Filipino-American actor and dancer Patrick Adiarte, known for his work 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 82. According to his niece, Stephanie Hogan, the cause of death was pneumonia.
Adiarte gained recognition on television for his role as cabin boy Ho-Jon, assisting characters 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 before his character’s exit from the series.
Born in Manila, Philippines, in 1942, Adiarte’s early life was marked by challenges. In 1945, he, his sister Irene, and his mother Purita were held captive by Japanese forces on the island of Cebu during World War II. At the time, he was a toddler. His father, a captain for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was killed a month following their capture.
After the war, Adiarte’s family relocated to New York City, New York, arriving via Ellis Island in 1946. They faced potential deportation while his sister underwent surgeries to treat facial scarring resulting from grenade fire during their captivity.
In 1952, a turning point came when Adiarte and his mother, a dancer, were cast in the Broadway production of “The King and I.” He initially portrayed one of the royal children and later played Prince Chulalongkorn in the 1956 film adaptation of the story. With the help of Senator John F. Kennedy, Adiarte and his family received U.S. citizenship in 1956.
Adiarte’s talent was further recognized 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. Kelly praised Adiarte’s dancing, stating 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, with classmates such as Liza Minnelli and Marvin Hamlisch. Gene Kelly, his mentor, also facilitated his work in dancing on Italian television.
Between 1965 and 1966, Adiarte was a regular dancer on NBC’s musical variety series “Hullabaloo,” which led to a short singing career. He released the pop track “Five Different Girls” during this time.
Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, Adiarte expanded his film and television resume. His film credits include “High Time” (1960) with Bing Crosby and “John Goldfarb, Please Come Home!” (1965). He also appeared on television series such as “The Brady Bunch,” “It Takes a Thief,” “Ironside,” “Bonanza,” “Hawaii Five-O,” and “Kojak.”
After his last television appearance on “Kojak” in 1974, Adiarte retired from acting to focus on teaching dance. He taught at institutions like Santa Monica College in California, where he shared his expertise with aspiring performers.
From 1975 to 1992, Adiarte was married to singer-actress Loni Ackerman. Their marriage lasted 17 years before ending in divorce.
Adiarte was renowned for his precision and energy as a dancer, attributes that made him a sought-after performer in stage and screen productions. His career as a Filipino-American performer during a time of limited representation was significant.
Adiarte’s transition from wartime captivity to success on Broadway and in Hollywood highlights 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.
