Patti Yasutake was an actress best known for playing Nurse Alyssa Ogawa on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” a recurring character who also appeared in several “Star Trek” movies.
- Died: August 5, 2024 (Who else died on August 5?)
- Details of death: Died at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center, California of lymphoma at the age of 70.
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Patti Yasutake’s legacy
California-born Patti Yasutake earned a degree in theater from UCLA and got her start in acting with the East West Players, both as an actor and as a theater director. Though more widely known for her work on screen, Yasutake guided productions for East West Players, Richmond Shepherd Theater, the Ensemble Studio Theater, the Odyssey Theatre and others, and continued to work in theater throughout her career.
She made her television debut in 1985 on the William Shatner-led show, “T.J. Hooker,” which was quickly followed by appearances on “Knots Landing,” “Gung Ho,” “Mr. Belvedere,” and others. Yasutake’s best known role came in 1990, when she first appeared as Nurse Alyssa Ogawa on “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Ogawa became a recurring character on the series, and Yasutake went on to reprise the role in two “Star Trek” movies, “Generations” and “First Contact.”
She was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for her work in 1989’s “The Wash” and for two International Online Cinema Awards last year for making an impact in Netflix’s Emmy Award-winning mini-series, “Beef.”
Tributes to Patti Yasutake
Full obituary: The Hollywood Reporter
