Renowned actress Patti Yasutake, celebrated for her roles in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and the Netflix series “Beef,” has passed away at the age of 70. Her long-time friend and manager, Kyle Fritz, confirmed her death on August 5, 2024, following an extended fight with a rare form of T-cell lymphoma.
Yasutake, born on September 6, 1953 in Los Angeles, California, enjoyed a lively career that spanned more than 30 years. She started her acting journey with a role in the 1985 police drama “T.J. Hooker,” sharing the screen with William Shatner. Her breakthrough came in Ron Howard’s 1986 comedy, “Gung Ho,” where she played Umeki Kazihiro, a Japanese wife trying to adapt to American culture.
The role that Yasutake is most recognized for is Nurse Alyssa Ogawa in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” a character she returned to play in the films “Star Trek Generations” (1994) and “Star Trek: First Contact” (1996). Speaking about her recurring role, Yasutake once said, “It was really fun when you get the call to come back because it made you feel good that you were probably doing something they appreciated.”
Her last notable role was in the Netflix series “Beef,” where she played Fumi Nakai, the mother of George, a character portrayed by Joseph Lee. The show, which also starred Ali Wong and Steven Yeun, was critically acclaimed and won several awards. Yasutake took great pleasure in being part of this series, noting both the joy of its creation and the positive response from viewers.
Yasutake was respected throughout her career for not only her acting ability but also her commitment and spirit. Her manager, Kyle Fritz, noted, “Patti was my first client when I began over 30 years ago. We enjoyed every day we worked together, and I will miss her spirit, talent, tenacity, but most of all, her friendship.”
Yasutake also had an extensive theater career, including roles at East West Players, where she collaborated with the company’s co-founder, Mako. She also worked with other theater companies such as Los Angeles Theatre Center, South Coast Repertory, and Westwood Playhouse. Her role in the 1988 film “The Wash” led to an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Female.
Yasutake is survived by her siblings, Linda Hayashi and Steve Yasutake. A memorial service is scheduled for August 25, 2024, at the East West Players Theater company in Los Angeles, California, where she started her acting career. Her family has asked for donations to the East West Players in lieu of flowers, as a tribute to her longstanding association with the theater community.
