American actor best remembered for roles in Alien, The Running Man, Live and Let Die, Brubaker, Midnight Run, Across 110th Street, Blue Collar and TV show Homicide: Life on the Street.
Gerald S said on 13/May/23
Rob, who could have been a bigger 6'4" ranger out of Kotto and George Kennedy?
Editor Rob
In the past I'd probably have given George a greater chance in his prime to measure just over 6ft 4.
avi said on 27/Mar/21
Where is this listing from? He never looked over a strong 6'3.
Not 3 inches taller than Roger Moore.
6'3.5 would be generous
Paddy said on 26/Mar/21
6'4" exactly! RIP big guy!
Rampage(-_-_-)Clover said on 23/Mar/21
Strong 6ft4 no question in Live and Let Die....still looked around 6ft4 in the Homocide years. Phenomenal actor. Powerful screen presence. RIP big guy
Rob, any chance of giving a fraction over this?
Editor Rob
If in the future I see enough I might...I do still revisit many old films though I've not watched anything Yaphet was in for a while.
Covvvid1984. said on 16/Mar/21
The part in the running man proves arnie was never 6-2. Looks more that 2.5” taller than arnie in that film. Legit 6-4.
Jtm said on 16/Mar/21
Rip to this incredible actor. I was looking at his most recent pictures with Veronica Cartwright and Tom skeritt and at 75 he was still not looking less than 6’3. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was a little over 6’4 peak.
Sinclair said on 8/Aug/20
I used to think Kotto was only 6’2”-6’3” range but after seeing Alien and Midnight Run, I began to understand it would be hard to list him at anything under 6’4” and be sure of it. Kotto just never struck me as a ginormous man in The Thomas Crown Affair or in Live and Let Die. In Midnight Run, Kotto really gives a giant impression. This 6’4” listing is a great shout, Rob.
Rampage(-_-_-)Clover said on 10/Apr/19
If he was a bit over 6ft4 then there’s a good chance he was near 6ft6 in shoes
Daycringeothon said on 2/Feb/19
In Alien he has 7-8” on 5’8” Harry Dean Stanton. He has a large frame and barrel chested. He doesn’t seem over 192.5” or 6’3 5/8”. Sigourney Weaver wore flats and seemed 4.5” shorter than Kotto. The cast were relatively short and he still didn’t look overly tall next to them. He was probably never over 6’4” with natural walking posture. Strict posture maybe for a short period in the day. Best guess 6’3 1/4”-6’3 5/8”
Jug said on 14/Jul/17
6'4 for sure. Great actor.
Josh Jeffords said on 31/Oct/16
Guy is massive towers over 80s Arnold and most everyone else.
His head is way bigger than most too making him look bigger.
Wide build makes him shorter at a distance until he's looking down on you.
He had to be over 6 4 in prime maybe 6 5 back on alien.
Could easily pass 6 6 in shoes could be the claim.
Was a good actor cool deep voice slow deliberate manner.
Especially in 110th st with Tony Quinn gritty flick.
Rampage(-_-_-)Clover said on 7/Jul/16
Rob, how likely is a fraction over 6ft4 peak?
The 6ft6 claims are ridiculous though. Clearly 2in shorter than Geoffrey Hilder in Live & Let Die. But I did think he had about 3in on Moore
Editor Rob
it is believable, he could pass for a big 6ft 4 ranger
S.J.H said on 1/Mar/16
Compare a 6'4 guy like kyle secor he look nothing over 6'3 and maybe the 6'4 just adding shoe
Rampage(-_-_-)Clover said on 20/Jan/16
In the scenes he didn't share with Moore he actually could give a shorter impression because all the actors who played his bodyguards were his height or taller.
Rampage(-_-_-)Clover said on 20/Jan/16
"Peak height was 6ft 4½in (194cm)"
Looked that in the 70's. Superb character actor and a towering presence....but not 6ft6.
Halb said on 19/Jan/16
Looked a lot taller than AhNold in TRM.
Jake: 1.84 m- 1.85 m said on 1/Nov/15
Very, very tall and has a powerful presence whenever he's on screen.
Sam said on 19/May/15
Could you add Across 110th Street and Blue Collar to his credits, Rob?
Editor Rob said on 2/Apr/14
Well I found a quote of sorts:
"These guys drop the camera down, widen up the angle, and right away I'm 6 foot 6"
Sam said on 6/Feb/14
In Blue Collar, his character's height is cited as 6'5" in the union file on him. He certainly towered over the other two leads, Richard Pryor (who's file said 5'10") and Harvey Keitel (who's file said 5'8"). Blue Collar was an excellent unrated, little-known 70s movie, dark, racy and disturbing with a career-best performance from Pryor and a harrowing final scene for Kotto.
