Actor Taylor Wily, known for his role in the reboot of Hawaii Five-0, has passed away at the age of 56, as confirmed by his entertainment lawyer to CBS News, a partner of BBC.
Wily, a Hawaii native, portrayed the character Kamekona Tupuola in Hawaii Five-0 and reprised the role in Magnum P.I. Tributes have poured in, including heartfelt messages from Peter Lenkov, executive producer of both shows, expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
Originally a sumo wrestler, Wily transitioned to acting after leaving the sport due to knee injuries in the late 1980s. His career included appearances in films such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall alongside Jason Segel and Mila Kunis. However, Wily cherished his time on Hawaii Five-0 above all, describing it as the “best job in the world” because it allowed him to work in Hollywood while staying in his beloved Hawaii.
Wily’s passing has deeply affected those who knew him, with Lenkov describing him as family and expressing gratitude for their shared experiences on the show.
3.5