Overview:
A fictional group of ex-United States Army Special Forces personnel work as soldiers of fortune while on the run from the Army after being branded as war criminals for a "crime they didn't commit."JAG
7.318
Overview:
Harmon "Harm" Rabb Jr. is a former pilot turned lawyer working for the military's JAG (Judge Advocate General) division, the elite legal wing of officers that prosecutes and defends those accused of military-related crimes. He works closely with Lt. Col. Sarah Mackenzie, and together they do what needs to be done to find the truth.Ironside
6.8
Overview:
When an assassin's bullet confines him to a wheelchair for life ending his career as Chief of Detectives, Robert T. Ironside becomes a consultant to the police department. Detective Sergeant Ed Brown and policewoman Eve Whitfield join with him to crack varied and fascinating cases. Ex-con Mark Sanger is employed by the chief as home help but eventually becomes a fully fledged member of the team also. Officer Whitfield leaves after 4 years service, and is replaced by Officer Fran Belding.The Incredible Hulk
7.242
Overview:
During an experiment gone bad, radiation turns a scientist into a raging green behemoth whenever he becomes agitated. Unable to control his transformations, David Banner searches for a cure as he crosses the country, fugitive-style, with a dogged tabloid reporter on his trail.Walker, Texas Ranger
7
Overview:
Modern-day Texas Ranger, Cordell Walker's independent crime-solving methods have their roots in the rugged traditions of the Old West. Walker's closest friend is former Ranger, C.D. Parker, who retired after a knee injury, and now owns "C.D.'s," a Country/Western saloon/restaurant. Rookie Ranger, James "Jimmy" Trivette is an ex-football player who bases his crime-solving methods on reason and uses computers and cellular phones. Alex Cahill is the Assistant DA who shares a mutual attraction with Walker, but often disagrees with his unorthodox approach to law enforcement.Kung Fu: The Legend Continues
6.62
Overview:
Like his legendary namesake, Kwai Chang Caine is a warrior monk, operating a Shaolin temple in Northern California. After an evil priest, Tan, destroys the temple, Caine and his young son, Peter each believe the other has perished. The two embark on very different paths -- Caine wanders the Earth, while Peter is a cop. When fate brings the two together, they work to overcome their differing philosophies to battle Tan, and then to help the innocent and bring justice to the new Wild West -- 90s urban America.Tony Awards
5.1
Overview:
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway productions and performances, and an award is given for regional theatre.Samurai Jack
8.453
Overview:
A great warrior is displaced to the distant future by the evil shape-shifting wizard Aku. The world has become a bleak place under the rule of Aku, segregated into fantastic tribes and ruled by Aku's evil robot warlords. Jack travels this foreign landscape in search of a time portal that can return him to his home time so he can "undo the future that is Aku!".What's New, Scooby-Doo?
7.864
Overview:
Scooby-Doo and the Mystery, Inc. gang are launched into the 21st century, with new mysteries to solve.Avatar: The Last Airbender
8.749
Overview:
In a war-torn world of elemental magic, a young boy reawakens to undertake a dangerous mystic quest to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar, and bring peace to the world.77 Sunset Strip
6.7
Overview:
