Kellye Nakahara

Kellye Nakahara
Born
Kellye Nakahara Watson

(1948-01-16)January 16, 1948
Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, U.S.
DiedFebruary 16, 2020(2020-02-16) (aged 72)
Pasadena, California, U.S.
Other namesKellye Wallett
Occupation(s)Actress, watercolor artist
Spouse
David Wallett
​
(m. 1968)​
Children2

Kellye Nakahara Wallett[1] (January 16, 1948[2] – February 16, 2020) was an American actress, best known for playing Nurse Kellye in 167 episodes of the television comedy series M*A*S*H.

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 was cast as Nurse Kellye; she appeared in 167 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. She appeared in several other television shows, had small parts 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]

Death

Nakahara died of cancer at her home in Pasadena, California, on February 16, 2020.[1][2]

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 Golden Retriever Woman
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1973–83 M*A*S*H Lt. Nurse Kealani 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

  1. ^ a b c Carmel, Julia (February 19, 2020). "Kellye Nakahara, a Memorable Nurse on 'M*A*S*H,' Dies at 73". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 19, 2020. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Kellye Nakahara Wallett, Actress on 'M*A*S*H,' Dies at 72". The Hollywood Reporter. Associated Press. February 17, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  3. ^ Sippell, Margeaux (February 17, 2020). "'M*A*S*H' Actress Kellye Nakahara Dies After Battle With Cancer". TheWrap. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  4. ^ Nakahara Wallet, nurse Kellye of ‘M*A*S*H,’ dies at 72 rafu.com, February 18, 2020
  5. ^ R.I.P. Kellye Nakahara, who played Nurse Kellye on 10 seasons of M*A*S*H metv.com, MeTV staff, February 17, 2020
  6. ^ Henderson, Cydney (February 17, 2020). "'M*A*S*H' star Kellye Nakahara dies at 72". USA Today. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  7. ^ "Kellye Wallett Studio". Facebook. February 18, 2020.