First Black Villain In James Bond Film Dies

 

Yaphet Kotto, the first black man to star as a villain in the James Bond franchise has passed away. He was famed for his role in Allien and Live and Let's Die. 

The deceased, 81, was also famed for starring in Arnold Schwarzenegger's 1987 film Running Man and was portrayed as the late Ugandan dictator, Idi-Amin, in the television drama Raid Of Entebbe.

Born in New York, Kotto who was of Cameroonian descend made his film debut in 4 For Texas in 1963 at the age of 23. As a gradually established himself as an actor, he was launched to fame when he made James Bond debut as Mr. Big in Live and Let Die in 1972. 

"You played a villain on some of your movies but for me you're a hero and to a lot of people also," the deceased's wife Sinahom Thessa described him. 

Kotto received an Emmy nomination for his role as Idi-Amin and was also known for his role in NBC's action-adventure drama, The A-Team.