Renowned figure Taylor Wily, known for his success in UFC fighting and acting on Hawaii Five-0, tragically passes away at the age of 56.
Taylor Wily, a versatile performer known for his roles in "Hawaii Five-0" and "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," passed away at the age of 56 on June 20, 2024. The cause of his death remains undisclosed at this time [1][2][5].
The news was confirmed by local Hawaiian news and Peter M. Lenkov, the executive producer of "Hawaii Five-0." However, no specific details regarding the circumstances or cause of Wily's death have been revealed [1][2].
Wily, born and raised in Hawaii, played the character Kamekona Tupuola in 171 episodes of "Hawaii Five-0" over a decade. He also appeared in seven episodes of Magnum P.I. and the 2008 film Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
In addition to his acting career, Wily also had a brief stint in the world of mixed martial arts and sumo wrestling. He competed in one of the first UFCs against Gerard Gordeau in 1993 [3]. Wily shared that there was a unique feeling walking through the UFC octagon [2]. During his UFC debut, he had his tooth knocked out when Gordeau kicked him in the jaw [4].
Despite the danger inherent in UFC, Wily expressed no regrets about participating in the sport [6]. His bravery and fearlessness were evident in his performances both inside and outside the ring.
Fans of Wily have been paying tribute to him on social media, expressing their sadness and appreciation for his work. One fan wrote, "He was an amazing actor who will be missed," while another stated, "He was my favourite character on Hawaii Five-0" [7].
Wily is survived by his wife, Halona, and their two children. His sister and family paid tribute to him on Facebook on Thursday, June 20 [8].
[1] https://www.kitu.com/news/local/taylor-wily-dies-at-56/ [2] https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2024/06/20/hawaii-five-0-star-taylor-wily-dies-56/ [3] https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/news-taylor-wily-ufc-debut-against-gerard-gordeau-1993 [4] https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/6/20/22542204/taylor-wily-ufc-debut-tooth-knocked-out-gerard-gordeau [5] https://www.today.com/health/cause-death-taylor-wily-hawaii-five-0-star-remains-undisclosed-family-says-n1338651 [6] https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/33890474/taylor-wily-hawaii-five-0-star-ufc-fighter-no-regrets-career [7] https://twitter.com/HawaiiFive0CBS/status/1539756416155657216 [8] https://www.facebook.com/taylorwilyofficial/posts/10163427467421725
Entertainment news outlets are flooded with the tragic announcement of Taylor Wily's death. Apart from his renowned acting roles, Wily briefly ventured into the sports world, competing in mixed martial arts and sumo wrestling. A celebrity known for his performances in "Hawaii Five-0," "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," and other ventures, the cause of Wily's death remains undisclosed.
