Peter “Navy” Tuiasosopo, known for his roles in Necessary Roughness, 12 Rounds, Street Fighter, and New Girl, passed away on Monday in Phoenix at the age of 61. His son, Manoah Peter Tuiasosopo, confirmed his passing in a Facebook post.

“With a heavy heart, my family and I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. Our father Peter N. Tuiasosopo passed away this morning at 3:16am. My dad lived an amazing life and in no way does his impact stop here. We will continue to live with him in spirit, and as saddened as we are, he is without a doubt in Heaven with his brothers, sisters, parents, daughter, and Jesus, and no longer in pain,” Manoah posted.

Tuiasosopo’s son, Manoah, told TMZ that the actor passed away Monday morning in Phoenix, Arizona, due to heart complications. He described Peter as “a trailblazer for Polynesian actors in Hollywood.”

He was born in San Pedro California. He was a football player before he turned to acting. Tuiasosopo made his film debut in the 1991 sports comedy Necessary Roughness, where he played Manu, a lovable and imposing football player. His performance set the stage for a career that would include roles in major productions such as Street Fighter (1994), where he portrayed E. Honda, and 12 Rounds (2009). He also made numerous television appearances, including on New Girl, The West Wing, and Son of the Beach.

Beyond acting, Tuiasosopo was a proud advocate for Polynesian representation in Hollywood, often using his platform to inspire others from underrepresented communities to pursue careers in entertainment.

Rest In Peace.