Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa Dies in Santa Barbara at 75

Death and Confirmation

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa died on Thursday in Santa Barbara, California, from complications due to a stroke, at age 75. He died surrounded by his family, and the death was confirmed by his manager, Margie Weiner, on Thursday.

Career Highlights

Tagawa was a Tokyo-born actor whose work includes the Oscar-winning film The Last Emperor (1987). He also appeared in Pearl Harbor, Planet of the Apes, and License to Kill.

Early Life and Family Background

Tagawa was raised mostly in the US South. His Hawaii-born father was assigned to US mainland Army bases, and he lived in Honolulu and on the Hawaiian island of Kauai for a while. His parents named him after Cary Grant, and his brother after Gregory Peck. His mother, Ayako, had been a stage actor in Japan.

Acting Career Beginnings

Tagawa began an acting career at age 36 after working as a celery farmer, limo driver, pizza supply truck driver, and photojournalist.

Memoirs of a Geisha

He played the Baron in Memoirs of a Geisha, a 2005 movie based on the bestselling novel.

Ninjah Sportz and Collaborations

Tagawa developed a system called Ninjah Sportz, which incorporated martial arts as a training and healing tool. He worked with professional athletes such as World Boxing Council light flyweight champion Brian Viloria and advised members of the University of Hawaii football team.

Legal Matter

In 2008, Tagawa pleaded guilty in a Honolulu court to a petty misdemeanor charge of harassing a girlfriend. The girlfriend had bruises to her legs.

Attorney Statement

His attorney said he took full responsibility for the case from the beginning and made no excuses.