Hollywood star Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa has died at teh age of 75.
The Tokyo-born actor died surrounded by family in Santa Barbara after suffering a stroke, his manager Margie Weiner confirmed on December 5, 2024.
A statement from the family read: “cary was a rare soul: generous, thoughtful, and endlessly committed to his craft.”
“His loss is immeasurable. My heart is with his family, friends, and all who loved him.”
Early Career and Breakthrough Role
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Tagawa’s acting career gained notable momentum in 1987 with his appearance in Bernardo Bertolucci’s Academy Award-winning film,
The Last Emperor
.
He subsequently appeared in films such as
Pearl Harbor
and the James Bond film
License to Kill
.
Iconic Role in Mortal Kombat
Tagawa is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Shang Tsung in the 1995 film
Mortal Kombat
.
The casting directors were notably impressed by Tagawa’s dedication, as he attended his audition fully costumed and performed his lines while standing on a chair.
Life and background
Tagawa was primarily raised in the United States due to his father’s assignments with the U.S. Army. His father was born in Hawaii and stationed on the mainland. He spent time living in Honolulu and on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.
He embarked on his acting career at the age of 36, after working various jobs including as a celery farmer, limousine driver, pizza supply truck driver, and photojournalist.
He also played Heihachi Mishima in the film adaptation of the video game franchise
Tekken
. in 2006, he provided the voice for Brushogun in
Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo
.
Legal Issues
In 2008,Tagawa pleaded guilty to a petty misdemeanor charge of harassment in Honolulu. Police reported that his girlfriend had sustained bruises to her legs. His lawyer stated that Tagawa accepted full obligation for his actions.
Personal Life
Tagawa married Sally in 1984, and they had three children: a son named Calen, and two daughters, Byrnne and Cana.
This story originally appeared on
The Sun U.S.
and is republished here with permission.