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
RoboCop 3
(1993)
Kanemitsu
Conan the Barbarian
(1982)
The Wizard / Narrator
Pearl Harbor
(2001)
Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto
Conan the Destroyer
(1984)
Akiro 'The Wizard'
TMNT
(2007)
Splinter (voice)
Seven Years in Tibet
(1997)
Kungo Tsarong
Memoirs of a Geisha
(2005)
Sakamoto
Rugrats in Paris: The Movie
(2000)
Mr. Yamaguchi (voice)
Bulletproof Monk
(2003)
Mr. Kojima
Highlander: The Final Dimension
(1994)
Nakano
The Sand Pebbles
(1966)
Po-han
Tucker: The Man and His Dream
(1988)
Jimmy
Crying Freeman
(1995)
Shido Shimazaki
Rising Sun
(1993)
Yoshida-san
Pacific Heights
(1990)
Toshio Watanabe
The Big Brawl
(1980)
Herbert
Full Filmography
Acting
Never So Few
(1959)
Soldier in Hospital
McHale's Navy Joins the Air Force
(1965)
Japanese Submarine Captain (uncredited)
The Ugly Dachshund
(1966)
Kenji
The Sand Pebbles
(1966)
Po-han
The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell
(1968)
Calvin Coolidge Ishimura
The Great Bank Robbery
(1969)
Secret Agent Fong
The Challenge
(1970)
Yuro
The Hawaiians
(1970)
Mun Ki
Fools
(1970)
Psychiatrist
If Tomorrow Comes
(1971)
Tadashi
Silence
(1971)
Kichijiro
Yokahama Mama
(1972)
Rooster (voice)
Judge Dee and the Monastery Murders
(1974)
Tao Gan
The Green Hornet
(1974)
Low Sing
The Island at the Top of the World
(1974)
Oomiak
The Killer Elite
(1975)
Yuen Chung
Prisoners
(1975)
Sgt. Nguyen
Farewell to Manzanar
(1976)
Fukimoto
Wataridori: Birds of Passage
(1976)
narrator
Pacific Overtures
(1976)
Reciter/Shogun/Jonathan Goble
When Hell Was in Session
(1979)
Maj. Bai
Hito Hata: Raise the Banner
(1980)
Oda
The Big Brawl
(1980)
Herbert
Under the Rainbow
(1981)
Nakomuri
An Eye for an Eye
(1981)
James Chan
The Bushido Blade
(1981)
Enjiro
Conan the Barbarian
(1982)
The Wizard / Narrator
The Last Ninja
(1983)
Aitaro Sakura
Testament
(1983)
Mike
The Nightingale
(1983)
Gardener / Minister
Girls of the White Orchid
(1983)
Mori
Hawaiian Heat
(1984)
Maj. Taro Oshira
Conan the Destroyer
(1984)
Akiro 'The Wizard'
Kung Fu The Movie
(1986)
The Manchu
P.O.W. The Escape
(1986)
Capt. Vinh
Armed Response
(1986)
Akira Tanaka
Silent Assassins
(1988)
Oyama
Tucker: The Man and His Dream
(1988)
Jimmy
The Wash
(1988)
Nobu Matsumoto
An Unremarkable Life
(1989)
Max Chin
Fatal Mission
(1990)
Trang
Murder in Paradise
(1990)
Capt. Kilalo
Hiroshima: Out of the Ashes
(1990)
Sgt. Moritaki
Pacific Heights
(1990)
Toshio Watanabe
Taking Care of Business
(1990)
Mr. Sakamoto
The Perfect Weapon
(1991)
Kim
Strawberry Road
(1991)
Frank Machida
Sidekicks
(1992)
Mr. Lee
Nightingale
(1992)
Narrator (voice)
My Samurai
(1992)
Rising Sun
(1993)
Yoshida-san
RoboCop 3
(1993)
Kanemitsu
Red Sun Rising
(1994)
Buntoro Iga
Highlander: The Final Dimension
(1994)
Nakano
A Dangerous Place
(1994)
Sensei
Midnight Man
(1995)
Buun Som
Crying Freeman
(1995)
Shido Shimazaki
Sworn to Justice
(1996)
Mr. Young
Balance of Power
(1996)
Todo Matsumoto
Seven Years in Tibet
(1997)
Kungo Tsarong
Riot
(1997)
Mr. Lee
The Sea Wolf
(1997)
The Bird People in China
(1998)
Shen
AlegrÃa: An Enchanting Fable
(1999)
Old Momo
The Accomplice
(1999)
Rugrats in Paris: The Movie
(2000)
Mr. Yamaguchi (voice)
Conan Unchained: The Making of 'Conan'
(2000)
The Wizard (archive footage)
Samurai Jack: The Premiere Movie
(2001)
Aku
Pearl Harbor
(2001)
Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto
Cruel Game
(2002)
Straw Hat
Bulletproof Monk
(2003)
Mr. Kojima
Memoirs of a Geisha
(2005)
Sakamoto
Cages
(2005)
The Slanted Screen
(2006)
Himself
Rise: Blood Hunter
(2007)
Poe
TMNT
(2007)
Splinter (voice)
Art