LOS ANGELES, July 23 (UPI) -- Mako, a pioneer in the acceptance of Asian Americans into Hollywood, has died in California at the age of 72 from esophageal cancer.
The Los Angeles Times said Mako, who was born Makoto Iwamatsu and revolutionized Hollywood's stereotyped view of Asian-American actors, died Friday at his home in the Ventura County town of Somis.
Mako first drew the attention of U.S. moviegoers in 1966 when he was nominated for an Academy Award for his compelling turn as the Chinese character Po-han in the film, "The Sand Pebbles."
Later he formed the first Asian-American theater company, East West Players, where he trained scores of aspiring playwrights and actors over the years.
"What many people say is, 'If it wasn't for Mako there wouldn't have been Asian-American theater,'" artistic director of East West Players, Tim Dang, told the Times. "He is revered as sort of the godfather of Asian American theater."
