Yaphet Kotto | Getty
Yaphet Kotto, famous actor best known for his roles as the villain in the James Bond film Live and Let Die and Foreigner, died at the age of 81.
Kotto’s wife, Tessie Sinahon, made the announcement Monday via Facebook about her husband’s death, where she referred to him as “a good man, a good father, a good husband and a decent human being” and “ a legend ”as one of the best actors in Hollywood. Ryan Goldhar, Kotto’s agent, confirmed his death.
“I am sad and still shocked by the death of my 24-year-old husband Yaphet. He died last night around 10:30 pm, Philippine time, ”wrote Sinahon. “You played a villain in some of your films, but for me you are a true hero and for many people too.”
Born Yaphet Frederick Kotto, the New York-born actor made waves on television, in movies and on Broadway in roles like Lieutenant Pope in 1972 Across 110th Street, Mr. Big in the James Bond film Live and Let Die, Dennis Parker in 1979 Foreigner. The Emmy-nominated actor also played Al Giardello on the NBC series Homicide: Street Life between 1993 and 1999 and starred Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1987 The running man.
Celebrities from Ava Duvernay and Viola Davis to James Bond’s official Twitter account have paid their respects to the late actor on social media since the news of his passing earlier this week. See below all the flowers that celebrities from all over the country are giving you: