Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, ‘Mortal Kombat’ Star and Martial Arts Icon, Dies at 75

 

“Mortal Kombat” Star Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa Dies at 75

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, the actor best known for playing Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat, has died at the age of 75 due to complications from a stroke. He passed away on Thursday, Dec. 4, in Santa Barbara, his spokesperson Penny Vizcarra confirmed to USA TODAY.

Born in Tokyo, Tagawa moved to the United States at a young age. He studied traditional Japanese karate at the University of Southern California and later trained at the Japan Karate Association, eventually creating his own martial arts style called Chun-Shin, which he taught to others.

His martial arts skills helped him in Hollywood. Tagawa appeared in the 1995 Mortal Kombat movie, as well as TV shows and video games based on the franchise. He also acted in movies like Pearl Harbor, Planet of the Apes, 47 Ronin, Elektra, Memoirs of a Geisha, Rising Sun (1993), and Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991).

In 1987, he was part of the cast of Bernardo Bertolucci’s “The Last Emperor”, which won nine Oscars, including Best Picture.

Tagawa’s final major role was in the Amazon series The Man in the High Castle (2015), where he played Nobusuke Tagomi, the Trade Minister of the Pacific States of America.

He lived in Hawaii with his wife Sally and raised three children: Calen, Brynne, and Cana. He also had two grandchildren, River and Thea Clayton.

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa is remembered for his martial arts expertise, memorable performances, and contributions to film and television over several decades.

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