Star Trek and Beef actress Patti Yasutake died on Monday in Santa Monica of cancer. She was 70.
Yasutake’s manager, Kyle Fritz, confirmed the news to Variety, saying, “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.”
Born in Los Angeles, Yasutake made a name for herself in Hollywood following her debut in the Ron Howard-directed 1986 comedy Gung 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 in its fourth season in 1990 until its seventh and final season in 1994. She reprised her role in 1994’s Star Trek: Generations and 1996’s Star Trek: First Contact.
More recently, Yasutake portrayed George’s mother, Fumi Nakai, on the 2023 Netflix drama Beef, which took home the 2024 Golden Globe Award for Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television.
Her work in 1988’s The Wash also brought her an Independent Spirit Awards nomination for best supporting actress.
After studying acting in college at UCLA, where she graduated with a degree in theater, Yasutake started her career working with Mako at East West Players theater company. She 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 Doughball at East West Players and Father, I Must Have 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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