Stu Bailey and Jeff Spencer are the wisecracking, womanizing private-detective heroes of this Warner Brothers drama. They work out of an office located at 77 Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, California, right next door to a snazzy restaurant where Kookie works as a valet. The finger-snapping, slang-talking Kookie occasionally helps Stu and Jeff with their cases, and eventually becomes a full-fledged member of the detective agency. Rex Randolph and J.R. Hale also join the firm, and Suzanne is their leggy secretary.The Time Tunnel
7.6
Overview:
The Time Tunnel is a 1966–1967 U.S. color science fiction TV series, written around a theme of time travel adventure. The show was creator-producer Irwin Allen's third science fiction television series, released by 20th Century Fox and broadcast on ABC. The show ran for one season of 30 episodes. Reruns are viewable on cable and by internet streaming. A pilot for a new series was produced in 2002, although it was not picked up.Acting
2017Samurai Jack: The Premiere Movie as Aku (voice)
2007Rise: Blood Hunter as Poe
2007TMNT as Splinter (voice)
2006The Slanted Screen as Himself
2005Memoirs of a Geisha as Sakamoto
2005Maid in Akihabara (6 Episodes) as Unknown
2005Cages as Tan
2005Avatar: The Last Airbender (40 Episodes) as Iroh (voice)
2004Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! (1 Episode) as Unknown
2003Duck Dodgers (2, 1 Episode) as Happy Cat (voice), Happy Cat / Ah-Choo (voice)
2003Lost at Home (1 Episode) as Unknown
2003Black Sash (5 Episodes) as Unknown
2003Bulletproof Monk as Mr. Kojima
2002Cruel Game as Straw Hat
2002What's New, Scooby-Doo? (1 Episode) as The Ancient One (voice)
2002Monk (1 Episode) as Master Zi
2001Samurai Jack (50 Episodes) as Aku (voice)
2001Pearl Harbor as Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto
2000Rugrats in Paris: The Movie as Mr. Yamaguchi (voice)
2000The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne (1 Episode) as Unknown
2000Conan Unchained: The Making of 'Conan' as The Wizard (archive footage)
1999The West Wing (1 Episode) as Dr. Yosh Takahashi
1999The Accomplice as Unknown
1999Alegría: An Enchanting Fable as Old Momo
1998Martial Law (2 Episodes) as Unknown
1998The Bird People in China as Shen
1997Seven Years in Tibet as Kungo Tsarong
1997Riot as Mr. Lee
1997The Sea Wolf as Unknown
1996Sworn to Justice as Mr. Young
19967th Heaven (1 Episode) as Henry Muranaka
1996Balance of Power as Todo Matsumoto
1995JAG (1 Episode) as Ichiro Higashimori
1995Midnight Man as Buun Som
1995Crying Freeman as Shudo Shimazaki
1995Platypus Man (1 Episode) as Mr. Loo
1994Highlander III: The Sorcerer as Nakano
1994A Dangerous Place as Sensei
1994Red Sun Rising as Buntoro Iga
1993Diagnosis: Murder (1 Episode) as Lee Moy
1993Frasier (1 Episode) as Sam Tanaka
1993Rising Sun as Yoshida-san
1993Walker, Texas Ranger (1, 1 Episode) as Dr. Henry Lee, Edward Song
1993Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (2 Episodes) as Li Sung
1993RoboCop 3 as Kanemitsu
1992Sidekicks as Mr. Lee
1992Nightingale as Narrator (voice)
1992My Samurai as Unknown
1991Strawberry Road as Frank Machida
1991The Perfect Weapon as Kim
1990Pacific Heights as Toshio Watanabe
1990Taking Care of Business as Mr. Sakamoto
1990Hiroshima: Out of the Ashes as Sgt. Moritaki
1990Fatal Mission as Trang
1990Murder in Paradise as Capt. Kilalo
1989An Unremarkable Life as Max Chin
1989The Paradise Club (1 Episode) as Mr. Yamamoto
1988Paradise (1 Episode) as Kao
1988The Wash as Nobu Matsumoto
1988Tucker: The Man and His Dream as Jimmy
1988Silent Assassins as Oyama
1988Supercarrier (1 Episode) as Unknown
1987Tour of Duty (1 Episode) as Tran
