Jon Miyahara, best known for playing Cloud 9 employee Brett Kobashigawa on the NBC workplace comedy “Superstore” from 2015 to 2021, died on Aug. 6, just two days before his 84th birthday, according to various media reports.
His daughter Pennie Cappasola told People magazine that the actor passed away with his wife Chiyo by his side.
His “Superstore” castmate Colton Dunn, who played Garrett, wrote on Instagram that Miyahara “was a really awesome guy and as a performer could speak volumes with just a look. He was such a memorable part of the Cloud 9 team. It was an honor to know him and work with him. I was lucky enough to meet some of his family and my thoughts are with them.”
Other “Superstore” vets offered condolences on social media.
Kelly Stables, who played Kelly: “Oh man! He was always so sweet.”
Irene White (Carol): “What an incredible man.”
Michael Bunin (Jeff): “I’m so sad to hear this news. Many fun days and many fun conversations. Very nice guy.”
Amir Korangy (Sayid): “He was such an amazing soul. Caring, smart and fun with a wonderful calming Zen demeanor. He was so sweet when I got ill and had so many positive conversations with me. R.I.P.”
Miyahara appeared in 105 of the show’s 113 episodes. He only had one memorable line of dialogue but was known for his deadpan stares. At the end of Season 2, Brett was thought to have been blown away by a tornado, but at the beginning of Season 3 he returned to work as though nothing had happened.
The show was praised for its Asian American representation. The cast also included Nico Santos as Mateo and Nichole Sakura (also known as Nichole Bloom) as Cheyenne.
Miyahara made a cameo appearance as Brett in another NBC sitcom, “American Auto.” Justin Spitzer created both series.
Other than “Superstore,” Miyahara’s only acting credits were multiple episodes of a YouTube show, “Elders React,” and the movie “Holding Tight” (2022).
The “Hudson Farmhouse” website said of his performance in the film, “The role showcased his range and depth, demonstrating his ability to portray vulnerability, resilience, and love with subtlety and grace. For many viewers, ‘Holding Tight’ offered a closer glimpse into Jon’s talents — this wasn’t just a man playing a part, but someone putting real-life experiences into a powerful performance. It resonated with audiences across generations.”
Jonathan Yasushi Miyahara was born in Los Angeles in 1941, but other details about his life are scarce.