Patrick Adiarte, fondly remembered for playing Ho-Jon during the first season of the iconic series MASH*, has passed away at the age of 82.
Born in the Philippines, Adiarte carved out a remarkable path in Hollywood, especially during a time when Asian representation on screen was rare. He made his mark in classic musicals like The King and I and Flower Drum Song, where his talent for dance and performance truly shined.
Throughout the ’60s and ’70s, he became a familiar face on television, appearing in popular shows such as Bonanza, The Brady Bunch, Hawaii Five-O, and Kojak. But it was his role as the kind and loyal Ho-Jon on MASH* that endeared him to audiences, portraying a character that brought warmth and heart to the early episodes of the groundbreaking series.
Adiarte was also a gifted dancer, once performing alongside the legendary Gene Kelly, who even saw in him the potential to follow in the footsteps of Fred Astaire.
His legacy lives on in the hearts of fans who grew up watching him on screen, and in the doors he helped open for future generations of Asian-American performers.