Taylor Wily, Beloved 'Hawaii Five-0' Actor, Dies at 56

RIP Taylor Willy - (birth name Teila Tuli) | 1968-2024 | The Prime Headline.

Taylor Wily, best known for his role as Kamekona on Hawaii Five-0, passed away on June 21, 2024 at the age of 56.
The cause of Wily’s death has not been publicly disclosed.
Wily’s sister, Alyssa, shared a video of the family gathering to mourn and celebrate his life
Wily was a beloved figure in the Hawaiian entertainment community, with a career spanning acting, sumo wrestling, and mixed martial arts.
His death has been mourned by fans, friends, and colleagues who remember him as a kind, gentle soul and talented performer.

Early Life and Sumo Wrestling Career

Taylor Wily, born Teila Tuli on June 14, 1968, in Honolulu, Hawaii, was of American Samoan descent
In 1987, Wily was recruited by former sumo wrestler Takamiyama Daigorō and joined Azumazeki stable under the name Takamikuni
Wily was unbeaten in his first 14 official sumo bouts, winning two consecutive tournament championships
In March 1988, Wily became the first foreign-born wrestler to win the championship in the third-highest makushita division
Wily mentored future yokozuna Akebono Tarō, who joined Azumazeki stable in the same month
In March 1989, Wily reached his highest rank of makushita 2 but retired from sumo in July 1989 due to knee problems
Finished sumo career with a record of 25 wins and 16 losses.

Mixed Martial Arts and UFC

UFC 1 Fighting - Late Taylor Wily | The Prime Headline. — UFC 1 Fighting – Late Taylor Wily | The Prime Headline.

After leaving sumo, Wily briefly trained with New Japan Pro Wrestling in 1990, competing under his birth name Teila Tuli.
Wily competed in the first televised Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event in 1993.
In UFC 1, Wily fought Gerard Gordeau and became the first fighter to lose a UFC bout, being knocked out in under 30 seconds.
Wily’s fight showcased the brutality of early MMA, as he lost three teeth from Gordeau’s kick, setting a startling precedent for the sport.
Never competed in MMA again after his lone UFC appearance.

Acting Career Beginnings

Began pursuing acting in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Though Wily began his acting career with small roles in TV shows like ‘Magnum, P.I.’ (1982), ‘One West Waikiki,’ and ‘North Shore’.
Landed minor roles in films like Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles (2001) and Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008).
Also had small parts on TV shows filmed in Hawaii like Baywatch Hawaii, North Shore, and Lost.

Breakout Role on Hawaii Five-0

Big break came in 2010 when cast as Kamekona, a former sumo wrestler turned entrepreneur and confidential informant, on the Hawaii Five-0 reboot series.
Appeared in 171 episodes across all 10 seasons of the show from 2010-2020.
Kamekona became a fan-favorite supporting character known for his humor, Hawaiian shirts, and love of shrimp.
Also made guest appearances as Kamekona on other CBS reboots like MacGyver and Magnum P.I.

Other Acting Roles

In 2008, Wily gained recognition for his role as Kemo in the comedy film ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall,’ starring alongside Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, and Mila Kunis.
Had a supporting role in the 2011 MMA drama Warrior starring Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton.
Appeared in the 2018 adventure comedy Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle with Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart.
Guest starred on shows like Reno 911!, Inhumans, and Hawaii P.D.
Wily made a cameo appearance on ‘The Amazing Race’ season 20, handing out clues to contestants

Personal Life

Married to wife Halona Wily.
Father of two children.
Resided in Hawaii on Oahu.
Known for his big heart, infectious laugh, and love of Hawaiian culture and cuisine.
Frequently visited and entertained kids at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Honolulu.

Remembrances from Colleagues and Friends

Hawaii Five-0 executive producer Peter Lenkov shared a tribute on Instagram: “I am devastated. Heartbroken. I’ll post some detailed feelings later. Just too hard right now.”
Lenkov in a follow-up post: “T, as I told you many times, I fell in love with you at the first audition. 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.”
Hawaii Five-0 co-star Meaghan Rath: “My heart is so broken. Taylor Wily was one of the most special souls I’ve ever known. Kind, hilarious, warm, and so loved by so many. I’ll miss you terribly, my friend.”
Magnum P.I. star Zachary Knighton: “Nicest guy ever RIP.”
Jumanji co-star Kevin Hart: “Wow. This is heartbreaking. Sending so much love and light to Taylor’s family and friends. Thank you for your kindness always.”

Outpouring of Fan Tributes

Fans of Wily’s work shared memories and condolences on social media.
Many posted favorite Kamekona scenes and quotes from Hawaii Five-0.
Others recalled meeting Wily in Hawaii and remarked on his warmth and generosity.
Petition started by fans to dedicate a bench on Waikiki Beach in Wily’s honor.

Legacy and Impact

Wily helped bring authentic Hawaiian representation to mainstream TV through his Hawaii Five-0 role.
Broke stereotypes by playing a nuanced Polynesian character known for both humor and heart.
Served as an inspiration to aspiring actors and athletes from Hawaii and the Pacific Islands.
Will be remembered as a pioneering Samoan performer who found success in sumo, MMA, and Hollywood.

Conclusion

Taylor Wily leaves behind a legacy as a trailblazing Polynesian athlete and actor.
His most iconic role as Kamekona on Hawaii Five-0 touched millions of viewers around the world.
Though he is gone too soon, Wily’s memory will live on through his family, friends, colleagues, and the fans who adored him.
As Wily’s Hawaii Five-0 character would say: “Aloha, bruddah. A hui hou.” Until we meet again.

Rest in peace, Taylor Wily.

FAQs:

Who was Taylor Wily?

Taylor Wily, born Teila Tuli, was an American Samoan actor, sumo wrestler, and mixed martial artist best known for his role as Kamekona on the CBS series Hawaii Five-0.

How old was Taylor Wily when he died?

Wily passed away on June 21, 2024 at the age of 56.

What was the cause of Taylor Wily’s death?

The cause of Wily’s death has not been publicly disclosed.

What was Taylor Wily’s early career before acting?

Before acting, Wily had careers in sumo wrestling and mixed martial arts. He was unbeaten in his first 14 official sumo bouts and became the first foreign-born wrestler to win the makushita division championship in 1988. Wily also competed in UFC 1 in 1993.

What was Taylor Wily’s breakout acting role?

Wily’s breakout role was as Kamekona, a former sumo wrestler turned entrepreneur and confidential informant, on the Hawaii Five-0 reboot series. He appeared in 171 episodes across all 10 seasons from 2010-2020.

What other notable acting roles did Taylor Wily have?

Some of Wily’s other notable roles included Kemo in Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008), a supporting part in Warrior (2011), and a role in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2018). He also guest starred on shows like Reno 911! Inhumans, and MacGyver.

How have colleagues and friends remembered Taylor Wily?

Wily’s Hawaii Five-0 colleagues like executive producer Peter Lenkov and co-star Meaghan Rath shared heartfelt tributes remembering him as a kind, hilarious, and beloved member of their ohana (family). Other actors like Kevin Hart also expressed condolences.

What is Taylor Wily’s legacy and impact?

Wily helped bring authentic Hawaiian representation to mainstream TV through his nuanced portrayal of Kamekona on Hawaii Five-0. He broke stereotypes and served as an inspiration to aspiring Polynesian performers. Wily will be remembered as a pioneering Samoan talent who found success in athletics and entertainment.