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Hawaii Five-0 star Taylor Wily has died at the age of 56, musician LinaGirl Langi, who was close friends of the actor and his love ones, announced on her KITV show Island Life Live.
“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 the broadcast Thursday (June 20).
Wily, whose real name was Teila Tuli, was a champion sumo wrestler, professional wrestler for New Japan Pro Wrestling and former MMA fighter, appearing in one UFC fight for loss, before transitioning to acting full-time.
“Taylor Wily, former wrestler, MMA fighter and actor passed away today in Hurricane, Utah," Langi said. “He would look physically menacing until you just folded right into a hug, and that was it. My heart is breaking.”
Island Life Live co-host Davey D described Wily as one of the "kindest" and "gentlest souls" during the broadcast. The actor's cause of death was not revealed as of Friday (June 21).
Wily was credited for several acting roles before appearing as Kemo in the comedy film Forgetting Sarah Marshall in 2008. The Hawaiian actor played Kamekona in Hawaii Five-0, the 2010 reboot version of the iconic series Hawaii Five-O, for 171 episodes and 10 seasons, a role he reprised for seven episodes on the Magnum P.I. reboot.