Taylor Wily's family issue touching tributes to late Hawaii Five-0 star: 'Singing for their uncle Tee'

Taylor Wily's devastated family have posted heart-wrenching tributes to the star following his death.

The Hawaii Five-0 and Magnum P.I. actor passed away on Thursday days after his 56th birthday.

His heartbroken loved ones are among those honoring the late actor and former wrestler.

Wily's sister shared a touching video of her family coming together to share in their grief, including a video of his nephews singing Bob Marley's 'Three Little Birds'.

'Mourning and celebrating our favorite brother and uncle the way he would want us to. Family, Food, Music and Good Vibes,' Alyssa Wily Tonga wrote on Facebook .

She posted the video of the boys singing with the caption, 'singing for their uncle Tee'.

His niece Latoya Levaiosina also took to social media to express her condolences to his wife Halona and their two children.

'It still feels like a bad dream Unko Big Tee we love you always,' she wrote. 'Gonna miss hearing you and Pops Ais' talking almost every night. So many good and funny memories.'

Wily's cause of death has not yet been made public.

The Hawaii-born actor was a beloved TV and film fixture, whose other credits included MacGyver, North Shore and Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

Former colleagues also paid their respects in posts praising the 'gentle giant' for his warm character and professionalism.

Singing for their uncle tee

Posted by Alyssa Wily Tonga on Friday, June 21, 2024

Peter Lenkov, who cast Wily as Kamekona Tupuola in Hawaii Five-0,  shared his fond memories and revealed the two had spoken just last week.

'T as I told you many times, I fell in love with you at the first audition,' he wrote.

'You came in with a towel on your head mopping up sweat, and I was smitten. You charmed me into making you a regular… on the show… and in my life.

'You were family. And I will miss you every day, brother.

'PS: when we spoke last week, we laughed at how right you were from Day 1. Five-0 was our dream job. And I was so lucky we got to share that magic together.'

Former co-star Dennis Chun posted a throwback photo of the two on set.

'Laura and I are heart broken to learn of the passing of Taylor Wily, he wrote on Instagram. He was not just a great talent but he was a giant of man.

'His aloha and heart always made sharing a scene with him such a joy. It was an honor to not only work with him but also to call him friend.

'Rest well Taylor. Hawaii and I weep tonight. Aloha Taylor until we meet again.'

Wily transitioned into acting after a stint as a UFC fighter, debuting as a TV special in 1993, UFC 1: The Beginning.

He lost three teeth as well as the fight against Dutch kickboxer and MMA pro Gerard Gordeau and retired from the sport shortly after.

Prior to this he was a sumo wrestler who went unbeaten in his first 14 bouts. Weighing almost 440lb he was among the heaviest in the sport.