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
Pearl Harbor
(2001)
Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto
Conan the Destroyer
(1984)
Akiro 'The Wizard'
Conan the Barbarian
(1982)
The Wizard / Narrator
TMNT
(2007)
Splinter (voice)
Seven Years in Tibet
(1997)
Kungo Tsarong
Rising Sun
(1993)
Yoshida-san
Highlander: The Final Dimension
(1994)
Nakano
Memoirs of a Geisha
(2005)
Sakamoto
Bulletproof Monk
(2003)
Mr. Kojima
Tucker: The Man and His Dream
(1988)
Jimmy
Rugrats in Paris: The Movie
(2000)
Mr. Yamaguchi (voice)
Crying Freeman
(1995)
Shido Shimazaki
Pacific Heights
(1990)
Toshio Watanabe
The Ugly Dachshund
(1966)
Kenji
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 Sand Pebbles
(1966)
Po-han
The Ugly Dachshund
(1966)
Kenji
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
Silence
(1971)
Kichijiro
If Tomorrow Comes
(1971)
Tadashi
Yokahama Mama
(1972)
Rooster (voice)
The Island at the Top of the World
(1974)
Oomiak
Judge Dee and the Monastery Murders
(1974)
Tao Gan
The Green Hornet
(1974)
Low Sing
The Killer Elite
(1975)
Yuen Chung
Prisoners
(1975)
Sgt. Nguyen
Farewell to Manzanar
(1976)
Fukimoto
Pacific Overtures
(1976)
Reciter/Shogun/Jonathan Goble
Wataridori: Birds of Passage
(1976)
narrator
When Hell Was in Session
(1979)
Maj. Bai
The Big Brawl
(1980)
Herbert
Hito Hata: Raise the Banner
(1980)
Oda
An Eye for an Eye
(1981)
James Chan
Under the Rainbow
(1981)
Nakomuri
The Bushido Blade
(1981)
Enjiro
Conan the Barbarian
(1982)
The Wizard / Narrator
The Last Ninja
(1983)
Aitaro Sakura
Girls of the White Orchid
(1983)
Mori
Testament
(1983)
Mike
The Nightingale
(1983)
Gardener / Minister
Conan the Destroyer
(1984)
Akiro 'The Wizard'
Hawaiian Heat
(1984)
Maj. Taro Oshira
Kung Fu The Movie
(1986)
The Manchu
Armed Response
(1986)
Akira Tanaka
P.O.W. The Escape
(1986)
Capt. Vinh
Tucker: The Man and His Dream
(1988)
Jimmy
Silent Assassins
(1988)
Oyama
The Wash
(1988)
Nobu Matsumoto
An Unremarkable Life
(1989)
Max Chin
Pacific Heights
(1990)
Toshio Watanabe
Fatal Mission
(1990)
Trang
Taking Care of Business
(1990)
Mr. Sakamoto
Hiroshima: Out of the Ashes
(1990)
Sgt. Moritaki
Murder in Paradise
(1990)
Capt. Kilalo
The Perfect Weapon
(1991)
Kim
Strawberry Road
(1991)
Frank Machida
Sidekicks
(1992)
Mr. Lee
My Samurai
(1992)
Nightingale
(1992)
Narrator (voice)
RoboCop 3
(1993)
Kanemitsu
Rising Sun
(1993)
Yoshida-san
Highlander: The Final Dimension
(1994)
Nakano
Red Sun Rising
(1994)
Buntoro Iga
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
The Accomplice
(1999)
AlegrÃa: An Enchanting Fable
(1999)
Old Momo
Conan Unchained: The Making of 'Conan'
(2000)
The Wizard (archive footage)
Rugrats in Paris: The Movie
(2000)
Mr. Yamaguchi (voice)
Pearl Harbor
(2001)
Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto
Samurai Jack: The Premiere Movie
(2001)
Aku
Cruel Game
(2002)
Straw Hat
Bulletproof Monk
(2003)
Mr. Kojima
Memoirs of a Geisha
(2005)
Sakamoto
Cages
(2005)
The Slanted Screen
(2006)
Himself
TMNT
(2007)
Splinter (voice)
Rise: Blood Hunter
(2007)
Poe
Art