Current:Home > MyTaylor Wily, 'Hawaii Five-0' and 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' actor, dies at 56 -AssetLink
Taylor Wily, 'Hawaii Five-0' and 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' actor, dies at 56
View
Date:2025-04-16 13:28:33
Taylor Wily, a former sumo wrestler and UFC fighter who went on to portray entrepreneur and informant Kamekona for 10 seasons on the CBS revival of "Hawaii Five-0," has died.
He was 56.
His manager, Michael Henderson, confirmed to USA TODAY on Friday that Wily died Thursday, citing "natural causes."
Honolulu's KITV4 Island News was first to report on Wily's passing.
“Hawaii Five-0” showrunner Peter M. Lenkov paid tribute to Wily — born Teila Tuli — in an Instagram post Thursday.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
"I am devastated. Heartbroken. I’ll post some detailed feelings later. Just too hard right now," he captioned a photo of the two of them.
In a follow-up post featuring photos of the actor from throughout the years, Lenkov wrote, "T, as I told you many times, I fell in love with you at the first audition. You came in with a towel on your head mopping up sweat, and I was smitten. You charmed me into making you a regular… on the show… and in my life. You were family. And I will miss you every day, brother."
He added, "PS: when we spoke last week, we laughed at how right you were from Day 1. Five-0 was our dream job. And I was so lucky we got to share that magic together."
In his Instagram Stories, Lenkov revealed he "never got tired of watching (Wily), and he was an incredible actor."
Wily also made several crossover appearances as Kamekona on Seasons 1 and 2 of "Magnum P.I." per IMDB.
Wily's Kamekona — the task force's confidential informant and an entrepreneur who ran Waiola Shave Ice, Kamekona's Shrimp Truck and Kamekona's Helicopter Tours — made his debut in the "Hawaii Five-O" premiere in 2010. He remained in the role until the CBS series came to an end in 2020.
Wily was also featured in the 2008 rom-com "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and played hotel worker Kemo, who becomes a confidant to Peter Bretter, played by Jason Segel.
veryGood! (4)
Related
- Hidden Home Gems From Kohl's That Will Give Your Space a Stylish Refresh for Less
- Bravo's Captain Lee Rosbach Reveals Shocking Falling Out With Carl Radke After Fight
- Former astronaut William Anders, who took iconic Earthrise photo, killed in Washington plane crash
- Teenager who killed 4 in Michigan high school shooting appeals life sentence
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- Documents reveal horror of Maine’s deadliest mass shooting
- Experimental student testing model slated for statewide rollout
- Alex Jones to liquidate assets to pay Sandy Hook families
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Black D-Day combat medic’s long-denied medal tenderly laid on Omaha Beach where he bled, saved lives
Ranking
- Louisiana high court temporarily removes Judge Eboni Johnson Rose from Baton Rouge bench amid probe
- John Stamos talks rocking through Beach Boys stage fails, showtime hair, Bob Saget lessons
- Manhattan district attorney agrees to testify in Congress, but likely not until Trump is sentenced
- Natalie Joy Shares How a Pregnancy Scare Made Her and Nick Viall Re-Evaluate Family Plans
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- Make a Splash With 60% Off Deals on Swimwear From Nordstrom Rack, Aerie, Lands’ End, Cupshe & More
- Boston Pride 2024: Date, route, how to watch and stream Pride parade
- Inside RuPaul and Husband Georges LeBar's Famously Private Love Story
Recommendation
From bitter rivals to Olympic teammates, how Lebron and Steph Curry became friends
Who are the highest-paid players in the WNBA? A list of the top 10 salaries in 2024.
Ex-Dolphin Xavien Howard is accused of sending a teen an explicit photo over an abortion quarrel
Make a Splash With 60% Off Deals on Swimwear From Nordstrom Rack, Aerie, Lands’ End, Cupshe & More
9/11 hearings at Guantanamo Bay in upheaval after surprise order by US defense chief
Cliff divers ready to plunge 90 feet from a Boston art museum in sport’s marquee event
Matthew McConaughey’s Wife Camila Alves and Daughter Vida Have Stellar Twinning Moment
Ex-Dolphin Xavien Howard is accused of sending a teen an explicit photo over an abortion quarrel