Niko (The Mask)

Niko or Don Niko is a fictional character from Chuck Russell's 1994 film, The Mask. Although he appears for a very short time, he is not necessarily considered a villain, but he is not a good character either

He is portrayed by the Cuban-American actor Orestes Matacena.

The Mask (1994 film)
Little is known about Niko's background and life, other that he is a feared Mafia Don in Edge City and owner of the Casino/Club named Coco Bongo. He is never seen without his Cuban cohorts, who are his personal bodyguards. He also has a group of gangsters who work under him, led by his right-hand man, Dorian Tyrell.

At some time or another, Niko learns that Tyrell's criminal activities have been bringing unwanted attention from the police, and that the Coco Bongo was on the verge of being shut down by them. Worried for his freedom, Niko tells his cohorts to bring Tyrell to him personally for a meeting. But the meeting turns out to be one that doesn't include civilised talk, since Niko has his men drag Tyrell to the floor and place a golf tee in his mouth. Niko then tells Tyrell the reason for this harsh treatment, and tells him that he has outlived his usefulness. But rather than kill Tyrell at that very moment, Niko tells Tyrell that he will be given a week to leave Edge City. If not, Niko will pistol-whip Tyrell with his Nine-Iron Golf Club.

Niko then tells his thugs to escort Tyrell out, unaware that Tyrell has been planning to overthrow him for a long time, and that his plan is slowly coming into action.

Two nights later, Niko attends a Charity Ball at the Coco Bongo, believing that Tyrell has left Edge City by now. Smoking rich cigars and drinking whisky, Niko celebrates with his men. However, the celebration is cut short when the Coco Bongo doors barge open and Niko sees a green-faced, ridiculously muscular man enter with gunmen. Niko identifies the man to be Tyrell, and a bloody gunfight between Niko and Tyrell's gangs ensues. Some of Tyrell's men are shot, but all of Niko's men are killed. Tyrell then challenges Niko to shoot him square in the stomach. Niko does so, but the bullets do not harm Tyrell. While Niko looks on in horror, Tyrell uses his supernatural abilities to breathe the bullets into his mouth and fire them back at Niko with his mouth, killing him instantly.

The Mask: The Animated Series
The now-deceased Niko does not appear in the animated series, but an early draft of one episode was to have the ghosts of Niko and Tyrell return to Edge City and wreak havoc. This episode was scrapped, and Niko was never seen again.