We are saddened to share the news of the passing of actor Taylor Wily, best known for his roles in ‘Hawaii Five-0’ and ‘Magnum P.I.’ He was 56 years old.
Taylor Wily, born in Honolulu, Hawaii, had a remarkable journey in life. Before pursuing acting, he was a sumo wrestler and MMA fighter. His talents and charm made him a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.
Hawaiian celebrity and musician Lina Girl Langi, a close friend of Wily and his family, announced his death on her lifestyle show, Island Life Live. She described Wily as one of the “kindest” and “gentlest souls” she had ever known.
Despite Taylor Wily’s impressive physique, Langi shared that he had a heart of gold. He would give warm hugs that instantly melted away any fear his appearance may have caused. Langi expressed her deep sorrow at the loss of her dear friend.
Wily’s career began with appearances as background characters on shows like ‘Magnum P.I.,’ ‘North Shore,’ and ‘One West’ in the 1980s to early 2000s. Later, he appeared in movies such as ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ and ‘Radical.’
However, his breakthrough came when he landed the recurring role of Kamekona on ‘Hawaii Five-0,’ appearing in a total of 171 episodes. He also reprised the role in the ‘Magnum P.I.’ reboot.
Apart from his successful acting career, Wily was known for his acts of kindness. Former Hawaii news reporter Angela Keen shared that he frequently visited patients at Shriners Children’s Hawaii Hospital, always making himself accessible and personable.
The loss of Taylor Wily is deeply felt by his friends, fans, and colleagues in the entertainment industry. Executive producer Peter Lenkov, who worked with Wily on both ‘Hawaii Five-0’ and ‘Magnum P.I.,’ expressed his devastation and paid tribute to the late actor on Instagram.
Dennis Chun, who co-starred with Wily on the ‘Hawaii Five-0’ reboot, shared a heartfelt message and photo, describing Wily as a “gentle giant” and expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to work with and call him a friend.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Taylor Wily’s wife, Halona Wily, and the rest of his family during this difficult time. Taylor will always be remembered for his talent, kindness, and the joy he brought to our screens. May he rest in peace. Aloha, Taylor, until we meet again.
