# The Wizard Vanishes: Mako dead at 72... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 22, 2006, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wizard-vanishes-mako-dead-at-72/365622 "2006-07-22T18:57:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wizard-vanishes-mako-dead-at-72/365622/1 "2006-07-22T18:57:17Z")
No official word yet, but an LJ Friend whose partner is active in the LA stage scene has just posted that [Mako](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0538683/), whose career on screens both large and small spanned almost 45 years, died yesterday of throat cancer. His roles include The Wizard in _Conan the Barbarian_ and _Conan the Destroyer_, an Oscar-nominated turn in _The Sand Pebbles_, Aku the evil sorcerer in _Samurai Jack_, and dozens of other roles. He was also a huge figure in the LA live theater community. Just thought you’d like to know… ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wizard-vanishes-mako-dead-at-72/365622/2 "2006-07-22T19:08:26Z")
I think I first saw him in the movie “The Hawaiian’s”, based on a novel by Michener. He played a Chinese man who contracted leprosy and was exiled to the island of Molokai, a horrifying place. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wizard-vanishes-mako-dead-at-72/365622/3 "2006-07-22T19:11:44Z")
A steadfast performer who played Asians of every stripe and always added depth to the films he was in. A sad day. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wizard-vanishes-mako-dead-at-72/365622/4 "2006-07-22T19:48:09Z")
Damn, I liked him a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wizard-vanishes-mako-dead-at-72/365622/5 "2006-07-22T20:20:03Z")
He had a small role in _Tucker: The Man and His Dream_ as Tucker’s engineer. “Twin torque convertors? There’s no time to make them.” ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wizard-vanishes-mako-dead-at-72/365622/6 "2006-07-22T22:48:39Z")
He also played Mr. Lee in Sidekicks. I was an uncredited extra in that movie, and got to meet him. Quite a nice man. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2006, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wizard-vanishes-mako-dead-at-72/365622/7 "2006-07-23T02:02:36Z")
His performance in_The Hawaiians_ (no apostrophe) did the neat trick of making the story of his supporting character more interesting than that of any of the leads. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2006, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wizard-vanishes-mako-dead-at-72/365622/8 "2006-07-23T03:50:25Z")
I recommend going out on the balcony or other appropriately high overlook and giving a loud Aku laugh in his memory. MWAH-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HAAAAAA! ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2006, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wizard-vanishes-mako-dead-at-72/365622/9 "2006-07-23T03:54:30Z")
I _still_ can’t find anything official on this. I don’t have any reasons to be suspicious of my LJ Friend, but not being able to even find a mention on Google or even in the LA Times obits nags at me… ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2006, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wizard-vanishes-mako-dead-at-72/365622/10 "2006-07-23T11:25:27Z")
Confirmated: > **[Mako, 72; Actor Opened Door for Asian Americans](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-jul-23-me-mako23-story.html)** > > In the early days of his acting career, when most roles offered to Asian American actors were caricatures or stereotypes, Mako took just such a part and used it to open the doors of Hollywood and Broadway to others. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2006, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wizard-vanishes-mako-dead-at-72/365622/11 "2006-07-23T12:07:50Z")
He was just signed to be the voice of Master Splinter in the new _Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles_ movie. Doggone. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2006, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wizard-vanishes-mako-dead-at-72/365622/12 "2006-07-23T12:43:16Z")
_Uncle Iroh: So this is how the great commander Zhao acts in defeat… disgraceful! Even in exile my nephew is more honorable then you. Thank you again for the tea. It was delicious. [They leave] Prince Zuko: Did you really mean what you said, Uncle? Uncle Iroh: Of course. I love Ginseng tea._ **Avatar: The Last Airbender** …goodbye Uncle Iroh… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2006, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wizard-vanishes-mako-dead-at-72/365622/13 "2006-07-23T14:23:26Z")
I remember him from a couple episodes of M_A_S\*H, especially the one with the prisoner exchange on Rainbow Bridge (I think that was the name of it) and one where he takes Hawkeye hostage to help his friend who eventually dies. I always liked him. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2006, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wizard-vanishes-mako-dead-at-72/365622/14 "2006-07-24T06:35:21Z")
So now is not a good time to mention I’ve never heard of this gentleman before? ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2006, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wizard-vanishes-mako-dead-at-72/365622/15 "2006-07-24T09:33:03Z")
[QUOTE=Martini Enfield] So now is not a good time to mention I’ve never heard of this gentleman before? [/QUOTE] If you watch a lot of American movies & TV, you’ve seen him. He’s “That Japanese Guy” who fills in any ethnic role when Pat Morita isn’t available. Sightings include Mr. Sakamoto (“Big Titty?”) in _Taking Care of Business_, Admiral Yamamoto in _Pearl Harbor_, the tormented renter in _Pacific Heights_, the gas station owner (and father of the retarded kid) in _Testament_, and dozens of guest star TV appearances from _I Dream of Jeannie_ to _Monk_. Such a shame we won’t be seeing That Japanese Guy anymore. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2006, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wizard-vanishes-mako-dead-at-72/365622/16 "2006-07-24T14:07:25Z")
[QUOTE=KGS] If you watch a lot of American movies & TV, you’ve seen him. He’s “That Japanese Guy” who fills in any ethnic role when Pat Morita isn’t available. [/QUOTE] Actually, I would have said “Soon Teck-Oh” instead of “Pat Morita.” ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2006, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wizard-vanishes-mako-dead-at-72/365622/17 "2006-07-24T14:08:27Z")
Actually, I also would have said “Soon Teck Oh” instead of “Soon Teck-Oh.” ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2006, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wizard-vanishes-mako-dead-at-72/365622/18 "2006-07-24T17:06:17Z")
He trained Jackie Chan’s charector in “The Big Brawl”… Once you know who he is, he’s fun to watch for in the movies… ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2006, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wizard-vanishes-mako-dead-at-72/365622/19 "2006-07-24T17:38:14Z")
I think of him as the Magnum PI guy for some reason. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2006, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wizard-vanishes-mako-dead-at-72/365622/20 "2006-07-25T02:43:07Z")
He was my sister-in-law’s uncle. She sent me an LA Times obit in today’s email. Very sad. He was a deeply respected actor and acting teacher and mentor. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wizard-vanishes-mako-dead-at-72/365622.md?page=2)