‘Star Trek’ star Patti Yasutake dead at 70
The actor Patti Yasutake, known for a number of acting roles, but particularly in Netflix’s comedy drama show Beef and the science fiction series Star Trek: The Next Generation, has passed away aged 70.
Yasutake died peacefully at her home on August 5th, surrounded by her loved ones. The actor had previously been diagnosed with a rare form of T-cell lymphoma.
In the Netflix show Beef, Yasutake starred alongside Ali Wong and Steven Yeun, playing the character of George’s mother, Fumi Nakai. It was a big role for the American actor, even though it came so late in her career.
When Yasutake was handed the script for Beef, she was blown away and claimed that it was like “the clouds parted and the sun came through.” She had told Netflix, “I was just elated, this many decades into my career, that a role like this would come along.”
Notably, Yasutake was gleeful with the fact that the role granted her an opportunity to play an Asian American character, which was something that she had often found difficulty with early into her career. However, after decades working in the film and television industry, Yasutake finally had found a character that duly represented her as a person and her heritage.
“There [were] really no opportunities to have a career as an Asian American actress; I didn’t do martial arts, I didn’t speak a second language,’ the actor said. “Especially back then, that’s all they saw you as.”
She begun her career in the police drama TJ Hooker before appearing in the likes of Gung Ho, Grey’s Anatomy and The Young, while her film credits included movies such as Drop Dead Gorgeous, Blind Spot and Road to Galveston.
Another huge role for Yasutake was Nurse Alyssa Ogawa in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek Generations. She had also been nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for her effort in The Wash by Michael Toshiyuki Uno.
Yasutake’s manager and longtime friend, Kyle Fritz, noted his memories of the actor, “Patti was my first client when I began over 30 years ago. We enjoyed every day we got to work together, and I will miss her spirit talent and tenacity but most of all her friendship.”
Her parents, Michael and Jean Yasutake, and her sister, business executive Irene Hirano Inouye, all passed away before her, but she is survived by siblings Linda Hayashi and Steven Yasutake and several nieces and nephews. A memorial will be held at the East West Players on August 25th between 1pm to 3pm local time.
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