1986Armed Response as Akira Tanaka
1986P.O.W. The Escape as Capt. Vinh
1986Kung Fu: The Movie as The Manchu
1986Lovejoy (2 Episodes) as Toshiro Tanaka
1985Spenser: For Hire (1 Episode) as Unknown
1985The Equalizer (1 Episode) as Jimmy Thanarat
1984Hawaiian Heat as Maj. Taro Oshira
1984Hawaiian Heat (11 Episodes) as Maj. Taro Oshira
1984Conan the Destroyer as Akiro 'The Wizard'
1983Girls of the White Orchid as Mori
1983Testament as Mike
1983The Last Ninja as Aitaro Sakura
1983The Nightingale as Gardener / Minister
1983The A-Team (1 Episode) as Pastry Chef
1982Voyagers! (1 Episode) as Unknown
1982Bring 'Em Back Alive (1 Episode) as Unknown
1982Faerie Tale Theatre (1 Episode) as Gardener / Minister
1982Conan the Barbarian as The Wizard / Narrator
1981An Eye for an Eye as James Chan
1981Under the Rainbow as Nakomuri
1981The Bushido Blade as Enjiro
1981The Greatest American Hero (1 Episode) as Master of Flowers
1981Flamingo Road (1 Episode) as Unknown
1980Magnum, P.I. (1 Episode) as Tozan
1980Hito Hata: Raise the Banner as Oda
1980The Big Brawl as Herbert
1979When Hell Was in Session as Maj. Bai
1979A Man Called Sloane (1 Episode) as Tanaka
1979The Facts of Life (1 Episode) as Unknown
1979Supertrain (1 Episode) as Unknown
1977The Incredible Hulk (2 Episodes) as Li Sung
1976Visions (1 Episode) as Unknown
1976Quincy, M.E. (1, 1 Episode) as John Moroshima, Mr. Yamaguchi
1976Mr. T and Tina (1 Episode) as Unknown
1976Pacific Overtures as Reciter/Shogun/Jonathan Goble
1976Farewell to Manzanar as Fukimoto
1976Wataridori: Birds of Passage as narrator
1975The Killer Elite as Yuen Chung
1975Wonder Woman (1 Episode) as Mr. Brown
1975Prisoners as Sgt. Nguyen
1975Khan! (1 Episode) as Unknown
1974Judge Dee and the Monastery Murders as Tao Gan
1974The Island at the Top of the World as Oomiak
1974The Green Hornet as Low Sing
1972Yokahama Mama as Rooster (voice)
1972Kung Fu (1 Episode) as Wong Ti Lu
1972M*A*S*H (4 Episodes) as Major Choi
1972Anna and the King (1 Episode) as Unknown
1971If Tomorrow Comes as Tadashi
1971Silence as Kichijiro
1971Columbo (1 Episode) as Kanji Ousu
1970Fools as Psychiatrist
1970The Hawaiians as Mun Ki
1970The Challenge as Yuro
1969Love, American Style (1 Episode) as Jack
1969Room 222 (1 Episode) as Unknown
1969The Great Bank Robbery as Secret Agent Fong
1968Hawaii Five-O (1 Episode) as Kazuo Tahashi
1968The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell as Calvin Coolidge Ishimura
1967Mannix (1 Episode) as Tami Okada
1967Ironside (1 Episode) as Phil Tsang
1966The Sand Pebbles as Po-han
1966The Time Tunnel (1 Episode) as Lt. Nakamura
1966The Green Hornet (1 Episode) as Low Sing
1966The Ugly Dachshund as Kenji
1965The F.B.I. (1, 1 Episode) as Yoshimura, Angry Youth (uncredited)
1965I Dream of Jeannie (1 Episode) as Kato
1965Gidget (1 Episode) as Unknown
1965The Big Valley (1 Episode) as Wong Lo
1965F Troop (1 Episode) as Samurai Warrior
1965McHale's Navy Joins the Air Force as Japanese Submarine Captain (uncredited)
1964Broadside (1, 1 Episode) as Captain Osato, The Japanese Commander
1963Burke's Law (1, 1 Episode) as Happy Tuava, Pete
1963Arrest and Trial (1 Episode) as Kyoto
1962McHale's Navy (7, 1 Episode) as Unknown, Lt. Sakawa
1962The Gallant Men (1 Episode) as Unknown
1962Ensign O'Toole (1 Episode) as Yamada, Jr.
1962The Lloyd Bridges Show (1 Episode) as Akai Takahashi
1959Never So Few as Soldier in Hospital
195877 Sunset Strip (1 Episode) as Ito Nakayama
1956Tony Awards (1 Episode) as Self - Nominee/Performer
Crew
2007TMNT ... In Memory Of
Art
1971Silence ... Production Design