Yaphet Frederick Kotto, born on 15th November 1939 in New York City, USA, is an actor, best known to the world for his roles in films “Alien” (1979) as Parker, “Live and Let Die” (1973) as Bond`s enemy Kananga / Mr. Big, and as William Laughlin in the film “The Running Man” (1987), among other roles.
Have you ever wondered how rich Yaphet Kotto is, as of late 2016? According to authoritative sources, it has been estimated that Kotto`s net worth is as high as $5 million, earned through his successful career in the entertainment industry, during which he has appeared in more than 90 film and TV titles.
Yaphet Kotto Net Worth $5 Million
Yaphet is the son of Gladys Marie, who worked as a nurse and was also a U.S. Army officer, while his father was a Cameroon immigrant, Njoki Manga Bell, but who changed his name to Avraham Kotto. Yaphet researched his family roots, and found out that his father was crowned prince of Cameroon, but since it was a Republic that was unacceptable, so he had to flee. His whole family from his father`s side had royal roots and was quite rich.
Yapeth grew up in New York City, and enrolled at Actors Mobile Theater Studio when he was 16, and three years later made his acting debut in a production of “Othello”. He continued as a part of the Actors Studio in New York, and appeared on Broadway in “The Great White Hope” and several other productions. Kotto`s first screen role went uncredited, in the film “4 for Texas” (1963), but he then started building his name with roles in “Nothing But a Man” (1964) with Ivan Dixon and Julius Harris, “The Thomas Crown Affair” (1968) starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway, and “5 Card Stud” (1969) starring Dean Martin. All of these films were quite successful, and certainly increased Yaphet`s net worth.
The `70s were quite fruitful for Yaphet, as he recorded several notable roles, which certainly marked his career; in 1972 he joined te cast of the film “Across 110th Street” with Anthony Quinn and Anthony Franciossa, and in 1973 he starred in Guy Hamilton`s “Live and Let Die” with Roger Moore as secret CIA agent James Bond. Three years later, he featured in Irvin Kershner`s Golden Globe-awarded action drama “Raid on Entebbe”, with Peter Finch and Charles Bronson. He finished the decade with two most recognizable roles, as Smokey in “Blue Collar” (1978), and as Parker in “Alien” (1979), increasing his net worth by a large margin.
Kotto continued successfully in the 1980s, appearing in numerous lead and supporting roles, but a few stand out, such as in Oscar-nominated “Brubaker” (1980) with Robert Redford, “Othello” (1980), “The Running Man” (1987) starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Conchita Alonso, and “Midnight Run” (1988, directed by Martin Brest and starring the likes of Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin.
The `90s didn`t change much, only a number of films and the amount of money on Yaphet`s bank account; he started the decade with a role in Gary Sherman`s Primetime Emmy nominated “After the Shock” (1990), and continued with an appearance in the film “The Corpse Had a Familiar Face” in 1994. A year before he was selected for the role of Al Giardello in the TV series “Homicide: Life on the Street”, which lasted until 1999, increasing further his net worth. He repeated his role in the TV movie “Homicide: The Movie” in 2000, and has made several appearances since the beginning of the new millennium, including in “Stiletto Dance” (2001), “Witless Protection” (2008), while in 2014 he lent his voice to Parker in the video game “Alien: Isolation.
Regarding his personal life, Yaphet has been married to Tessie Sinahon since 1998, who is his third wife. His first marriage was to Rita Ingrid Dittman, from 1962 until 1975, and they have three children. His second wife was Antoinette Pettyjohn, from 1975 until 1996; the couple have two children together.
