New Girl and Magnum P.I. actor Peter Navy Tuiasosopo dies aged 61
His son said the actor was a 'trailblazer for Polynesian actors in Hollywood'.
Peter Navy Tuiasosopo has died aged 61.
The actor was best known for appearing in TV shows including New Girl, Mangum P.I. and NCIS.
His death was announced by son Manoah, who shared a post on Facebook that was also signed by the actor’s wife, other children and grandchildren.
‘With a heavy heart, my family and I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. Our father Peter N. Tuiasosopo passed away this morning at 3:16am,’ the statement began.
‘My dad lived an amazing life and in no way does his impact stop here. We will continue to live with him in spirit, and as saddened as we are, he is without a doubt in Heaven with his brothers, sisters, parents, daughter, and Jesus, and no longer in pain.
‘His strength, love, compassion, and kindness will forever be felt.’
He was best known for appearing in shows including New Girl and Magnum P.I. (Picture: Frank Trapper/ Corbis via Getty Images)The post ended thanking people for their thoughts and asked for ‘continued support through this tough and emotional time’.
Although a cause of death was not mentioned, the actor’s son told TMZ Tuiasosopo had died from heart complications in Phoenix, Arizona.
He also added that his father was ‘a trailblazer for Polynesian actors in Hollywood.’
Born in San Pedro, California, Tuiasosopo had a brief stint in the NFL in the late 1980s and was signed to the Los Angeles Rams.
However his first acting credit came in 1991 in the sports comedy film Necessary Roughness in which he played Manumana, part of the fictional Texas State football team.
He then went on to appear in TV series’ Down the Shore and Danger Theatre before going on to play Kaleo on Hawaii, Koa in Young and the Restless and Big Bob in New Girl.
One of his most notable roles was in the 1994 movie adaptation of the video game Street Fighter (Picture: Moviestore/ Shutterstock)Other screen credits throughout his career included NCIS, Mob City, Ray Donovan, black-ish and Magnum P.I.
The actor also appeared in films including The Fast and the Furious, A Perfect Getaway, Batman & Robin, Charlie’s Angels, Austin Powers in Gold Member and The Scorpion King.
In 1994 he also appeared alongside Steven Seagal in the film On Deadly Ground and the same year starred in the big screen adaptation of the video game Street Fighter alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme and Kylie Minogue.
His last credit was in the 2018 crime drama Mayans M.C.
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