‘M*A*S*H’ Actress Kelly Nakahara Dies at 72 After Cancer Battle

Kellye Nakahara, the actress known for playing Nurse Kellye on CBS’ long-running “MAS*H,” has died from complications from cancer. She was 72. Her death was confirmed on the Facebook page for her art studio, Kellye Wallett Studio.

Nakahara was born in Oahu, Hawaii, and moved to San Francisco as a young adult to pursue a career in art. In 1973, she was cast in her breakout role on “MASH, originally simply as “Nurse #1.” That role turned into Nurse Kellye Yamato, in which she appeared on the show for its entire run through 1983. In all, she appeared in 167 episodes.

Later in her acting career, Nakahara appeared in movies like “Clue” in 1985 and the 1998 version of “Doctor Doolittle” with Eddie Murphy.

Nakahara was also a watercolor artist who painted and exhibited under her married name, Kellye Wallett. Her death comes just weeks after MAS*H co-creator Gene Reynplds passed away at age 96.

Nakahara is survived by her husband David Wallace, their two children, Nalaani and William, and four grandchildren.