MaKee K. Blaisdell

MaKee Kalaikinipeakapalekaikalawaiaopuna Blaisdell (November 15, 1931 – February 20, 1988), also known as Blaizdell[1] or Blaisdell Makee,[2] was an American actor on television, film, and stage. He was best known for playing Sergeant Alika, a recurring character in the television series Hawaiian Eye.[2] He also played the title character in the short film Johnny Lingo (1969), which was part of the LDS Seminary curriculum for many years.[3]

Blaisdell Makee
Born
MaKee Kalaikinipeakapalekaikalawaiaopuna Blaisdell

November 15, 1931
Territory of Hawaii
DiedFebruary 20, 1988(1988-02-20) (aged 56)
Ventura County, California, U.S.
Other namesBlaizdell Makee
Blaisdel Makee
OccupationActor

Early life and education

Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Blaisdell was a high school athlete, surfer, and captain of the swim team.[4][5] He graduated from Farrington High School in 1949.[4] He was a second cousin of Mayor Neal Blaisdell.[5]

At Brigham Young University, he initially majored in physical education and was voted one of the 10 "most preferred" men on campus.[4] He ultimately received his bachelor's degree in theatre arts from BYU.[5] In the late 1950s, he was selected as BYU actor of the year.[6]

Career

Makee had minor roles in two 1966 films, Paradise, Hawaiian Style starring Elvis Presley and The Last of the Secret Agents?[2]

He also acted on TV, with a recurring role as Sergeant Alika in Hawaiian Eye,[2] and appeared on Star Trek, The Big Valley, Ironside, and F-Troop.[6] He also appeared in Daniel Boone, Mission: Impossible,, and Whale Rider.

His stage roles included playing John Buchanan in Summer and Smoke by Tennessee Williams with Honolulu Community Theater.[7] He later performed with the Shakespeare Society of America in plays such as The White Devil by John Webster.[8]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes Refs
1961–1962 Hawaiian Eye Sergeant Alika [5]
1966Paradise, Hawaiian StylePua's EscortUncredited [2]
1966The Last of the Secret Agents?KingUncredited [2]
1967Star TrekShip OfficerEpisodes: "The Changeling" and "Space Seed"
1969Johnny LingoJohnny LingoShort, none [6]
1971 The Bold Ones Matthew NBC-TV movie [9]
1971The CultInvar(final film role)

Personal life and death

While living in Hawaii, Blaisdell sold securities for Trans Pacific Underwriters.[7] He died of heart failure in Ventura County, California, in 1988.[6]

References
  1. "Dave Donnelly's Hawaii". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. July 22, 1970. Retrieved April 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "McKee cast in Paramount Comedy". Los Angeles Evening Citizen News. December 13, 1965. Retrieved April 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Means, Sean P. (June 10, 2011). "LDS classic "Johnny Lingo" now on YouTube". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  4. "Makee Blaisdell Wins in College Popularity Poll". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. December 13, 1949. Retrieved April 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "MaKee Blaisdell to Star In Co-Production Movie". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. June 7, 1962. Retrieved February 9, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Church News: Death". Deseret News. March 12, 1988. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  7. "Two Newcomers in Next HCT Play". The Honolulu Advertiser. November 11, 1960. Retrieved April 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Elizabethan 'Devil' Given Uneven Staging". The Los Angeles Times. January 8, 1970. Retrieved April 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Verdict Brings A Surprise". Ithaca Journal. February 20, 1971. Retrieved April 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.

Sources
  • LDS film bios
  • Paul Skousen. Brother Paul's Mormon Bathroom Reader. (Springville, Utah: Cedar Fort, Inc., 2005) p. 169.
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