Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, ‘Mortal Kombat’ actor, passes away

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, the prolific actor known for his roles in film, television, and video games, has died at 75.

He passed away Thursday in Santa Barbara due to complications from a stroke, surrounded by his family.

Tagawa is best remembered as Shang Tsung in the Mortal Kombat franchise, first appearing in the 1995 film and reprising the role in adaptations including Mortal Kombat Annihilation, the 2013 series Mortal Kombat: Legacy, and Mortal Kombat 11.

He also gained recognition for his breakout role in Bernardo Bertolucci’s Best Picture-winning The Last Emperor (1987) and appeared in films such as License to Kill, Rising Sun, Snow Falling on Cedars, Pearl Harbor, Planet of the Apes, Memoirs of a Geisha, and 47 Ronin, often showcasing his martial arts skills.

On television, Tagawa appeared in The Man in the High Castle, Nash Bridges, Hawaii, Revenge, and Lost in Space, and voiced characters in video games including Soldier Boyz and World of Warcraft: Legion.

Born in Tokyo and raised in North Carolina, Tagawa drew on his cross-cultural experiences throughout his career. He lived on Kauai with his wife, Sally, and is survived by three children and two grandchildren.

Tagawa’s career, spanning more than four decades and 150 projects, leaves a lasting legacy in film, television, and gaming.