Filipino-American actor and dancer Patrick Adiarte, recognized for his roles in “The King and I,” “Flower Drum Song,” and the TV series “M*A*S*H,” passed away on April 15, 2025, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 82. His niece, Stephanie Hogan, confirmed pneumonia as the cause of death.
Adiarte gained recognition among television audiences with his portrayal of cabin boy Ho-Jon, who worked alongside 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 appeared in seven episodes of the series before his character left the show.
Born in 1942 in Manila, Philippines, Adiarte faced challenges early in life. In 1945, during World War II, he, his sister Irene, and his mother Purita were imprisoned by Japanese forces on Cebu Island. His father, a captain in 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, arriving via Ellis Island in 1946. They encountered deportation threats while his sister needed surgeries to address facial scarring from grenade fire during their internment.
Adiarte’s career began to take off in 1952 when he and his mother, a dancer, were cast in the Broadway production of “The King and I.” He initially played one of the royal children and later took on the role of Prince Chulalongkorn in the 1956 film adaptation. In 1956, with the assistance of Senator John F. Kennedy, Adiarte and his family were granted U.S. citizenship.
His career continued to flourish 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 adaptation. Kelly, impressed by Adiarte’s dancing skills, once noted on a television appearance, “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 his classmates included future stars Liza Minnelli and Marvin Hamlisch. With the support of his mentor, Gene Kelly, he also secured an opportunity to perform on Italian television for a year.
From 1965 to 1966, Adiarte was a regular dancer on NBC’s musical variety series “Hullabaloo,” which led to a brief singing career with the release of the pop song “Five Different Girls.”
During the 1960s and early 1970s, Adiarte built a notable portfolio of film and television roles. His film credits included “High Time” (1960), where he starred as T.J. Padmanagham alongside Bing Crosby, and “John Goldfarb, Please Come Home!” (1965). He also made guest appearances on several television series such as “The Brady Bunch,” “It Takes a Thief,” “Ironside,” “Bonanza,” “Hawaii Five-O,” and “Kojak.”
After his last television role on “Kojak” in 1974, Adiarte largely retired from acting to focus on teaching dance at various institutions, including Santa Monica College in California, sharing his knowledge with future performers.
Adiarte was married to singer-actress Loni Ackerman for 17 years from 1975 until 1992, when they divorced.
Throughout his career, Adiarte was noted for his precision and energy in dance, making him sought-after in both stage and screen productions. His ability to navigate the entertainment industry as a Filipino-American performer during a period with limited representation was notable.
Adiarte’s journey from wartime imprisonment to success in Broadway and Hollywood reflects 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.
