Taylor Wily was a Hawaiian actor, sumo wrestler, and mixed martial artist who found an unconventional career spanning fitness and entertainment. The actor, born Teila Tuli, became best known around the world as Kamekona Tupuola in Hawaii Five-0, a character who was a ubiquitous presence on TV. Already in the history books for sumo and being a competitor on the first UFC card before jumping into action, Wily was there to serve a purpose.
Taylor Wily Biography Table
| Particular | Details |
| Full Name | Taylor Tuli Wily |
| Birth Name | Teila Tuli |
| Date of Birth | June 14, 1968 |
| Birthplace | Honolulu, Hawaii, USA |
| Profession | Actor, Sumo Wrestler, MMA Fighter |
| Height | 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) |
| Famous Role | Kamekona Tupuola |
| Best Known For | Hawaii Five-0 |
| Spouse | Halona Siona Siufanua |
| Children | Two |
| Date of Death | June 20, 2024 |
| Age at Death | 56 years |
| Place of Death | Hurricane, Utah, USA |
Sources including IMDb and the Television Academy list his birth date, birthplace, height, career, and 2024 passing.
Taylor Wily Age
Born September 19, Packages, Hawaii, Taylor Wily (The Original and Only KALOU) Jun 14, 1968. He passed away on 20 June 2024, aged 56. The Hawaiian media first reported his death, which was later confirmed by representatives and the entertainment community. His manager later stated that he had died of natural causes.
Taylor Wily Physical Statistics And More
He was given the name Taylor Wily; he has an intimidating physique reminiscent of his sumo wrestling background. IMDb tells us that he is 6 feet 2 inches, or around 1.88 meters tall. His imposing physique was one of his standout features on screen, and an essential part of his sporting success.
| Feature | Details |
| Height | 6’2″ / 1.88 m |
| Build | Large / Heavy |
| Hair | Black |
| Eyes | Brown |
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Honolulu, Hawaii |
Early Life and Education
He was born in Honolulu, where he grew up in the state of Hawaii. He played American football at the school and earned a reputation as a big, athletic kid [age only known before joining EFL]. He first went to Kahuku High School and then transferred to Farrington High School, where he played football. Inevitably, this early sporting history directed him toward the road that would lead to professional sumo wrestling.
Taylor Wily Sumo Wrestling Career
Wily was a sumo wrestler in Japan before becoming an actor. He was brought into the top division in 1987, joining the Azumazeki stable run by former sekiwake Takamiyama Daigorō. Fighting in Japan under a sumo alias, he made an impact almost immediately based on his size and ability.
Wily climbed to Makushita 2, the highest position of his career, before health woes forced him to leave professional sumo in July 1989 due to knee issues. He later returned to amateur sumo and then competed for the United States at the 1995 World Sumo Championship.
Taylor Wily and UFC Career
Wily had carved his name in the annals of early mixed martial arts history as well. Fighting as Teila Tuli, he took on Gerard Gordeau at UFC 1 in 1993. This was the first-ever televised fight in UFC history, and it cemented itself as a legendary moment right back then.
Only 26 seconds into it, Gordeau quickly ended the fight via knockout with a head kick. He did not compete professionally in MMA again, finishing with a single-loss record. Although his tenure was short, he crafted an exclusive chapter in UFC lore.
Taylor Wily Acting Career
Wily went into entertainment after his sports career. He starred in a handful of TV productions, finally landing one of his most recognizable film appearances in the 2008 romantic comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall. He played Kemo, an employee at the hotel that the film’s protagonists go to.
His TV credits ranged from North Shore to Marker and One West Waikiki. Nevertheless, his major break came when he became a part of the cast of Hawaii Five-0.
Taylor Wily in Hawaii Five-0
Of course, the following year Taylor Wily was instantly recognizable as Kamekona Tupuola in the reboot of Hawaii Five-0. Kamekona was a recurring character, portrayed as a bootlegger and confidential informant with ties to the show.
Over the course of 171 episodes, Wily became a recurring character and then a regular member of the cast. The character went on to become one of the show’s most recognizable supporting figures, possessing an amalgam of humor, small-town knowledge, and connections in the criminal underbelly.
