Current:Home > ScamsTaylor Wily, 'Hawaii Five-0' and 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' actor, dies at 56 -Wealth Empowerment Zone
Taylor Wily, 'Hawaii Five-0' and 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' actor, dies at 56
View
Date:2025-04-12 11:01:14
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! (88585)
Related
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- Capri Sun launches Big Jugs that equal 32 pouches of juice. Here’s where to find them.
- Takeaways from the AP’s investigation into how US prisoners are hurt or killed on the job
- 2024 NFL regular season: Complete week-by-week schedule for 18-week, 17-game slate
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Sophie Turner Shares Frustration at Being Considered One of The Wives During Joe Jonas Marriage
- Donald Trump asks New York’s high court to intervene in fight over gag order in hush money trial
- Family of Lewiston shooter to testify before commission investigating tragedy
- From bitter rivals to Olympic teammates, how Lebron and Steph Curry became friends
- Why Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Isn’t Nominated at 2024 ACM Awards
Ranking
- Breaking debut in Olympics raises question: Are breakers artists or athletes?
- Supreme Court lets Louisiana use congressional map with new majority-Black district in 2024 elections
- Sophie Turner Breaks Silence on Shocking Aftermath of Joe Jonas Divorce
- Climate change is destroying the natural wonders many U.S. parks are named for
- USA men's volleyball mourns chance at gold after losing 5-set thriller, will go for bronze
- House signs off on FAA bill that addresses aircraft safety and and refund rights of passengers
- King of walks: 25-year-old Juan Soto breaks Mickey Mantle record
- Family of California Navy veteran who died after officer knelt on his neck settles lawsuit for $7.5M
Recommendation
Sam Taylor
Department of Justice says Boeing may be criminally liable in 737 Max crashes
Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker rails against Pride month, abortion and diabolic lies told to women in commencement speech
Medics at UCLA protest say police weapons drew blood and cracked bones
Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
Camille Kostek and Rob Gronkowski Privately Broke Up and Got Back Together
North Carolina bill forcing sheriffs to aid immigration agents still under review in House
DJ Akademiks, Off The Record podcast host, accused of rape and defamation