Patrick Adiarte, the charismatic actor and dancer who won hearts as Ho-Jon in the first season of the hit sitcom M*A*S*H, has died at the age of 82.
Born in the Philippines, Adiarte’s career sparkled both on stage and screen. He lit up Hollywood musicals, appearing in the film adaptations of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I and Flower Drum Song, before gracing television favorites like Bonanza, The Brady Bunch, Hawaii Five-O, and Kojak.
In 1972, he stepped into his most iconic role — the kind-hearted camp houseboy Ho-Jon on M*A*S*H — leaving an indelible mark on the show’s early years. A gifted dancer as well as an actor, Adiarte once performed alongside the legendary Gene Kelly, who praised him as a potential heir to Fred Astaire’s legacy.
His passing marks the end of a remarkable era for fans of classic television and musical theater alike.