Taylor Wily Movies and TV Shows
| Year | Movie/TV Show | Role |
| 1995 | Marker | Primo Warrior #1 |
| 1996 | One West Waikiki | Joseph Kalama |
| 2004 | North Shore | Guest Role |
| 2008 | Forgetting Sarah Marshall | Kemo |
| 2010–2020 | Hawaii Five-0 | Kamekona Tupuola |
| 2012 | The Amazing Race | Guest Appearance |
| 2016 | MacGyver | Kamekona |
| 2018–2020 | Magnum P.I. | Kamekona |
| 2023 | Radical | Film Role |
He has been credited with more than 170 Hawaii Five-0 episodes, according to the Television Academy, and has guest-starred on shows including Magnum P.I., MacGyver, North Shore and Marker, One West Waikiki, Radical and Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
Taylor Wily Family
Taylor Wily was married to Halona Siona Siufanua and fathered two kids with his wife. His family survived him following his death in 2024. Family life details have usually been reported in public, keeping them private.
Taylor Wily Net Worth
Neither the estate nor any reliable financial disclosure has confirmed Taylor Wily’s exact net worth. But websites estimating your wealth have assigned it to other endpoints. According to one estimate, his worth in 2026 would be around $5.29 million; but another source rendered the value at $1 million (around the time of her death). Do note, however, that these figures are not confirmed financial facts but rather estimations.
Also Read: Joe Keery Net Worth
Taylor Wily Death
Taylor Wily (Dec 26, 1967 – June 20, 2024) age at death :56 Dying in June 2006, his death took place at Hurricane, Utah. The news was first shared publicly by Hawaiian television personality Lina Girl Langi, before the firestorm of confirmation came from his representatives and colleagues. His manager told the Los Angeles Times that the death was due to natural causes.
His colleagues, friends, and fans, especially those involved with Hawaii Five-0, paid tribute after his death. Wily was also recognized by UFC as Teila Tuli, a fighter who has secured a place in the early history of the organization.
Taylor Wily Awards and Achievements
While Wily did not receive major acting award nominations, his career included several significant accomplishments, including:
- Achieved the rank of Makushita 2 as a professional sumo wrestler.
- Professional Sumo wrestler in Japan
- They were in the World Sumo Championship, and they represented the USA.
- Experienced a fight in the inaugural United Fight Challenge as Teila Tuli.
- Kamekona Tupuola in 171 episodes of Hawaii Five-0.
- Kamekona (MacGyver, Magnum P.I. reprised role)
- Shot to fame for his part in Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Interesting Facts About Taylor Wily
- Taylor Wily’s real name is Teila Tuli.
- He was a professional Japanese sumo wrestler before acting.
- He was a makushita division wrestler in sumo.
- He fought at UFC 1 as Teila Tuli.
- He is known for his most popular character on television, Kamekona Tupuola.
- He was in 2008’s Forgetting Sarah Marshall
- Kamekona, of course, made appearances across the shared universe of Hawaii Five-0, MacGyver, and Magnum P.I.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who was Taylor Wily?
Taylor Wily was an American actor, former sumo wrestler, and MMA fighter best known for playing Kamekona Tupuola on Hawaii Five-0.
2. What was Taylor Wily’s real name?
His birth name was Teila Tuli. He later became known professionally as Taylor Wily.
3. How old was Taylor Wily when he died?
Taylor Wily was 56 years old when he died on June 20, 2024.
4. How tall was Taylor Wily?
Taylor Wily was listed at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters) tall.
5. What was Taylor Wily famous for?
He was best known for playing Kamekona Tupuola on Hawaii Five-0. He also appeared in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and competed in sumo wrestling and the UFC.
6. Was Taylor Wily a UFC fighter?
Yes. As Teila Tuli, he competed against Gerard Gordeau at UFC 1 in 1993. It was his only professional MMA fight.
Conclusion
Taylor Wily had one of the oddball paths in entertainment, having transitioned through football and professional sumo to an early UFC competition, and finding his way into even a recognizable American television work. Kamekona made him uniquely memorable to Hawaii Five-0 fans, and his past as a boxer earned him an entirely separate niche in fight-sports lore. Wily succumbed to age 56 in 2024, but much of his contributions to sports, film, and television continue in place today.
Also Read: The US Bio
Leave a Reply