“Hawaii Five-0” star Taylor Wily dead at 56 — rest in peace
Taylor Wily, the Hawaiian-born former sumo wrestler and actor known for his roles in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Hawaii Five-0, and Magnum, P.I., has died at 56. The cause of death has not been disclosed, and the news was first reported by a family friend and confirmed by Hawaii Five-0 producer Peter M. Lenkov, who expressed his devastation on social media.
Born Teila Tuli on June 14, 1968, in Honolulu, Wily began his sumo career in 1987 under the name Takamikuni. Weighing 440 pounds, he was notable for being one of the largest and few foreign-born successful sumo wrestlers, winning two consecutive championships before retiring due to knee issues in 1989.
Wily then transitioned to mixed martial arts, competing in the inaugural UFC event in 1993, where he became the first person to lose a UFC fight, though he made history in the process.
In Hollywood, Wily gained fame as Kemo in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and later as Kamekona Tupuola in the reboot of Hawaii Five-0, where he became a beloved character over 171 episodes. He also appeared in MacGyver and Magnum, P.I., and made a cameo in The Amazing Race.
After his passing, Wily’s sister shared a heartfelt video celebrating his life, highlighting the importance of family, food, music, and good vibes. He is survived by his wife, Halona, and their two children.