WASHINGTON — Actor Taylor Wily, known for his role as Kamekona Tupuola in the "Hawaii Five-0," has died. He was 56 years old.
"Hawaii Five-0" executive producer Peter M. Lenkov confirmed the actor and former sumo wrestler's death on Thursday in a series of Instagram posts.
"T, as I told you many times, I fell in love with you at the first audition" Lenkov wrote in his caption. "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."
"PS: when we spoke last week, we laughed at how right you were from Day 1," Lenkov continued. "Five-0 was our dream job. And I was so lucky we got to share that magic together."
KITV 4, based in Honolulu, was the first to report Wily’s death on Thursday. Additional details about the cause remain unknown. TV and radio personality Lina Girl Langi said on the show “Island Life Live” that she announced the news “with a heavy heart,” as Wily was a friend.
Wily, born Teila Tuli, played Kamekona Tupuola in "Hawaii Five-0" from 2010 through 2020 and became a fan-favorite. He continued in the same role with the reboot of “Magnum P.I.” and made a memorable appearance as a hotel worker in the 2008 comedy “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.”
Before he began acting, Wily was a well-known sumo wrestler and UFC 1 fighter.
The 56-year-old actor was featured in UFC's first broadcasted fight.
He became the first knockout victim in UFC history in 1993 when opponent Gerard Gordeau's kick knocked a tooth clear out of Wily's mouth, ending the fight after just 26 seconds.
He is survived by his wife, Wily is survived by his wife, Halona, and their two children.