Mako - Actor Profile

Mako

Acting
Updated: May 09, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Dec 10, 1933
Birth Place: Kobe, Japan

About Mako

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.

Mako Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Mako reflects a strong mix of popular and critically appreciated roles. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Mako's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 60% of Mako's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains The Wash, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Mako Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Mako's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Mako has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2017 Samurai Jack: The Premiere Movie Aku (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2007 TMNT Splinter (voice) Average Similar →
2006 The Slanted Screen Himself Super Hit Similar →
2005 Memoirs of a Geisha Sakamoto Super Hit Similar →
2003 Bulletproof Monk Mr. Kojima Average Similar →
2001 Pearl Harbor Isoroku Yamamoto Hit Similar →
2000 Rugrats in Paris: The Movie Mr. Yamaguchi (voice) Hit Similar →
2000 Conan Unchained: The Making of 'Conan' The Wizard (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1999 The Accomplice Santos Average Similar →
1999 Alegría Old Momo Hit Similar →
1998 The Bird People in China Shen Hit Similar →
1997 Seven Years in Tibet Kungo Tsarong Hit Similar →
1997 The Sea Wolf - Average Similar →
1996 Balance of Power Todo Matsumoto Average Similar →
1995 Crying Freeman Shudo Shimazaki Average Similar →
1994 A Dangerous Place Sensei Average Similar →
1993 Rising Sun Yoshida-san Average Similar →
1992 Nightingale Narrator (voice) Super Hit Similar →
1992 My Samurai - Average Similar →
1991 Strawberry Road Frank Machida Super Hit Similar →
1991 The Perfect Weapon Kim Average Similar →
1990 Pacific Heights Toshio Watanabe Average Similar →
1990 Taking Care of Business Mr. Sakamoto Average Similar →
1990 Hiroshima: Out of the Ashes Sgt. Moritaki Average Similar →
1990 Fatal Mission Trang Super Hit Similar →
1989 An Unremarkable Life Max Chin Super Hit Similar →
1988 The Wash Nobu Matsumoto Super Hit Similar →
1988 Tucker: The Man and His Dream Jimmy Hit Similar →
1984 Hawaiian Heat Maj. Taro Oshira Hit Similar →
1984 Conan the Destroyer Akiro 'The Wizard' Average Similar →
1983 Testament Mike Average Similar →
1982 Conan the Barbarian The Wizard / Narrator Hit Similar →
1981 The Bushido Blade Enjiro Average Similar →
1980 The Big Brawl Herbert Average Similar →
1979 When Hell Was in Session Maj. Bai Hit Similar →
1976 Pacific Overtures Reciter/Shogun/Jonathan Goble Super Hit Similar →
1976 Farewell to Manzanar Fukimoto Average Similar →
1976 Wataridori: Birds of Passage Narrator Super Hit Similar →
1975 The Killer Elite Yuen Chung Average Similar →
1975 Prisoners Sgt. Nguyen Super Hit Similar →
1974 Judge Dee and the Monastery Murders Tao Gan Hit Similar →
1974 The Island at the Top of the World Oomiak Hit Similar →
1974 The Green Hornet Low Sing Hit Similar →
1971 If Tomorrow Comes Tadashi Super Hit Similar →
1971 Silence Kichijiro Hit Similar →
1970 The Challenge Yuro Hit Similar →
1969 The Great Bank Robbery Secret Agent Fong Hit Similar →
1968 The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell Calvin Coolidge Ishimura Average Similar →
1966 The Sand Pebbles Po-han Hit Similar →
1966 The Ugly Dachshund Kenji Hit Similar →

Mako - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Mako?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Mako is "The Wash" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Mako acted in?

Mako has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Mako?

Other notable films include "An Unremarkable Life", "Nightingale", and "The Slanted Screen".

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