Yaphet Kotto

Yaphet Kotto Profile Photo

Characters played by Yaphet Kotto

Al Giardello — Homicide: Life on the Street (1993)

Served as Commander and Lieutenant in the early seasons. Later ran for mayor on a pro-drug-legalization platform and was shot during an assassination attempt in the television movie.

Parker — Alien (1979)

Engineer on Nostromo, pragmatic and focused on survival.

William Laughlin — The Running Man (1987)

Resistance fighter and Richards' prison escape companion. He is sent into the game zone alongside Richards and Weiss. He is fatally wounded during the stalkers' hunt.

Kananga/Mr. Big — Live and Let Die (1973)

Corrupt dictator and drug lord planning to monopolize heroin distribution.

Doc — Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991)

Tech-savvy Dream Warrior who builds gadgets.

Carl — The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)

Associate involved in operational planning and execution.

Alonzo Mosely, Special Agent, F.B.I. — Midnight Run (1988)

Dedicated FBI agent pursuing the fugitive for federal prosecution.

Dickie Coombes — Brubaker (1980)

A trusted longtime inmate recruited by Brubaker to assist with prison reforms. Initially involved in the old system, Coombes turns against the corrupt trusties after learning of their role in Abraham's murder. He ultimately validates Brubaker's efforts and leads the inmates in a respectful farewell upon Brubaker's departure.

FBI Agent O'Malley — Two If by Sea (1996)

Part of the FBI unit that swarms to arrest Frank and Roz for the stolen painting. Frank redirects them to Evan's house, leading to a successful bust.

J.B. Deveraux — Eye of the Tiger (1986)

A local deputy and former Vietnam War comrade of Buck. He provides crucial intelligence on the motorcycle gang and assists Buck in their campaign against the bikers by piloting a bomb-dropping crop duster to help defeat the gang at their desert camp.

Colt Hawkins — Friday Foster (1975)

Colt Hawkins is a private detective who becomes Friday Foster's investigative partner after she is targeted for death. Working alongside Friday, he helps pursue the people behind the assassination attempt and the broader plot to eliminate the country's African-American political leadership.

Eubanks — The Park Is Mine (1986)

Eubanks is one of the officials coordinating the police response to Mitch's occupation of Central Park. He participates in discussions about the suspected guerrilla support, the lack of hostages or a ransom demand, and possible methods for ending the standoff. His role places him among the authorities opposing Mitch's public protest.

Career Overview

Yaphet Kotto has 90 screen credits in a career dating back to 1955. Their work spans 8 cinematic universes — most prominently A Nightmare on Elm Street with 1 titles. Signature works include Homicide: Life on the Street, Alien, The Running Man. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.

Personal Facts

Known For
Acting
Gender
male
Known Credits
90
Birth Date
1939-11-16
Birth Place
New York City, New York, U.S.A

Known For

Associated Universes

Universe traveler — spans 8 universes

Frequent Collaborators

Credits

Content sources

Related entry on Wikidata (Q266270), public domain (CC0).