Star Trek It is Beef actress Patti Yasutake he died on Monday in Santa Monica of cancer. She was 70.
Yasutake’s manager Kyle Fritz confirmed the news to Varietysaying, “Patti was my first client when I started over 30 years ago. We enjoyed every day we worked together, and I will miss her spirit, talent and tenacity, but most of all, her friendship.”
Born in Los Angeles, Yasutake made her name in Hollywood after her debut in the 1986 Ron Howard-directed comedy. Gun Go. She is especially known for playing nurse Alyssa Ogawa in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. She joined the show as a recurring guest star from its fourth season in 1990 through its seventh and final season in 1994. She reprised her role in 1994 Star Trek: Generations and 1996 Star Trek: First Contact.
Most recently, Yasutake played George’s mother, Fumi Nakai, in the 2023 Netflix drama Beefwho took home the 2024 Golden Globe Awards for Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television.
His work in 1988 The washing It also earned her an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
After studying acting in college at UCLA, where she majored in theater, Yasutake began her career working with Mako at the East West Players theater company. She has also worked with other companies including Los Angeles Theatre Center, South Coast Repertory, The Westwood Playhouse, and more.
Additionally, she directed for the theater, staging premieres including Dough ball at East West Players and Dad, I need rice at the Ensemble Studio Theater, along with a reprise of Tea at the Odyssey Theater.
Yasutake is survived by siblings Linda Hayashi and Steve Yasutake.
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