Taylor Wily dies at 56: Sumo wrestler turned actor who played Kamekona on 'Hawaii Five-0' remembered fondly
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: ‘Hawaii Five-O’ star Taylor Wily has died at age 56.
The former Sumo wrestler and an MMA fighter’s passing away was confirmed by Hawaiian celebrity Lina Girl Langi, on Thursday, June 20.
"It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of the passing of a Hawaii celebrity who was also a family friend,” Langi shared on her lifestyle show Island Life Live.
“Taylor Wily, former wrestler, MMA fighter, and actor passed away today in Hurricane, Utah.” Her co-host Davey D also remembered Wily as the “kindest," and “gentlest souls."
Langi added, “He would look physically menacing until you just folded right into a hug, and that was it. My heart is breaking.”
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Taylor Wily's big breakthrough with ‘Hawaii Five-O'
Wily moved to full-time acting and played brief but important roles in shows such as the original 'Magnum PI', 'North Shore', and 'One West' in the 1980s to early 2000s.
He also featured in movies, including 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' and 'Radical' before landing a series regular role as Kamekona on 'Hawaii Five-0'.
Wily appeared in 171 episodes of the series, which was telecasted from 2010 to 2020. He also reprised the role in the 'Magnum PI' reboot, reported People.
'Hawaii Five-0' and 'Magnum PI' executive producer Peter Lenkov also paid tribute to the star on Instagram by sharing a photo of the pair on set.
“I am devastated. Heartbroken. I’ll post some detailed feeling in a few days. Just too hard right now,” he wrote.
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Netizens remember Taylor Wily's great acting
The Internet offered condolences to Wily's family after his death.
One user wrote on Facebook, “I love this guy character RIP 💔.”
Loved this man great actor love his praise book um Dano RIP Jack ♥️♥️,” another expressed.
A user said, “Our sincere condolences to the family wonderful actor 🙏.”
“Loved his character. Very talented actor. Condolences to his family,” a fan wrote.
"I’m heartbroken 💔 my sincere condolences 'best garlic shrimp on the island' RIP," added another.
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