Mortal Kombat's Shang Tsung, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Dead at 75
The actor who brought the iconic villain Shang Tsung to life has left an indelible mark on Hollywood. From James Bond to epic fantasies, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa's powerful presence graced the screen for decades. His journey from Tokyo to American film sets was as remarkable as his roles.
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, the actor celebrated for his unforgettable portrayal of the sorcerer in the film adaptation of the popular video game, has passed away. He was 75. The performer's death on December 4th in Santa Barbara, California, was attributed to complications following a stroke. He was with his family and friends in his final moments.
A Storied Career
Tagawa's journey in the film industry began in 1987 with a part in Bernardo Bertolucci's Academy Award-winning picture, The Last Emperor. Just two years later, he landed a significant role in the James Bond classic Licence to Kill. His career gained further momentum with Rising Sun, paving the way for his most defining performance in the 1995 blockbuster based on the fighting game franchise.
He would later revisit this character in various films and television shows. A notable later role came in 2015 with the hit Prime series, The Man in the High Castle. His final credited work was in the 2023 adult animated series, Blue Eye Samarai.
A Unique Path in Hollywood
Born in Tokyo in 1950, Tagawa's early life was shaped by his family's move to the United States. His Hawaiian-born father served in the U.S. military, and the family relocated when he was young. In a 2015 interview with The AV Club, he reflected on his upbringing: “I’ve had a slightly different experience than most Asian and Asian-American actors in Hollywood. I was born in Tokyo, left when I was 5, and was raised in the U.S. on a U.S. Army post during the 1950s and 1960s, at a time when it wasn’t real popular to be Japanese—because of the war, of course—and really had to sort of roll my own reality and make some decisions at a very young age about how I wanted to proceed in what was a… complicated experiment.”
Reflections and Remembrance
His manager, Margie Weiner, confirmed his passing in a heartfelt statement. She wrote: “Cary was a rare soul: generous, thoughtful, and endlessly committed to his craft.” The tribute continued, “His loss is immeasurable. My heart is with his family, friends, and all who loved him.”
Tagawa himself spoke about the profound impact of his first major film role, saying of his work on The Last Emperor, “It was mind boggling. You know, to suddenly be working with one of the top-10 directors in the world, plus the film was in China, I almost blurted out, ‘How much do I have to pay?’ It was just like a dream come true. That was an amazing experience.” He is survived by his wife, Sally Phillips; his children, Calen, Byrnne, and Cana; and two grandchildren, River and Thea Clayton.