M*A*S*H

Kellye Nakahara’s ‘M*A*S*H’ co-stars Alan Alda, Loretta Swit remember the late actress

Kellye Nakahara’s co-stars are mourning her loss.

Nakahara 𝕕𝕚𝕖𝕕 on Sunday at her home in Pasadena, Calif., following a brief battle with cancer, a family source confirmed to Fox News. She was 72.

An actress, Nakahara starred as Kellye Yamato in the hit television series “MAS*H” for 10 years, beginning in 1973 and ending with the series finale in 1983, according to IMDb.

Actresses Loretta Swit and Kellye Nakahara of "M*A*S*H" at the TV Land Awards in 2009.
Actresses Loretta Swit and Kellye Nakahara of “M*A*S*H” at the TV Land Awards in 2009. (Chris Polk/FilmMagic, File)

Starring alongside Nakahara was Loretta Swit, who offered Fox News a comment in response to the 𝕡𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕟𝕘 of her co-star. Swit, 82, called Nakahara a “jewel, a treasure.”

“She radiated sparkle and goodness and joy,” said Swit, who played Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan in the series. “The light that her presence brought will be deeply and forever missed.”

Alan Alda, who starred as “Hawkeye” Pierce, also offered a statement to Fox News.

Alda said that “Nakahara was a beautiful person and a natural as an actor.”

Alan Alda and Kellye Nakahara at the 7th Annual TV Land Awards in 2009. 
Alan Alda and Kellye Nakahara at the 7th Annual TV Land Awards in 2009.  (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images, File)

“She began as a background performer and worked her way up to playing the lead in an episode I wrote for her. She was adorable and brilliant in the part,” remembered Alda, 84. “But, you couldn’t beat what she was as a person, funnier and warmer and kinder than most people I’ve known. We all loved her on ‘M*A*S*H,’ and we’re all heartbroken to know she’s gone. Kelley was a treasure.”

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