Taylor Wily Biography: Wife, Age, Children, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Movies & TV Shows, Death
Taylor Tuli Wily, known professionally as Taylor Wily, was an American actor, former sumo wrestler, and mixed martial artist best known for his beloved role as Kamekona Tupuola in Hawaii Five-0 (2010–2020).
His larger-than-life presence and warm charisma made him a fan favorite across 171 episodes of the CBS series, with additional appearances in Magnum P.I. and other shows.
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Wily’s unique journey from competing as a pioneering sumo wrestler in Japan to fighting in the inaugural UFC event and later thriving as an actor showcased his versatility and enduring appeal in both sports and entertainment.
Profile
- Full Name: Taylor Tuli Wily
- Stage Name: Taylor Wily
- Born: June 14, 1968
- Died: 20 June, 2024
- Age: 57 years old
- Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Actor, Former Sumo Wrestler, Mixed Martial Artist
- Height: 1.88m
- Parents: Mr. Wily and Mrs. Wily
- Siblings: Unknown
- Spouse: Halona Siona Siufanua
- Children: Tulalagalaga Tatalo Wily, YoungAsia Wily
- Relationship: Married
- Net Worth: $1 million
Early Life and Education
Taylor Tuli Wily was born on June 14, 1968, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to parents referred to as Mr. Wily and Mrs. Wily, whose names are not publicly known.
He might have had siblings but details about them are unknown.
Wily grew up in Hawaii, attending a local high school where he earned the nickname “Big T” for his large stature and played football.
His athletic build and determination led him to pursue sumo wrestling in Japan, though details of his formal education remain undisclosed.
He is of Samoan heritage, and he did not publicly discuss religious beliefs.
Career
Taylor Wily began his professional career in 1987 as a sumo wrestler in Japan, joining the prestigious Azumazeki stable under the ring name Takamishū Daikichi.
He made history as the first non-Japanese-born wrestler to win a championship in the makushita division, achieving a peak rank of makushita 2 with an impressive start of 14 consecutive wins.
Knee injuries forced his retirement from sumo in 1989, ending a promising athletic career that had already broken barriers for foreign competitors in the sport.
After returning to the U.S., Wily transitioned to mixed martial arts, competing as Teila Tuli in the inaugural UFC 1 event in 1993.
His fight against Gerard Gordeau, though a quick loss, marked a historic moment in MMA as part of the sport’s first televised event.
Undeterred, Wily explored acting, landing small roles in Hawaii-based productions like One West Waikiki (1994) and North Shore (2004).
His breakthrough came with a supporting role as Kemo in the comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008), which showcased his natural charisma.
Wily’s defining role was Kamekona Tupuola in Hawaii Five-0 (2010–2020), where he portrayed a lovable entrepreneur and informant across 171 episodes.
He reprised the character in Magnum P.I. (2018–2020) and appeared in MacGyver, cementing his status as a staple in Hawaii-based television.
His warm, authentic performances resonated with audiences, and his legacy endures through his contributions to entertainment and his trailblazing efforts in sumo and MMA.
Social Media
- Instagram Handle: Unknown
- X Handle: Unknown
- YouTube Handle: Unknown
Personal Life
Taylor Wily married Halona Siona Siufanua, and they had two children: a daughter, Tulalagalaga Tatalo Wily, and a son, YoungAsia Wily.
Based in Hawaii, Wily was known as a “gentle giant” with a warm, generous personality that endeared him to colleagues and fans.
Tragically, Taylor Wily died on June 20, 2024, at the age of 56.
A wrongful death lawsuit filed by his family alleges that his death was caused by a head injury sustained in a wheelchair lift accident on October 3, 2023.
Filmography
- One West Waikiki (1994)
- North Shore (2004)
- Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
- Hawaii Five-0 (2010–2020)
- Magnum P.I. (2018–2020)
- MacGyver (2018)
Net Worth
Taylor Wily had an estimated net worth of $1 million at the time of his death.
His income derived from his acting career, particularly his long-running role in Hawaii Five-0, as well as earlier earnings from sumo wrestling and his brief MMA career.
Additional revenue from guest appearances and residuals from syndicated shows contributed to his financial standing.
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