Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa Dies in Santa Barbara at 75

ACTOR CARY-HIROYUKI TAGAWA DIES AT 75 IN SANTA BARBARA
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, an actor and producer known for his work in the “Mortal Kombat” franchise, died on Thursday, December 4, 2025, in Santa Barbara, California. His spokesperson, Penny Vizcarra, confirmed that he died from complications of a stroke. He was 75 years old.

CAREER IN FILM, TELEVISION, AND VIDEO GAMES
Tagawa was widely recognized for portraying Shang Tsung in several “Mortal Kombat” projects. His work included the 1995 film adaptation as well as appearances in related television and video game productions.

In addition to the “Mortal Kombat” franchise, Tagawa appeared in numerous feature films. His credits included roles in “Pearl Harbor,” “Planet of the Apes,” “47 Ronin,” “Elektra,” and “Memoirs of a Geisha.” He acted in the 1993 action thriller “Rising Sun,” alongside Wesley Snipes and Sean Connery, and in the 1991 action crime film “Showdown in Little Tokyo,” starring Brandon Lee and Dolph Lundgren.

He was also part of the ensemble cast of Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1987 film “The Last Emperor.” The film won nine Oscars at the 60th Academy Awards in 1988, including best picture, best director, and best cinematography.

MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING AND TEACHING
Tagawa was born in Tokyo and moved to the United States at a young age. He attended the University of Southern California, where he studied traditional Japanese karate. He later returned to Japan to continue his martial arts training with the Japan Karate Association.

Over the years, Tagawa developed his own Chun-Shin martial arts style, which he taught. His martial arts skills and athletic ability contributed to his Hollywood roles, where he often integrated those abilities into his performances.

LATER WORK AND FINAL MAJOR ROLE
Tagawa’s final major screen role came in 2015 in the Amazon science fiction series “The Man in the High Castle.” In the series, which starred Rufus Sewell and Alexa Davalos, he portrayed Nobusuke Tagomi, the fictional Trade Minister of the Pacific States of America.

FAMILY AND SURVIVORS
Tagawa later moved to Hawaii with his wife, Sally, and raised their family on the island of Kauai. He is survived by his wife, their three children — Calen, Brynne, and Cana — and two grandchildren, River and Thea Clayton.