Rest in peace to the voice behind Uncle Iroh, Aku and Master Splinter 🕊️
Remembering Mako, born Makoto Iwamatsu, who passed away 20 years ago this July at the age of 72. A trailblazing Japanese-American actor, voice artist, and theater pioneer, he helped break barriers for Asian performers while creating some of animation’s most unforgettable characters.
His iconic roles and contributions included:
• Uncle Iroh — Avatar: The Last Airbender
• Aku — Samurai Jack
• Master Splinter — TMNT
• Po-Han — The Sand Pebbles
• Akiro — Conan the Barbarian
• The Reciter — Pacific Overtures
• Co-founder of East West Players
Mako brought warmth and wisdom to Uncle Iroh, while his booming, theatrical performance made Aku one of animation’s greatest villains. His emotional rendition of “Leaves from the Vine” remains one of Avatar’s most heartbreaking moments.
Rest in peace, Mako. Your unforgettable voice will live on forever ❤️
@radi0lover I’m sorry to hear that sir, I really hope it gets better for the both of you but fuck him for doing that to her and trying to rope you into it too
Hard truth…
I can speak freely because I’m 65 years old and my pocketful of fucks is seriously depleted.
Working as a paralegal at various studios in LA for thirty years…I had the opportunity to observe studio executives closely.
They’re generally a slippery and clueless bunch who shouldn’t be allowed near anything remotely creative…but the new regime at Paramount is straight up evil.
I assure you.
These soulless bastards have nothing but contempt for a show about grace and redemption and the struggle against fascism.
ATLA is a mystery to them.
They. Do. Not. Value. The. Franchise.