M*A*S*H star Kellye Nakahara passes away at the age of 72 after a short battle with cancer

M*A*S*H star Kellye Nakahara who played Lieutenant Nurse Kellye passes away at age 72 after a short battle with cancer

M*A*S*H star Kellye Nakahara passed away at the age of 72 following a short cancer battle. 

The veteran actress was surrounded by family when she died ‘peacefully’ at her home in Pasadena on Sunday, as reported by TMZ. 

Nakahara portrayed the role of Lieutenant Nurse Kellye on the hit CBS comedy, starring in a total of 165 episodes.

Never forgotten: M*A*S*H star Kellye Nakahara passed away at her home in Pasadena on Sunday following a short battle with cancer; seen in 2003

The once in a lifetime part was the actress’ first ever acting role, but she would go on to land minor parts in a number of productions from Clue in 1985 to Kevin Bacon’s 1988 film She’s Having A Baby.

When she initially suited up as Lieutenant Nurse Kellye during the series’ early days, her character was simply named Nurse 1.

But when M*A*S*H producer Gene Reynolds and the show’s star Alan Alda began to get to know the vivacious Kellye, Nurse 1 began to adapt the actress’ qualities.

During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in 2018, Nakahara discussed the evolution her character underwent at the hands of Reynolds and Alda.

Lieutenant Nurse Kellye: She portrayed the role of Lieutenant Nurse Kellye on the hit CBS comedy, starring in a total of 165 episodes

Lieutenant Nurse Kellye: She portrayed the role of Lieutenant Nurse Kellye on the hit CBS comedy, starring in a total of 165 episodes

‘Gene and Alan liked me. All of a sudden, I was being written in as Nurse 123 and then Nurse Able, Baker and Charlie. At some point, Alan said he couldn’t keep calling me Nurse 1. “You’re Kellye. Nurse Kellye.”‘

During the interview, the then 70-year-old actress discussed how her race was never a point of contention at the network, on set, or in the show’s scripts.

‘I was the first Asian who didn’t play one. I was just an American soldier, a nurse on the same level as everyone else. My true ethnicity never even came up,’ she said.  

Kellye was a native of Hawaii, born and raised on the island of Oahu, before making the trek to San Francisco to pursue her initial dream of becoming an artist.

Minor roles: Kellye Nakahara dressed in a maids uniform while smoking a cigarette in a scene from the film Clue in 1985

Minor roles: Kellye Nakahara dressed in a maids uniform while smoking a cigarette in a scene from the film Clue in 1985

Part of history: The show would span over a decade with Kellye remaining a part of the cast until the show's end in 1983; Nakahara pictured here with McLean Stevenson in an episode of M*A*S*H from 1972

Part of history: The show would span over a decade with Kellye remaining a part of the cast until the show’s end in 1983; Nakahara pictured here with McLean Stevenson in an episode of M*A*S*H from 1972

That is where she would meet her husband of nearly 52 years, David Wallett.

Upon the pair’s eventual move to Los Angeles, David encouraged his artist wife to pursue acting, which led to ever eventual M*A*S*H legacy.

The couple went on to have two children, daughter Nalani and son William. The Hawaiian native also leaves behind two grandchildren.

A special role: 'I was the first Asian who didn't play one. I was just an American soldier, a nurse on the same level as everyone else. My true ethnicity never even came up,' revealed Nakahara during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in 2018; Kellye Nakahara pictured at the 7th Annual TV Land Awards in 2009

A special role: ‘I was the first Asian who didn’t play one. I was just an American soldier, a nurse on the same level as everyone else. My true ethnicity never even came up,’ revealed Nakahara during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in 2018; Kellye Nakahara pictured at the 7th Annual TV Land Awards in 2009

M*A*S*H aired its very first episode in September of 1972 and continues to be considered one of the most prolific series in the history of television. 

Members of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital took their final bow in 1983 for its series finale that would rake in a record-breaking 106million viewers.

The show continues to live on through reruns and syndication.  

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk