Patti Yasutake dead at 70: Beef and Star Trek actress passes away after cancer battle

Patti Yasutake – who starred in Emmy Award winning limited series Beef – has died at 70 after a battle with cancer.

The veteran actress passed away peacefully while surrounded by friends and family on August 5 after a long battle with cancer.

Her longtime manager and friend Kyle Fritz confirmed the news to Deadline on Tuesday.

Not only did she star in the critically-acclaimed series but she also portrayed fan favorite character Nurse Alyssa Ogawa on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Not only did she star in the critically-acclaimed series but she also portrayed fan favorite character Nurse Alyssa Ogawa on Star Trek: The Next Generation; she is pictured in 1990

Her last TV role was arguably her highest-profile one as she starred George’s (played by Joseph Lee and pictured right) overbearing mother Fumi Nakai

She later reprised the role in films Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek Generations. 

Her last TV role was arguably her highest-profile one as she starred George’s overbearing mother Fumi Nakai. 

Joseph Lee played her sculptor of Japanese heritage son in the series as he was stay at home husband to Ali Wong’s leading character Amy Lau. 

The ten-episode series earned eight wins at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards including Outstanding Limited or Anthology series and acting wins for both Wong and Steven Yeun.

It also earned all three of its nominated categories at the 81st Golden Globes in January including Best Limited or Anthology Series or Television film. 

Patti’s aforementioned manager Kyle told Deadline of his client: ‘Patti was my first client when I began over 30 years ago.

‘We enjoyed every day we got to work together, and I will miss her spirit talent and tenacity but most of all her friendship.’