Current:Home > reviewsTaylor Wily, 'Hawaii Five-0' and 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' actor, dies at 56 -Balance Wealth Academy
Taylor Wily, 'Hawaii Five-0' and 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' actor, dies at 56
View
Date:2025-04-13 13:29:18
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! (1313)
Related
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- Maui’s toxic debris could fill 5 football fields 5 stories deep. Where will it end up?
- NASCAR Atlanta live updates: How to watch Sunday's Cup Series playoff race
- The AI industry uses a light lobbying touch to educate Congress from a corporate perspective
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Ella Travolta honors late mom Kelly Preston in new song, shares old home videos
- Week 2 college football predictions: Expert picks for Michigan-Texas and every Top 25 game
- Mega Millions skyrockets to $800 million. See the winning numbers for September 6 drawing
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Demi Moore on 'The Substance' and that 'disgusting' Dennis Quaid shrimp scene
Ranking
- New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
- All The Emmy-Nominated Book to Television Adaptations You'll Want to Read
- A Colorado State Patrol trooper is shot while parked along a highway and kills gunman
- Charles Barkley keeps $1 million promise to New Orleans school after 2 students' feat
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- Hunter Woodhall wins Paralympic sprint title to join his wife as a gold medalist
- 10 unwritten rules of youth sports: Parents can prevent fights with this 24-hour rule
- ‘Wicked’ director Jon M. Chu on ‘shooting the moon,’ casting Ariana Grande and growing 9M tulips
Recommendation
Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
Colorado vs. Nebraska score: Highlights from Cornhuskers football win over Buffaloes today
Sharp divisions persist over Walz’s response to the riots that followed the murder of George Floyd
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels scores first career NFL touchdown on run
New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
Julianne Hough's Honest Revelations: What She's Said About Sexuality, Love, Loss and More
AP Top 25: SEC grabs six of the first seven spots in rankings as Notre Dame tumbles to No. 18
Inside the Gruesome Deadpool Killer Case That Led to a Death Sentence for Wade Wilson