Patti Yasutake, Who Appeared in Beef and Star Trek, Dies at 70

May 2024 · 4 minute read

Patti Yasutake, who was a regular on “Beef” and played Nurse Alyssa Ogawa on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” died Aug. 5 in Santa Monica of cancer. She was 70.

Her manager Kyle Fritz said that “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.”

On Netflix’s “Beef,” Yasutake played George’s mother Fumi Nakai. She reprised her “Star Trek” role as Nurse Alyssa Ogawa in the films “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “Star Trek Generations.”

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She started her career working with Mako at East West Players theater company. She also worked with the other companies including Los Angeles Theatre Center, South Coast Repertory, the Westwood Playhouse.

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Her work in 1988’s “The Wash” brought her an Independent Spirit Awards nomination for best supporting actress. Yasutake’s major feature debut came in Ron Howard’s 1986 comedy “Gung Ho,” and she went on to star in the TV series adaptation as Umeki, a Japanese wife trying to become more Americanized.

Her other TV guest appearances included “The Closer,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Bones,” and films including “Drop Dead Gorgeous,” “Blind Spot” and “The Road to Galveston.”

She also 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.

Born in Los Angeles, she was raised in Gardena and Inglewood and graduated UCLA with Honors in Theater.

She is survived by siblings Linda Hayashi and Steve Yasutake.

A memorial open to her colleagues and fans will be held at East West Players 120 N Judge Aiso Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Donations may be made to East West Players at: eastwestplayers.org

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