Filipino-American actor and dancer Patrick Adiarte, recognized for his work in “The King and I,” “Flower Drum Song,” and the TV series “M*A*S*H,” passed away on April 15 in Los Angeles, California, at 82. His niece, Stephanie Hogan, stated that pneumonia was the cause of death.
Adiarte gained prominence with TV audiences as cabin boy Ho-Jon, assisting Hawkeye Pierce (Alan Alda) and Trapper John McIntyre (Wayne Rogers) during the first two seasons of “M*A*S*H” in the early 1970s. He featured in seven episodes of the series before his character exited.
Born in Manila, Philippines, Adiarte’s early years were challenging. He was imprisoned with his sister Irene and mother Purita by Japanese forces on Cebu Island in 1945 during World War II when he was a toddler. His father, a captain with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was killed a month after their capture.
After the war, Adiarte’s family relocated to New York City, New York, arriving via Ellis Island in 1946. They faced deportation threats while his sister underwent surgeries to remove facial scars from grenade fire during their internment.
Adiarte’s career began to flourish in 1952 when he and his mother, a dancer, were cast in the Broadway production of “The King and I.” He played one of the royal children and later portrayed Prince Chulalongkorn in the 1956 film adaptation. With assistance from Senator John F. Kennedy, Adiarte and his family received U.S. citizenship in 1956.
His talent further emerged when director and choreographer Gene Kelly cast him as Wang San in the 1958 Broadway production of “Flower Drum Song,” a role he reprised in the 1961 film version. Kelly praised Adiarte’s dancing, saying on television, “If there’s gonna be another Fred Astaire, I think it might well be Pat.”
Adiarte studied dance at the Professional Children’s School in New York, where classmates included Liza Minnelli and Marvin Hamlisch. Gene Kelly helped him secure dance roles on Italian television.
From 1965 to 1966, Adiarte was a regular dancer on NBC’s “Hullabaloo,” leading to a brief singing career with the release of “Five Different Girls.”
Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, Adiarte expanded his film and TV credits. His films included “High Time” (1960) with Bing Crosby, and “John Goldfarb, Please Come Home!” (1965). He also made guest appearances on TV series like “The Brady Bunch,” “It Takes a Thief,” “Ironside,” “Bonanza,” “Hawaii Five-O,” and “Kojak.”
After his final TV role on “Kojak” in 1974, Adiarte largely retired from acting to focus on teaching dance. He taught at various institutions, including Santa Monica College in California.
Adiarte was married to singer-actress Loni Ackerman. Their marriage ended in divorce.
Adiarte was known for his precision and energy as a dancer, qualities that made him a sought-after performer in stage and screen productions. His success as a Filipino-American performer during a time of limited representation was significant.
Adiarte’s journey from wartime imprisonment to success on Broadway and in Hollywood demonstrates his resilience and talent. He is survived by his niece and nephew, who continue to honor his legacy as an important figure in American entertainment history.