Peter Tuiasosopo (1963 – 2025)

Biography and cause of death of Peter Tuiasosopo

Peter “Navy” Tuiasosopo (May 24, 1963 – February 10, 2025) Peter Tuiasosopo was an American actor and professional football player. He is known for his roles as E. Honda in Street Fighter (1994) and Manumana in Necessary Roughness (1991). He also played custodian Yoshi Nakamura in the Disney Channel series Kickin’ It.

Tuiasosopo played football as a center in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Rams. He played college football for the Utah State Aggies.

Peter Tuiasosopo Early years

Tuiasosopo was born and raised in San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, as one of seven children. His father, Manavaalofa Petelo, served in the U.S. Army for 27 years and worked for the U.S. Postal Service, and his mother, Silaulala “Sheila” Lealoa Alofaituli, was a registered nurse.

Tuiasosopo attended Taper Avenue Elementary and San Pedro High School in San Pedro, California. He lettered in both football as an offensive/defensive lineman and on the track team as a shot putter. He accepted a football scholarship from Utah State University.

Peter Tuiasosopo Career

Tuiasosopo Professional football

Tuiasosopo was signed as an undrafted free agent by the St. Louis Cardinals after the 1987 NFL Draft. He was waived on August 1. Following the NFL players’ strike in the third week of the 1987 season, he was signed to the Los Angeles Rams’ roster of replacement players. He started three games at center but was released after the strike ended.

In 1988, Tuiasosopo was re-signed by the Rams, but was cut during the preseason. He was again signed and then released during preseason by the Rams the following year.

Peter Tuiasosopo Acting

Tuiasosopo turned to acting after his football career. His film debut was as Laikai “The Slender” Manumana in the 1991 sports comedy Necessary Roughness. He took a leave of absence from McDonnell Douglas in Long Beach, California for the film. Shortly afterwards,[when?] he co-starred in his first television series with Adam West as the strong-armed detective Al Hamoki for the Fox network called Danger Theatre.

He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Edmond Honda in the live action movie Street Fighter (1994), which introduced a new origin for the character as that of a news cameraman instead of a sumo wrestler. He also had roles in BASEketball, The Scorpion King, The Fast and the Furious, Austin Powers in Goldmember, 12 Rounds, Speedracer and Hawaii.

Peter Tuiasosopo Personal life and death

Tuiasosopo’s uncle was Bob Apisa. His cousins were Manu Tuiasosopo, John Tautolo and Terry Tautolo. His second cousin was former NFL quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo. His niece is American rower Lanea Tuiasosopo.

Tuiasosopo died from heart complications in Phoenix, Arizona, on February 10, 2025, at the age of 61.

Source: Wikipedia