Mako was born in Kobe, Japan, the son of noted children's book author and illustrator Taro Yashima. His parents moved to the United States when he was a small child. He joined them there after World War II, in 1949, joining the military in the 1950s. He became a naturalized American citizen in 1956. When Mako first joined his parents in the USA, he studied architecture. During his military service, he discovered his theatrical talent, and trained at the Pasadena Community Playhouse. Mako was married to actress Shizuko Hoshi with whom he had two daughters (both are actresses) and three grandchildren. 마코(1933년생, Kobe, Japan) 는 배우로, 대표작으로 코난 2: 디스트로이어, 티벳에서의 7년, 닌자 거북이 TMNT가 있으며, 그 외에도 프레이저, 웨스트 윙, 형사 콜롬보, 몽크, JAG, A 특공대, Ironside, M*A*S*H, Diagnosis: Murder, Hawaii Five-O, American Playhouse, 토니상 등 다양한 작품에 출연했다. (오뜨랑에서 실시간으로 번역된 한글 프로필도 확인할 수 있어요) 2017년 Samurai Jack: The Premiere Movie에서 Aku (voice) 역을 맡았다. 2007년 블러드 헌터에서 Poe 역을 맡았다. 2007년 닌자 거북이 TMNT에서 Splinter (voice) 역을 맡았다.