Arch Stanton said on 5/Feb/14
Looks 6'5 in Alien to me.
avi said on 11/Jan/14
Strong 6'3
Rampage(-_-_-)Clover said on 12/Aug/13
Peak: 6ft4.5in(194cm)
Today: 6ft3.5in(192cm)
Arch Stanton said on 18/Nov/12
For some reason Yaphet Kotto looked near 6'6" next to Arnie in The Running Man.
jasperwazap said on 28/Nov/11
used to get described as a 6'6'' guy but looks barely 6'3''at peak.
tammy said on 4/Sep/11
There is no way he is 6'4"! In Homicide: Life on the Street, he towered over 6'4" Kyle Secor. He looked 6'6"!
Rampage(-_-_-)Clover said on 29/May/11
Okay, in his younger days he was a solid 6ft4.5 guy maybe even a weak 6ft5. Today though he's probably heading towards 6ft3.
194-195cm prime
192cm today
Sam said on 15/Mar/11
In the movie "Blue Collar", you can see that a profile on his character says he's 6'5"
Mr. Kaplan said on 13/Feb/11
He's a weird case. I don't deny he is most likely 6'4", but doesn't look it. He doesn't really stand out as a tall guy and looks 6'2".
Ange said on 11/Jun/09
Doug, I agree with you. He just looks huge and didn't seem to lose much height. But c'mon, after 6.4, what difference does it make... 6'5 or 6'6. From where I stand (5'0.25) anything over 5'7 looks huge to me!
Brad said on 23/May/09
Owned him by a duece. As listed.
Hugh 190cm said on 23/May/09
6ft4.5 maybe peak. Not Quite 6ft5.
Doug said on 18/Apr/09
6'4" is about right, barefoot anyway. Definately wasn't 6'6" c'mon in Live and Let Die you'd have noticed if he was THAT gigantic. 6'3"-6'4", 240 pounds is about what I'd have estimated.
Doug said on 18/Apr/09
He probably was a solid 6'5" peak, but only in shoes Adam.
Doug said on 18/Apr/09
Solid 6'4". Big guy. Legit 6'4"ers (barefoot) often give off a 6'5"-6'6" impression in shoes but its not true.
adam said on 7/Mar/09
Patrick says on 15/Sep/07
Ivan, a suggestion: WEAR GLASSES, no offense!
There is no movie Yaphett, one of the most UNDERrated actor ever, does not look 6'4 MINIMUM. Take Brubaker or Homicide! In that last one, fortunately, there was Kyle Secor, less strapping but as tall as him and Secor is 6'5 and not less than 6'4.
Re-read in scrolling down, the very interesting 6june Tubbs comment!
And it is true he draws Alien crew!
Correct.
Tony said on 7/Dec/08
Anonymous says on 15/Dec/07
Kotto looked a shade taller than 6'3.5" Julius Harris in Live and Let Die. But then again, he looked about 3" taller than Arnold in The Running Man. Hmm... Is it possible to grow in your 30s and 40s?....
Nah...
I remember hearing that Julius Harris was 6'4" somewhere a while back and Arnold has been listed as 6'1.5" here so I'd say Kotto is about 6'4.5".
No its because arnold was never 6'2
Cobra said on 18/Oct/08
If Kotto is that tall, I wonder how tall the guy with the mechanical arm in Live and Let Die was.
Ivan 6'2.25 said on 17/Oct/08
He was 6'4 tall.
adam said on 16/Oct/08
Yes Ange, I`ve seen him listed at 6-6 too. I`d say he really was close to the listing!
Ange said on 13/Oct/08
I have seen this cat listed at 6'6? This seems entirely plausible. I was watching the episode "All through the house" (homicide) and in a scene with Secor, my god, Kotto had him beat by at least an inch! Normally, Secor beats everyone else on the set. Neither appeared to be wearing dodgy footwear, or if so it was comparable.
Anonymous said on 23/Sep/08
Looks at least 2 inches taller than Roger Moore in live and let die
adam said on 12/Sep/08
Ange, I completely agree with you. At least 6-5.
Ange said on 9/Sep/08
I think he might be a little taller than this stated height. On Homicide he was up there with Secor who looks to be at least 6'5 and he dwarfed both Belzer and Braugher, neither of which are boot brigaders.
adam said on 28/Aug/08
Rob, you said that Kotto could be upgraded to 6-4. Well, I appreciate again (like with Duke) that you do listen to me. I also like that you dont easily believe everyone and upgrade when some guy says so. You need proof. I like it and you`ll have it.
Like I`ve said: Alien. I remember the scene where he walks in some tunnel with some other guy and looks enormous! Like a close foot taller! I doubt the guy was as short as 5-4 or something. Also, like the Man said:
TheMan says on 25/Aug/08
This guy is taller than this for sure he was at least 4 inches taller than arnold he's at least 6,4 id say 6,5 big guy. I agree with you Adam. I could see even 6,6 he was towering over Arnold.
We all know that Arnold is a tall man and was a very close 6-2 in those days. 6-1
adam said on 27/Aug/08
TheMan, yes.
