Born in Japan, Mako was living there with his grandparents while his parents studied art in the United States, when Japan and the U.S. went to war in 1941. His parents remained in the U.S., working for the Office of War Information, and, at the cessation of the conflict, were granted U.S. residency by Congress. Mako joined his parents in New York and studied architecture. He entered the U.S. Army in the early 1950s and acted in shows for military personnel, discovering a talent and love for the theatre. He abandoned his plans to become architect and instead enrolled at the famed Pasadena Community Playhouse in California. Following his studies there, he appeared in many stage productions and on television. In 1966, he won an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor for his first film role, as the coolie Po-Han in The Sand Pebbles. Only occasionally since have his roles reached the level of his talents, but he has worked steadily in feature films ever since. He appeared on Broadway in the leading role in Stephen Sondheim's "Pacific Overtures" and he co-founded and served as artistic director for the highly-acclaimed East-West Players theatre company in Los Angeles.

After a long battle and illness from cancer, he passed away on the twenty first of July in 2006, at the age of 72. He was survived by his wife, Shizuko Hoshi, who co-starred in episodes of M*A*S*H, as well, and his children and grand-children.
Became a naturalized citizen in 1956. Frequently cast by Chuck Norris Children: daughters Sala and Mimosa. Was nominated for Broadway's 1976 Tony Award as Best Actor (Musical) for "Pacific Overtures." Artistic Director Emeritus of the nation's premier Asian American theatre organization, East West Players, located in the "Little Tokyo" area of Los Angeles, California, USA. Passed away 1 day after being officially announced as the voice of "Master Splinter" in the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. In the months before his death, he was preparing to appear with his wife in an East West production of the comedy "Motty Chon." Instead of recasting the part, the company, out of respect, canceled the production. Pioneer of Asian American theater in Los Angeles. Wife Shizuko Hoshi is a dancer, choreographer and actress. He was the East West Players first artistic director in 1965. He also taught acting classes there to help pay the company's bills. The company's first home was a basement in a Silver Lake church secured by co-founder Beulah Quo. Later it moved to a storefront on Santa Monica Blvd. Since 1998 it has been housed in the historic Union Center for the Arts and performs in a 240 seat theater. Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Actors Branch)