Yaphet Kotto in Live And Let Die Photo: MGM |
She wrote: "I'm saddened and still in shocked of the passing of my husband, Yaphet, of 24 years. He died last night around 10:30pm Philippine time."
Noting that the actor had plans for more movies and a book, she added: "You played a villain on some of your movies but for me you're a real hero and to a lot of people also. A good man, a good father, a good husband and a decent human being, very rare to find.
"One of the best actors in Hollywood, a Legend. Rest in Peace, Honey, I'm gonna miss you everyday, my best friend, my rock. I love you and you will always be in my heart."
Kotto enjoyed a successful career on the big and small screen, taking on the role of dictator and drug baron Dr Kananga (Mr Big) in James Bond's 1973 outing Live And Let Die as well as playing Alien chief engineer Dennis Parker and helping Arnie fight the bad guys in The Running Man. For legions of TV fans, however, the New York born star is best known for his portrayal of police commander Al Giardello in Homicide: Life On The Street, for which he also wrote a number of episodes.