Page 18 - MidWeek - Sep 15 2021

16 MIDWEEK SEPTEMBER 15, 2021
Like any sec- ond-grader in the mid-2000s, Matt Sato vividly remembers watching shows like The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and High School Musical on Disney Channel. From his home in Mililani, he sat in front of the TV reveling in the entertain- ment and enjoyment they provided, knowing it was one day something he wanted to be a part of in some way, shape or form.
to be true,” says the 20-year-old actor.
always looked up to him, and being able to work with him is unreal.”
MIDWEEK COVER STORY
Part-time angler and full-time actor Matt Sato casts in his line and lands a big role in the Disney+ series Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.
STORY BY NICOLE MONTON PHOTO BY ANTHONY CONSILLIO
And now, that dream has come to fruition as Sato stars as series reg- ular Kai Kameāloha in the Disney+ reboot of Doogie Howser, M.D. — Doogie Kameāloha, M.D. — which aired its first episode Sept. 8 on the streaming service.
“Kai is super free-spir- ited and not into doing what’s popular, just whatever makes him happy,” Sato says. “His little sister, Doogie, is super intelligent, book smart, and Kai is more street smart, and he can be very emotionally in- telligent.”
“Brian is carefree and ridiculously funny and tries to impress every- one,” Sato says. “It’s how I was when I was young- er. I remember wanting to be the center of attention all the time growing up.”
After his chemistry read with Peyton Eliza- beth Lee (who plays the title role of teen medical prodigy Lahela “Doogie” Kameāloha), Sato, and the rest of the TV execs, knew his appointment as big brother Kai was meant to be.
Getting to play the oldest of three is a fun role for Sato (who in real life is younger brother to Gavin Kaleialii Sato). The role-reversal allows him to take on the ar- chetypal character arc, messing with his younger siblings Doogie and Bri- an Patrick Kameāloha, played by Wes Tian.
“When I auditioned for this role and found out that it was filming in Hawai‘i, it was
too good
Viewers, who tune in for Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.’s second episode tonight (Sept. 15) might also recognize another familiar face in patriarch Benny Kameāloha, por-
The similarities contin- ue in the show’s family dynamics, too. The fic- tional Kameālohas fea- ture an Asian father (Lee) and haole mother (Dr. Clara Hannon played by Kathleen Rose Perkins) and three kids of mixed descent — similar to that of Sato’s own family.
trayed by Pearl City High grad Jason Scott Lee.
“He plays my dad, and he’s such a legend to me,” Sato says. “I’ ve
SEE PAGE 21
The fictional Kameāloha family includes oldest brother Kai (played by Matt Sato), mom Dr. Clara Hannon (Kathleen Rose Perkins), teen medical prodigy Lahela (Peyton Elizabeth Lee), dad Benny (Jason Scott Lee) and youngest sibling Brian Patrick (Wes Tian). PHOTO COURTESY MATT SATO