Patti Yasutake was an American actress, born on September 6, 1953, in Gardena, California. She was best known for her portrayal of Nurse Alyssa Ogawa in Star Trek: The Next Generation, appearing in 16 episodes throughout the series. She reprised the role in Star Trek Generations (1994) and Star Trek: First Contact (1996), making her one of the most recognizable recurring characters in the Star Trek universe

     Yasutake began her acting career in theater, later transitioning to television with guest roles in T.J. Hooker, Boston Legal, and Cold Case. She was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female in The Wash (1988).

     She was the sister of Irene Hirano, a prominent nonprofit leader, and resided in Hollywood, California. Yasutake passed away on August 5, 2024, at the age of 70, due to a rare form of T-cell lymphoma.