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‘Hawaii Five-0’ Fan Favorite And Former UFC Fighter Taylor Wily Dies At 56

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Los Angeles — Taylor Wily, a former sumo wrestler best known for his role as confidential informant Kamekona Tupuola on “Hawaii Five-0” and “Magnum P.I,” died on Friday, according to a friend and a “Hawaii Five-0” producer. He was 56.

“Hawaii Five-0” executive producer Peter M. Lenkov announced his death to The Associated Press and posted numerous condolences to the actor on Instagram, adding, “I am devastated. “Heartbroken” was the caption for a photo of the two.

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Wily

‘Hawaii Five-0’ Fan Favorite And Former UFC Fighter Taylor Wily Dies At 56

KITV 4 in Honolulu was the first to report Taylor’s death on Thursday. Additional data concerning the cause are unknown. Lina Girl Langi, a TV and radio personality, said on the show “Island Life Live” that she broke the news “with a heavy heart,” because Wily was a friend.

Taylor’s longtime friend and partner, Lenkov, uploaded a second post later on Thursday with a video montage of images and clips with him. He commented, “You charmed me into making you a regular on the show and my life.” You were a family member. I’ll miss you every day, brother.”

In an extra statement to the AP, Lenkov said it was difficult to characterize Wily’s “special” qualities and praised the actor’s abilities.

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Wily AP News image

‘Hawaii Five-0’ Fan Favorite And Former UFC Fighter Taylor Wily Dies At 56

“Even though a lot of his ‘Hawaii Five-0’ and ‘Magnum’ scenes featured his comedy skills, he was also an incredible dramatic actor,” Lenvok pointed out. “I wrote a script for him a few years ago and hoped to cast him in my next production. I wanted to keep him near, both as a friend and as an artist. I’m devastated that I won’t get the opportunity.

Taylor played Kamekona on “Hawaii Five-0” from 2010 to 2020 and became a fan favorite. He reprised his role in the reboot of “Magnum P.I.” and had a noteworthy performance as a hotel worker in the 2008 comedy “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.”

‘Hawaii Five-0’ Fan Favorite And Former UFC Fighter Taylor Wily Dies At 56

Before becoming an actor, Taylor, born Teila Tuli, was a well-known sumo wrestler and UFC 1 competitor. In 1993, he became the first knockout victim in UFC history after opponent Gerard Gordeau’s kick knocked a tooth out of Wily’s mouth, ending the bout in 26 seconds.

Wily is survived by his wife, Halona, and two children.

SOURCE – (AP)

Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics, Kiara delivers insightful analyses that resonate with tech enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Her articles strike a balance between in-depth coverage and accessibility, making them a go-to resource for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest innovations shaping our digital world.

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Peaky Blinders Star Sophie Rundle Welcomes Second Child with Husband Matt Stokoe

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Peaky Blinders Star Sophie Rundle Welcomes Second Child with Husband Matt Stokoe

Sophie Rundle, star of Peaky Blinders, recently gave birth to her second kid and shared some gorgeous first photos.

On Sunday, June 30, the actress announced the birth of their baby boy via Instagram.

Claiming to be “delirious,” the British star uploaded a carousel of photographs with the comment, “He’s here. I am totally prepared and expect to go off the hormonal cliff at any minute, but for the time being, I am riding this glorious wave of perfect love.”

The actress, who is well-known for her role as Ada Shelby in the iconic British series, continued in the caption: “I only want to stay in this bed, tending to my exhausted, happy bones, sniffing his delicious head, and proudly announcing that he is wearing an archival look from the 2021 collection every time I put him in one of his brother’s old baby grows. (I am possibly a little delirious at this point.) Oh my goodness, the love.

In addition, she offered gratitude for @stroudmaternity with an honorary mention: “Special thanks to the incredible team at @stroudmaternity for bringing him here so safely and happily and for looking after us so expertly, we are so grateful.”

Sophie Rundle’s husband, Matt Stokoe

The two’s parents are well-known for their outstanding roles in several TV series, including Sophie Rundle in Peaky Blinders, Happy Valley, and Gentleman Jack and Matt in Bodyguard, Black Mirror, and Last Tango In Halifax.

The couple met while co-starring in ITV’s historical drama series Jamestown. They have stated that they ‘fell in love’ on set.

When working with her husband, Sophie Rundle once stated, “What I will say is that we genuinely enjoy working with each other and are comparable in our working styles. We both believe you should do your research quietly, show up, do your task, go home, and get on with it.”

While they choose to keep their relationship quiet, both wear wedding bands. They welcomed their first child, Henry, in 2021. Sophie Rundle routinely posts photos of the now-toddler on Instagram but (often ingeniously) hides his face.

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Martin Mull, Iconic Actor and Comedian, Passes Away at 78

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Martin Mull, Iconic Actor and Comedian, Passes Away at 78

Martin Mull, whose biting, esoteric comedy and acting made him a cool hit in the 1970s and subsequently a cherished guest star on sitcoms such as “Roseanne” and “Arrested Development,” died Friday, his daughter announced.

Martin Mull’s daughter, TV writer and comic artist Maggie Mull, reported that her father died at home on Thursday after “a valiant fight against a long illness.”

