One of Superstore’s funniest actor, Jon Miyahara has passed away

Superstore, the NBC workplace comedy that ran from 2015 to 2021, had its share of standout characters. Some were loud and full of energy. Others, like Brett Kobashigawa, stood out for the opposite reason. Played by Jon Miyahara, Brett was the quiet Cloud 9 employee who managed to leave an impression without speaking much at all. News of Miyahara’s death at 83 brought attention back to one of the show’s most understated performances.

Brett was never meant to drive the plot, yet his steady presence across almost the entire run gave the series a subtle balance. In a workplace full of chaos, arguments and strange situations, he stayed calm, almost motionless, watching it all unfold. That contrast became part of what made Superstore’s humor so distinctive.

The announcement of his death

Colton Dunn, who played Garrett, shared the news of Miyahara’s death on Instagram. In his post, he spoke about how Miyahara had this rare ability to say plenty without a single word, just through a look.

"(Jon) Miyahara aka Brett from superstore has sadly passed away. John was a really awesome guy and as a performer could speak volumes with just a look," he wrote. "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. Rest in Peace John. "

Over the run of the series, Miyahara showed up in 105 of its 113 episodes. Even with a few absences, his face was one of the most familiar sights in the Cloud 9 aisles.

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Memorable moments in the series

The tornado episode at the end of season two remains the most talked about. Brett’s short reaction, just two words: "Oh sh*t", stood out because it was so rare to hear him speak. That scene led to a storyline where his co-workers thought he had been lost in the storm. They held a memorial, complete with Sandra performing Creep by Radiohead. When season three opened, Brett simply returned to work, calm as ever, as if nothing had happened.

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Career and appearances

Jonathan Yasushi Miyahara was born in Los Angeles on August 8, 1941. His acting work outside Superstore was limited, but included a brief appearance in American Auto, a sitcom also created by Justin Spitzer. Even with few roles, his time as Brett became his most lasting screen credit.

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Reaction and tributes

Following the announcement, tributes came from several cast members. Kelly Stables called him always sweet. Irene White described him as an incredible man. Michael Bunin remembered the many days of work and good conversations on set. Their comments reflected both the on-screen and off-screen impact he had.

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Brett’s role in Superstore

Brett often functioned as a steady background presence. While other characters moved quickly from one plot to another, his stillness created a visual pause. That made his rare lines or reactions more noticeable. It was a small but consistent contribution to the tone of the series, one that audiences came to expect.

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Timeline overview

2015: Superstore premiered on NBC with Miyahara as part of the cast;

2015 to 2021: Appeared in all but eight episodes out of 113;

End of season two: Featured in the tornado storyline with his best-known line;

2021: Series ended after six seasons;

Later: Short appearance in American Auto;

7 August 2025: Death confirmed at age 83.

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Final notes

Jon Miyahara’s role in Superstore proved that a character does not need many lines to be memorable. Through timing, expression and consistency, Brett became part of the show’s identity. News of his passing has brought renewed appreciation for those quiet moments that balanced the louder comedy, showing how subtle performances can shape the memory of a series.