A star of the hit TV sitcom New Girl has tragically died.
The show aired from 2011 to 2018, revolving around quirky teacher Jessica Day (Zooey Deschanel) after she moves into a Los Angeles loft with three men.
Combining comedy and drama, the series follows the group as they deal with relationship issues and career choices.
Now, New Girl stars have been left devastated after hearing of the loss of one of its stars.
Fans are paying tribute online, with one writing, “Rest in peace, and sending well wishes to his family and loved ones.”
Another shares, “Prayers for his family.”
A third simply states, “Rest in peace.”
Someone else reflects, “He was such a sweet guy in everything he played.”
Peter Navy Tuiasosopo was an American actor and professional gridiron football player.
He is best known for his role as E. Honda in Street Fighter (1994) and Big Bob and Steve in New Girl, starring in the ‘Bathtub’ episode.
Tuiasosopo began his career in the 1990s, appearing in Down the Shore, Batman & Robin, and The Fast and the Furious, among others.
According to IMDb, his last credited role was in Magnum P.I. in 2021.
Tuiasosopo’s son, Manoah Peter Tuiasosopo, confirmed his passing in a heartfelt family statement on Facebook.
“My dad lived an incredible life, and his impact doesn’t end here,” Manoah wrote. “Though we are deeply saddened, we know he is in Heaven, reunited with his brothers, sisters, parents, daughter, and Jesus—free from pain.”
He continued, “His strength, love, compassion, and kindness will always be felt.”
Manoah later told TMZ that the actor died at age 61 on Monday morning in Phoenix, Arizona, from heart complications.
He also noted that his father was ‘a trailblazer for Polynesian actors in Hollywood.’
