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Patrick Adirte, a legendary Filipino-born dancer who appeared in the film version of “The King and I,” passed away at the age of 81, according to numerous Friends reports. Social Media.
He was suffering from poor health.
Adirte’s Whipcord Precision and Verve became extremely popular dancers in the 50s and 60s, securing his presence in pop and culturally important television shows, films and Broadway musicals.
Born in Manila on August 2, 1943, he emigrated to the United States and began his career playing Prince Chulalongorn in the iconic “The King and I” (1956) with a cast that includes Yul Brynner, Deborah Kerr and Rita Moreno.
He repeated the performances that year’s Broadway Revival of the 1951 show.
In 1958, Adialte was cast as King Sun in Broadway’s Flower Wardrum Song, directed by Jean Kelly. Made by Adialte The touching look of the TV show “Omnibus” Alongside Kelly, he said in the order titled “Dance, the Man’s Game,” “If there’s another Fred Astaire, I think it might be Pat.” The two then dance together, showing how the tap’s movements progressed and how they advanced and modernized, while Kelly represents the old and the new on behalf of Adialte.
After appearing in the 1960 Bing Crosby, Fabian, Tuesday Weld and Blake Edwards comedy “High Time,” he revisited his role in the 1961 silver-screen version of “Flower Wardrum Song,” starring Nancy Kwan and James Shigeta.
Also in 1961, Adialte played the prince in the TV version of The Enchanting Nutcracker with Robert Goolet and Carol Lawrence.
Adirte put his dance down (and sing) Test skills as a regular in the beloved dance series “Hullabaloo” (1965-1966). A fierce interpretation of “Gotta Dance!” It was when Virginia Wing was relegated to the role of “Show Street” (1965) when TV Asians were often relegated to stereotypical roles.
He attempted a singing career in 1965 with the single “Five Different Girls.” He also cut tracks saying, “Would you get your kick now?”, “Move” and “Don’t let this room become your world.”
One of his most instantly recognizable appearances was to play Construction Gofer David in two of the two episodes of the Hawaiian-themed Brady Bunch in 1972. Soon after, the family encountered a mysterious problem. Raw around Peter’s chest from the tarantula before throwing her out in hula lessons to Greg, who is about to drown with a surf wipeout.
Adirte also played Ho-Jon in seven episodes of “M*A*S*H” (1972-1973), and in “Kojak” (1974).
He then retired from screenwork and focused on teaching dance. A few years ago, Adialte was like that. Still cutting out the impressive appearance of the dance floor.
