Taylor Wily’s family issue touching tributes to late Hawaii Five-0 star: ‘Singing for their uncle Tee’
Taylor Wily’s devastated family have posted heartbreaking tributes to the star following his death.
The Hawaii Five-0 and Magnum PI actor passed away on Thursday, days after his 56th birthday.
His heartbroken loved ones are among those honoring the late actor and former wrestler.
Wily’s sister shared a moving video of her family coming together to share their grief, including a video of his cousins singing Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds.”
‘Mourning and celebrating our favorite brother and uncle as he would wish. Family, food, music and good atmosphere,” Alyssa Wily Tonga wrote on Facebook.
Hawaii Five-0 actor and former wrestler Taylor Wily has died at the age of 56
She posted the video of the boys singing with the caption “singing for their uncle Tee.”
His niece Latoya Levaiosina also took to social media to express her condolences to his wife Halona and their two children.
“It still feels like a bad dream Unko Big Tee, we love you always,” she wrote. ‘I’m going to miss hearing you and Dad Ais talk almost every night. So many good and funny memories.’
Wily’s cause of death has not yet been made public.
The Hawaiian-born actor was a beloved TV and film actor whose other credits included MacGyver, North Shore and Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
Former colleagues also paid their respects in messages praising the ‘gentle giant’ for his warm character and professionalism.
Wily is survived by his wife Halona and their two children, with several members offering their condolences while paying their respects
Family and friends, including former co-star Dennis Chun, paid tribute to the ‘giant of a man’ in touching social media posts
Peter Lenkov, who cast Wily as Kamekona Tupuola in Hawaii Five-0, shared his fond memories and revealed that the two spoke just last week.
“As I’ve told you many times, I fell in love with you at the first audition,” he wrote.
“You came in with a towel on your head to mop up the sweat, and I was hooked. You charmed me by making you a regular… on the show… and in my life.
‘You were family. And I will miss you every day, brother.
‘PS: When we spoke last week, we laughed about how right you were from day 1. Five-0 was our dream job. And I was so lucky that we got to share that magic together.”
Former co-star Dennis Chun posted a throwback photo of the two on set.
Wily was best known for his role as Kamekona Tupuola in the crime dramas Hawaii Five-0 and Magnum PI
Peter N Lenkov, who cast Wily as Kamekona Tupuola in Hawaii Five-0, shared his fond memories
Wily’s sister said the family gathered to reflect on the lives of their beloved uncle and brother
“Laura and I are heartbroken to hear of Taylor Wily’s passing,” he wrote on Instagram. Not only was he a great talent, but he was also a giant of man.
“His aloha and heart always made it so much fun to share a scene with him. It was an honor to not only work with him, but also to call him a friend.
“Rest well Taylor. Hawaii and I are crying tonight. Aloha Taylor until we meet again.”
Wily transitioned to acting after a stint as a UFC fighter, debuting in the 1993 TV special, UFC 1: The Beginning.
He lost three teeth and the fight against Dutch kickboxer and MMA pro Gerard Gordeau and quit the sport shortly afterwards.
Before that, he was a sumo wrestler who went undefeated in his first 14 fights. Weighing almost 200 kg, he was among the heaviest in the sport.