Francine Beppu, the reality TV personality known for her role on Showtime’s “The Real L Word,” has passed away at 43. A family representative told TMZ on Sunday that Beppu died on Feb. 17 at her residence in Honolulu, Hawaii. The family has not revealed the cause of death.
In a Monday statement, Beppu’s family paid tribute to her “radiant light” and “the profound influence she had on those in her life.” They shared their gratitude for knowing “how deeply loved she was and how her light will continue to shine.” The family asked for privacy as they cope with their “unimaginable loss” and said they would share details about a celebration of her life at a later time.
Beppu entered the cast of “The Real L Word” in 2011 during its second season, appearing with her then-partner Claire Moseley. The series, which premiered on June 20, 2010, and continued through 2012, chronicled the everyday and romantic lives of LGBTQ+ women mostly in Los Angeles, with its final season based in Brooklyn, New York.
At 28, Beppu became one of the show’s central figures. Her storyline highlighted a major turning point as she came out as a lesbian to her mother on camera—an act that resonated far beyond the show. She later emphasized that her experience especially connected with other Asian lesbians who had not yet come out.
In a 2022 interview with Sa’Ke Film Group for National Coming Out Day, Beppu reflected on the significance of sharing her story: “I didn’t realize my coming out story would have such an impact on other people in the way that it did.”
The only child of a Sansei father and a mother from Japan, Beppu — born Francine “Naoko” Beppu — was raised in Nu’uanu, Oahu. She remained closeted until attending New York University’s Stern School of Business, where she began to embrace her identity. Early in her career, she worked at Sony Electronics and Viacom, contributing to the launch of Logo, the first LGBTQ+ cable network. She later moved to Los Angeles, where she eventually joined the cast of the reality series.
Beppu departed “The Real L Word” after season two and eventually returned to Hawaii. In the fall of 2017, she noticed the Honolulu Pride parade from her condo on Ala Moana Boulevard—an experience that motivated her to engage in LGBTQ+ advocacy. After attending a Honolulu Pride town hall, she began volunteering with the Hawaii LGBT Legacy Foundation.
Beginning as a volunteer, Beppu later became co-chair of the marketing committee and eventually joined the board of directors. She ultimately became the board chair for the Hawaii LGBT Legacy Foundation, leading strategic planning, fundraising efforts, and development programs for Honolulu Pride that benefitted local nonprofits.
Her advocacy continued outside the nonprofit sector. In October 2022, Beppu shared her coming-out story in the Hawaii Herald’s Pride issue, providing inspiration to younger LGBTQ+ people navigating their identities.
Professionally, Beppu served as vice president of network strategy for NMG Network, where she crafted forward-thinking go-to-market plans for delivering original content to global travelers. In 2025, she launched Badliars Collective, a women-led public benefit corporation focused on golf and dedicated to “driving inclusivity” by “uplifting historically underrepresented groups and celebrating diversity in all its forms.”
Her final social media posts in late December 2025 hinted at new developments for her brand. She teased “big announcements dropping soon” and highlighted a partnership for a golf tournament planned for April 2026.
Beppu’s evolution from reality TV star to community leader reflected her devotion to authenticity and service. While “The Real L Word” brought her national recognition, her most enduring mark came through her advocacy efforts in Hawaii, where she helped create safe and welcoming spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals.
The show that introduced Beppu to the public also offered vital representation to LGBTQ+ viewers who rarely saw their experiences portrayed in mainstream media. Her willingness to share her coming-out journey provided crucial visibility at a time when such representation remained limited, especially for Asian LGBTQ+ people.
As news of her passing spread across entertainment outlets, friends, colleagues, and admirers remembered Beppu for her compassion and her dedication to promoting positive change. Her influence lives on through the partnerships she built, the initiatives she led, and the inclusive communities she helped strengthen in Hawaii and beyond.