Kellye Nakahara
Kellye Nakahara (January 16, 1947[1] or 1948[2] – February 16, 2020) was an American actress, best known for playing Nurse Kealani Kellye in 167 episodes of the television comedy M*A*S*H.
Kellye Nakahara | |
---|---|
Born | January 16, 1948 Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. | January 16, 1947 or
Died | February 16, 2020 72–73) Pasadena, California, U.S. | (aged
Other names | Kellye Wallett |
Occupation | Actress, watercolor artist |
Spouse(s) | David Wallett ( m. 1968) |
Children | 2 |
Life and career
Nakahara was born in Honolulu.[1] Before becoming an actress, Nakahara moved to San Francisco to pursue a career in art.[3] In 1967, she married David Wallett and moved to Los Angeles where she began a career as an actress.[4] Halfway through the first season of M*A*S*H, she landed the part of Nurse Kellye in which she appeared in more than 150 episodes of the long-running series.[5] Following the series finale of M*A*S*H, Nakahara appeared in television commercials as a spokesperson for IBM. Additionally, she appeared in several other television shows, had a small part in the films Clue (1985) as Mrs. Ho, the domestic cook, and in 1995's Black Day Blue Night. She also played a labor and delivery nurse in the 1988 John Hughes film She's Having a Baby.[6]
Nakahara was also a watercolor artist, who painted and exhibited under her married name, Kellye Wallett.[7]
Nakahara died from cancer at her home in Pasadena, California, on February 16, 2020.[1][2] She is survived by her husband, two children and four grandchildren.[8]
Filmography
Film | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
1985 | Clue | The Cook | |
1987 | Amazon Women on the Moon | Theatre Customer #4 | Segment "Peter Pan Theatre" [TV cut & DVD only] |
1988 | She's Having a Baby | Hospital Nurse | |
1991 | Shattered | Lydia | |
1994 | 3 Ninjas Kick Back | Nurse Hino | |
1995 | Black Day Blue Night | Fat Mama | |
1998 | Dr. Dolittle | Beagle Woman | |
Television | |||
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
1973–83 | M*A*S*H | Lt. Nurse Kellye Yamato | Recurring role (167 episodes) |
1975 | Kolchak: The Night Stalker | Woman at Lecture | Episode: "The Trevi Collection" |
1982 | Little House on the Prairie | Japanese Woman | Episode: "Alden's Dilemma" |
1983 | At Ease | Becky Yamato | Episodes: "A Tankful of Dollars", "A PFC and a Gentleman" |
1983 | Matt Houston | Charlene | Episode: "Butterfly" |
1984 | Lottery! | Episode: "Honolulu: 3-2=1" | |
1985 | Otherworld | G.P. Desk Sergeant | Episode: "I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar" |
1985 | Hunter | Mrs. Kim | Episode: "The Beach Boy" |
1991 | Growing Pains | Reporter | Episode: "Paper Tigers" |
1991 | Memories of M*A*S*H | Herself | TV special |
1995 | Dream On | Mrs. Kim | Episode: "Flight of the Pedalbee" |
1997 | Crisis Center | Florence | Episode: "It's a Family Affair" |
1997 | NYPD Blue | Cleaning Lady | Episode: "Emission Impossible" |
1999 | Sabrina the Teenage Witch | Pele | Episode: "The Good, the Bad and the Luau" |
2000 | The Wild Thornberrys | Yak (voice) | Episode: "Happy Campers" |
References
- Carmel, Julia (February 19, 2020). "Kellye Nakahara, a Memorable Nurse on 'M*A*S*H,' Dies at 73". The New York Times. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
- "Kellye Nakahara Wallett, Actress on 'M*A*S*H,' Dies at 72". Associated Press. The Hollywood Reporter. February 17, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- Sippell, Margeaux (February 17, 2020). "'M*A*S*H' Actress Kellye Nakahara Dies After Battle With Cancer". TheWrap. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
- Nakahara Wallet, nurse Kellye of ‘M*A*S*H,’ dies at 72 rafu.com, FEBRUARY 18, 2020
- R.I.P. Kellye Nakahara, who played Nurse Kellye on 10 seasons of M*A*S*H metv.com, MeTV staff, February 17, 2020
- Henderson, Cydney (February 17, 2020). "'M*A*S*H' star Kellye Nakahara dies at 72". USA Today. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- "Kellye Wallett Studio". Facebook. February 18, 2020.
- Kellye Nakahara Wallett, Actress on 'M*A*S*H,' Dies at 72 Hollywoodreporter.com, the Associated Press, 17 February 2020