Taylor Wily — known for his roles in Hawaii Five-0 and Forgetting Sarah Marshall — has died. He was 56. Hawaii Five-0 executive producer Peter M. Lenkov confirmed the news in several Instagram posts on Thursday, June 20.
“T, as I told you over and over, I fell in love with you at the primary audition,” Peter wrote in a single caption, alongside a video montage of memories with Taylor. “You got here in with a towel in your head mopping up sweat, and I used to be smitten. You charmed me into making you a daily … on the show … and in my life. You were family. And I’ll miss you day by day, brother.”
Peter then revealed in his caption that he had just spoken to Taylor one week before his death.
“PS: once we spoke last week, we laughed at how right you were from Day 1. Five-0 was our dream job,” the producer added. “And I used to be so lucky we got to share that magic together.”
Peter followed up in a separate Instagram post by sharing a photograph of each of them. The image was seemingly taken on the set of the drama series,
“I’m devastated. Heartbroken,” Peter wrote, before adding, “I’ll post some detailed feelings later. Just too hard at once.”
Taylor appeared in 171 episodes of Hawaii Five-0 because the character Kamekona Tupuola. He reprised the role in MacGyver and Magnum P.I. Initially of his acting profession, Taylor appeared in Forgetting Sarah Marshall as hotel employee.
Before he launched into his film profession, the Hawaii native competed in sumo, UFC and MMA matches.
Taylor is survived by his wife, Halona, and their two kids.
