The actor Patti Yasutake, known for a number of acting roles, but particularly in Netflix’s comedy drama show Beef and the science fiction series Star Trek: The Next Generation, has passed away aged 70.
Yasutake died peacefully at her home on August 5th, surrounded by her loved ones. The actor had previously been diagnosed with a rare form of T-cell lymphoma.
In the Netflix show Beef, playing the character of George’s mother, Fumi Nakai. It was a big role for the American actor, even though it came so late in her career.
When Yasutake was handed the script for Beef, she was blown away and claimed that it was like “the clouds parted and the sun came through.” She had told Netflix, “I was just elated, this many decades into my career, that a role like this would come along.”
Notably, Yasutake was gleeful with the fact that the role granted her an opportunity to play an Asian American character, which was something that she had often found difficulty with early into her career. However, after decades working in the film and television industry, Yasutake finally had found a character that duly represented her as a person and her heritage.