This 6-3
TheMan said on 25/Aug/08
This guy is taller than this for sure he was at least 4 inches taller than arnold he's at least 6,4 id say 6,5 big guy. I agree with you Adam. I could see even 6,6 he was towering over Arnold.
adam said on 14/Aug/08
I think this is one of the few thing in this site that is clearly wrong. Sorry but I dont think there`s any chance that the guy was only 6-3
Anonymous said on 15/Dec/07
Kotto looked a shade taller than 6'3.5" Julius Harris in Live and Let Die. But then again, he looked about 3" taller than Arnold in The Running Man. Hmm... Is it possible to grow in your 30s and 40s?....
Nah...
I remember hearing that Julius Harris was 6'4" somewhere a while back and Arnold has been listed as 6'1.5" here so I'd say Kotto is about 6'4.5".
Joshua said on 16/Nov/07
Watch Alien and tell me he looks 6-3, just f`n tell me! 6ft 3 OR 6ft 4 aint able to tower that way Kotto did in Alien. I agree what many sites say. Yaphet Kotto is, no less than 6-feet-6. Period.
6-5 at very least. That 6-3 is ridiculous. But I agree, in Live And Let Die he didn`t look more than 6-3 but I think camera angles and all that stuff made him look smaller. They didn`t want him to look that dominating for many reasons.
1) If you are 6-6 and have a psysique Kotto had in that movie those bodyguards like Julius Harris would have looked quite funny.
2) Maybe, just maybe they didn`t want Moore looke that much shorter.
Well, yes. My honest opinion is that Kotto is no less than 6-feet-5 and coud very well be even 6-feet-6.
Tubbs, you are right. Boran... YOU are an idiot. 6-2.... yeah! Watch Alien, boy.
tubbs said on 29/Oct/07
Boran, i'm just adding to this page what was in the Roger Moore Live and Let Die diary, how does that make me an idiot? I am not Patrick, although we hold the same view on Kotto, not only on his height, but acting ability too. Thanks Gonzalo...Boran, I am not offended, just show a little more class, this is a great website that has no place for comments like of your nature.
Patrick said on 15/Sep/07
Ivan, a suggestion: WEAR GLASSES, no offense!
There is no movie Yaphett, one of the most UNDERrated actor ever, does not look 6'4 MINIMUM. Take Brubaker or Homicide! In that last one, fortunately, there was Kyle Secor, less strapping but as tall as him and Secor is 6'5 and not less than 6'4.
Re-read in scrolling down, the very interesting 6june Tubbs comment!
And it is true he draws Alien crew!
Ivan 6'2.25 said on 6/Jul/07
In live and let die, have a single inch taller than 6'1 roger moore
He seems to be 6'2 at his best and is quite tall on screen.
Rachel said on 24/Jun/07
the guy looks huge, 191cm seems low..he is no less than 193 I think
Tubbs said on 6/Jun/07
Quote taken from Roger Moore's Live and Let Die Diary "On my return I came face to face for the first time with the villain of our piece, Yaphett Kotto, a mountain of a man, all 6ft4 and muscled 250 pounds of him was waiting to see me in the bar. I felt a bit of a beanpole by comparison"
Too many people are suggesting he is above 6'3" to be anything other than that, maybe an upgrade required Rob?
5'11.5 guy said on 28/Apr/07
Yaphet Kotto was/is 6'4-6'5. No way 6'3. He DWARFED all of the other cast members in Alien.
Frank2 said on 9/Mar/06
I met him while working at MGM. Yaphet looked to be at least 6'4".
Mario said on 8/Mar/06
Yaphet Kotto must be taller. Look at those pics with De Niro in Midnight Run.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/kerdaben/aaaaaaa1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/kerdaben/aaaaaaaaaaa2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/kerdaben/aaaaaaaaa4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/kerdaben/aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/kerdaben/aaaaa5.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/kerdaben/aaaaaaaaa6.jpg
Closer to 6 ft 5 than 6 ft 3, don
M1ghty said on 2/Feb/06
He looked way taller (6'5?) in The Running Man next to Arnold Schwarzenegger ... Cannot believe he's "only" 6'3 ...
Mario Nariano said on 11/Nov/05
Difficult, It's a shame that there aren't really good scenes in Live and Let die too compare his height to Roger Moore. In Midnight Run a movie of 1988 when he was 51 years old, he looked like a giant, a lot taller than De Niro who was 175 CM probably. To me he looked 6 ft 4 at his peak.
sam said on 8/Nov/05
In the movie Blue Collar, there's a scene where the 3 main actor's characters heights are listed in their files.
For it said Richard Pryor 5'10", for Harvey Keitel it said 5'8", and for Yaphet Kotto it appeared to say 6'5". Kotto is a big guy, much larger than either Pryor or Keitel, but has never looked 6'5" to me.