Martin Mull, who was also a guitarist and painter, rose to national prominence with a regular part on the Norman Lear-created comedic soap opera Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, and the lead in its spinoff, Fernwood Tonight.

“He was known for excelling at every creative discipline imaginable and also for doing Red Roof Inn commercials,” Maggie Mull wrote on Instagram. “He’d find that joke amusing. He was always funny. My father will be greatly missed by his wife and daughter, his friends and coworkers, fellow artists, comedians, and musicians, and—as befits a truly extraordinary person—many, many pets.”

Martin Mull, known for his blonde hair and neatly maintained mustache, was born in Chicago, raised in Ohio and Connecticut, and studied art in Rhode Island and Rome.

His first effort into the entertainment industry was as a songwriter, writing the 1970 semi-hit “A Girl Named Johnny Cash” for vocalist Jane Morgan.

He would combine music and comedy in an act he introduced to hip Hollywood bars in the 1970s.

“In 1976, I was a guitar player and sit-down comic appearing at the Roxy on the Sunset Strip when Norman Lear walked in and heard me,” Mull told The Associated Press in 1980. “He cast me as the wife beater in ‘Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.'” Four months later, I got my show.”

His time on the Strip was immortalized in the 1973 country rock classic “Lonesome L.A. Cowboy,” in which the Riders of the Purple Sage, together with music legends Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge, pay tribute to him.

“I know Kris, Rita, and Marty Mull are hangin’ at the Troubadour,” the tune says.

On “Fernwood Tonight” (also known as “Fernwood 2 Night”), he portrayed Barth Gimble, the host of a local talk show in a midwestern town and the twin of his “Mary Hartman” character. Fred Willard, a frequent collaborator with similar comedic instincts, played his sidekick. It was eventually renamed “America 2 Night” and set in Southern California.

As Johnny Carson’s replacement on “The Tonight Show,” he’d become a true talk show host.

Mull frequently played slightly sleazy, slimy, and smarmy characters, such as Teri Garr’s boss and Michael Keaton’s antagonist in 1983’s Mr. Mom. He also played Colonel Mustard in the 1985 film adaptation of the board game Clue, which has become a cult classic, as have many of Mull’s other roles.

The 1980s also saw the release of “A History of White People in America,” a mockumentary that premiered on Cinemax and was widely regarded as his best work. Mull co-created the show and appeared as a “60 Minutes”-style investigative reporter looking into everything boring. Willard appeared again as a co-star.

He authored and starred in “Rented Lips” (1988), directed by his father, Robert Downey Jr.

Martin Mull’s co-star Jennifer Tilly said in an X post-Friday that he was “such a witty charismatic and kind person.”

In the 1990s, he was most known for his recurrent role on numerous seasons of “Roseanne,” in which he played a friendlier, less shady boss to the main character, an openly homosexual man whose partner was played by Willard, who passed away in 2020.

Martin Mull would later play private eye Gene Parmesan on “Arrested Development,” a cult-classic character on a cult-classic comedy, and received his first Emmy nomination in 2016 for a cameo appearance on “Veep.”

“What I did on ‘Veep’ I’m very proud of, but I’d like to think it’s probably more collective, at my age it’s more collective,” Martin Mull told the Associated Press upon his nomination. “It might go all the way back to ‘Fernwood.'”

Other comedians and actresses were frequently his biggest supporters.

“Martin was the greatest,” “Bridesmaids” director Paul Feig stated on X. “He’s very humorous, talented, and a good man. I was fortunate enough to appear with him on The Jackie Thomas Show and loved every moment spent with a legend. Fernwood Tonight was incredibly crucial in my life.”

Martin Mull is survived by his daughter and singer Wendy Haas, who has been his wife since 1982.

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Willie Nelson Cancels Recent Performances Due To Illness

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Willie Nelson | EW Image

Willie Nelson is set to resume his tour soon after canceling several shows due to “doctor’s orders.”

Nelson, who turned 91 in April, could not return to the stage on Wednesday night.

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Willie Nelson | CNN Image

Willie Nelson Cancels Recent Performances Due To Illness

“Willie Nelson will not be performing at tonight’s show in Virginia Beach,” a posting on Nelson’s social media pages stated. “We expect Willie to return to the tour shortly.”

Nelson postponed his Outlaw Music Festival Tour dates last week due to sickness. His management said in a statement, “We regret to inform you that Willie Nelson is not feeling well and has been advised by doctors to rest for the next four days.” He is expected to recuperate quickly and rejoin the tour next week.

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Willie Nelson | Country Living Image

Willie Nelson Cancels Recent Performances Due To Illness

Bob Dylan, Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, and Nelson’s son, Lukas Nelson, together with his band, all performed as planned.

Nelson’s next tour stop is in New York on Friday and Saturday.

Nelson released “The Border” in May and was featured on Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” album.

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Willie Nelson | ABC News Image

Willie Nelson Cancels Recent Performances Due To Illness

He was honored in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year and has played alongside Sheryl Crow, Chris Stapleton, and Dave Matthews.

SOURCE – (CNN)

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