‘M*A*S*H’ Star Patrick Adiarte Passed Away At 82

Patrick Adiarte, the beloved actor and dancer known for his roles in M*A*S*H and The King and I, has passed away at the age of 82. His family confirmed that he died from pneumonia on Tuesday, April 15, in a Los Angeles hospital.

His niece, Stephanie Hogan, shared the news with The Hollywood Reporter, confirming that the actor had been battling the illness before his passing.

From the Philippines to Broadway

Born in the Philippines in 1942, Adiarte’s early life was marked by hardship. At just two years old, he and his family were imprisoned by Japanese forces during World War II. After escaping, they moved to New York, where they were eventually granted American citizenship.

Adiarte’s career in show business started early. In 1952, he joined the Broadway production of The King and I as one of the royal children. When the musical was adapted into a movie in 1956, he returned—this time playing Prince Chulalongkorn.

Lighting Up Stage and Screen

By 1958, Adiarte had earned a spot in Flower Drum Song, another Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. His performance of “You Be the Rock, I’ll Be the Roll” alongside Pat Suzuki became a standout moment. He also appeared in the 1961 film version of the show.
In the mid-’60s, he showed off his dance skills on the popular NBC music variety show Hullabaloo, where he was a regular featured performer from 1965 to 1966.

A Memorable Role in “M*A*S*H”

Adiarte gained further recognition when he appeared in the hit sitcom M*A*S*H during the 1970s. He played a Korean houseboy named Ho-Jon who worked closely with Alan Alda and Wayne Rogers. This role caught a lot of viewers’ attention and put him on screen with some of TV’s most famous actors.

Because of his talent on stage and screen, Patrick Adiarte became one of the biggest names in American theater. He will always be remembered for his skill, charm, and strength.