Yaphet Kotto gets award from his former New York Bronx elementary school

Jet, June 6, 1994

More than 30 years ago, Yaphet Kotto worked in the kitchen of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York.

The actor returned to the hotel recently to receive in award from his former elementary school.

"It's very strange. There you are, a movie star, with people asking for your autograph," said the man who stars in the NBC series "Homicide" as well as films including Alien, Midnight Run and Live and Let Die.

Kotto was honored by the South Bronx's St. Augustine School for the Arts at a fund-raising luncheon at the Waldorf's Starlight Roof.

Kotto recalled the days when he earned about $65 a week at the elegant hotel and was sometimes allowed to take food home.

"I thought that was hot stuff, you know. Taking the train back to the Bronx with some chicken or steak."