Tribute to Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, a widely recognized actor famed for his roles in Mortal Kombat, The Last Emperor, Memoirs of a Geisha, and The Man in the High Castle, passed away on Thursday in Santa Barbara at the age of 75.
Cause of Death
Tagawa succumbed to complications from a stroke early that morning, with his children by his side. His family has confirmed the news to Deadline.
Iconic Role as Shang Tsung
Best remembered by many as the villainous sorcerer Shang Tsung from the Mortal Kombat franchise, Tagawa first portrayed this character in the 1995 film adaptation and appeared again in its 1997 sequel, Mortal Kombat Annihilation. He later reprised the role in the 2013 series Mortal Kombat: Legacy and 2015’s Mortal Kombat X: Generations, and voiced Shang Tsung in 2019’s Mortal Kombat 11 and the 2023 game Mortal Kombat: Onslaught.
Film Success
The first Mortal Kombat film grossed over $100 million, significantly exceeding its $20 million budget. Tagawa noted that the film’s success coincided with the popularity of the video game, crediting its impact to the franchise’s existing fanbase and the vision of director Paul W.S. Anderson.
Notable Projects and Career Highlights
Tagawa’s breakout role was as Chang in The Last Emperor (1987), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. He went on to feature in major films intertwining Asian and Western cultures, including License to Kill, Rising Sun, and Pearl Harbor. A martial artist, he also had significant roles in video game adaptations like Tekken.
Personal Background
Born in Tokyo, Tagawa began martial arts training in Kendo during junior high before moving to Fort Bragg, NC. He emphasized his unique experience growing up as a Japanese individual in the southern U.S. during the 1950s. By 21, he specialized in traditional Japanese karate and later created his own martial arts system.
Final Years and Legacy
Tagawa’s most recent major role was as Nobusuke Tagomi in Amazon’s The Man in the High Castle, where he resonated with his character’s experiences. He is remembered not only for his notable roles but also for his extensive career spanning over 150 projects across film, television, and video games. He is survived by his wife Sally and their three children, Calen, Brynne, and Cana, along with two grandchildren.
