July 24, 200619 yr Acting pioneer Mako dies at age 72 LOS ANGELES, July 23 (UPI) -- Mako, a pioneer in the acceptance of Asian Americans into Hollywood, has died in California at the age of 72 from esophageal cancer. The Los Angeles Times said Mako, who was born Makoto Iwamatsu and revolutionized Hollywood's stereotyped view of Asian-American actors, died Friday at his home in the Ventura County town of Somis. Mako first drew the attention of U.S. moviegoers in 1966 when he was nominated for an Academy Award for his compelling turn as the Chinese character Po-han in the film, "The Sand Pebbles." Later he formed the first Asian-American theater company, East West Players, where he trained scores of aspiring playwrights and actors over the years. "What many people say is, 'If it wasn't for Mako there wouldn't have been Asian-American theater,'" artistic director of East West Players, Tim Dang, told the Times. "He is revered as sort of the godfather of Asian American theater." http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?Stor...23-033714-2932r rip...
July 24, 200619 yr Damn, that's a shame! I loved the guy, easily a favorite face to see on the screen.
July 24, 200619 yr He was a great voice actor too. He did a lot of good voices, including Aku on Samurai Jack and an uncle on Nickelodeon's The Avatar.
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