Patrick Adiarte, the Filipino-born actor and dancer celebrated for his roles in MASH* and The Brady Bunch, has died at the age of 82. Adiarte passed away on April 15, 2025, in a Los Angeles hospital due to complications from pneumonia, as confirmed by his niece and family members.
Born in Manila in 1942, Adiarte’s early life was marked by hardship, including internment with his mother and sister during World War II and the loss of his father. After immigrating to the United States in the late 1940s, he quickly found success on stage, joining the original Broadway cast of The King and I at just eight years old.
He later starred as Prince Chulalongkorn in the 1956 film adaptation alongside Yul Brynner and reprised the role in subsequent Broadway revivals.
Adiarte’s career flourished across stage and screen. He was widely recognised for his portrayal of Ho-Jon in the first season of MASH* (1972–1973), a role that endeared him to millions of viewers. He also made a memorable appearance as David, the tour guide, in the Hawaii episodes of The Brady Bunch. His television credits include guest roles on Bonanza, Hawaii Five-O, Kojak, and Ironside, and he was a regular dancer on the NBC musical variety show Hullabaloo.
In film, Adiarte appeared in Flower Drum Song (1961) as Wang San, and in High Time (1960) and John Goldfarb, Please Come Home! (1965), showcasing his versatility as both an actor and dancer. He was mentored by Gene Kelly, who praised his talent and even called him a potential successor to Fred Astaire.
After stepping away from acting in the mid-1970s, Adiarte dedicated himself to teaching dance, sharing his passion and expertise with new generations of performers at institutions such as Santa Monica College.
Patrick Adiarte’s legacy is one of resilience, artistry, and trailblazing achievement for Asian representation in Hollywood. He is survived by his niece, Stephanie, and nephew, Michael. His contributions to stage and screen, along with his inspiring life story, will be remembered by fans and colleagues around the world.