The entertainment world is in mourning after the sad news of the death of Taylor Wileythe charismatic actor known for his role as Kamekona Tupuola in the popular series ‘Hawaii 5.0’. To the 56 yearsWily left a void in the industry and in the hearts of those who knew him.
The news was reported by KITV Island News, a local media outlet in Hawaii. Peter M. Lenkov, executive producer of ‘Hawaii 5.0’, confirmed the news through his Instagram account, expressing his deep sorrow.
“I am devastated. With a broken heart. I’ll post some detailed feelings later. Too hard right now,” Lenkov wrote, and showed a photograph with Wily that reflected the good times shared during the production of the series.
Taylor Wily.
Getty Images
The shock of Wily’s loss spread quickly, and family, friends and professional colleagues flooded social networks with messages of condolences and fond memories. The KITV host, in announcing his passing, described him as “a family friend,” and underscored the personal impact Wily had on the Hawaii community.
Daniela Machorro
What did Taylor Wily die from?
Despite the statements that came to light and the information disseminated by the local media in Hawaii, the truth is that At the moment it is not known what the cause of Taylor Wily’s death is.
Taylor Wily, born Teila Tuli, was born in Hawaii in 1968. Before entering the world of acting, he had a notable career as a sumo wrestler, becoming one of the few Americans to join this prestigious Japanese sport.
In 1993, Taylor Wily took an unexpected turn in her career by participating in the first event of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC 1). Although his match against Gerard Gordeau did not end in his favor, Wily never regretted accepting the challenge.
Before embarking on his acting career, Wily had a deep connection with sumo, being recruited by renowned former sekiwake Takamiyama Daigorō due to his natural talent. The Hawaiian achieved an impressive record by winning his first 14 official fights and several championships. However, his promising sumo career was cut short by a knee injury, leading him to retire from the sport.
This setback marked a turning point in his life. Away from the tatami, Wily decided to explore the world of acting and landed roles in various productions.. His notable film debut was in the romantic comedy ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’, directed by Nicholas Stoller, where he played a friendly hotel worker who befriends the protagonist, played by Jason Segel.
Wily’s real rise to fame came in 2010 with his role in ‘Hawaii 5.0’. Playing Kamekona Tupuola, an ex-criminal turned police informant, Wily endeared himself to audiences for more than 160 episodes. In an interview with The New York Post in 2018, Wily reflected on his career: “There was a different feeling when you walked into that octagon. I was afraid. I’m not going to lie, I was scared. Now, looking back on it, I am grateful to God that I had the opportunity to take the risk.”
