Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, the Japanese-born actor who achieved fame for his iconic portrayal of Shang Tsung in the "Mortal Kombat" film and later roles across Hollywood, died December 4, 2025. He died of complications from a stroke at his home in Santa Barbara, California, surrounded by family.

Born September 27, 1950, in Tokyo, Tagawa moved to the United States as a child when his father, a U.S. Army serviceman, was posted to various bases. He spent much of his early life in the American South before his family ultimately settled in Southern California. He attended high school there and later studied at the University of Southern California.

Tagawa's big break came in 1987 when he was cast by director Bernardo Bertolucci in the Oscar-winning film "The Last Emperor." His imposing physical presence and martial-arts background – he had studied since childhood – helped set the stage for a long career in which he was often cast in villainous or intensity-driven roles.

Over the decades, he appeared in dozens of films, including major productions such as the James Bond film "Licence to Kill," the war epic "Pearl Harbor," and the 2001 fantasy/sci-fi re-imagining of "Planet of the Apes." On television, he had a recurring role in "Nash Bridges," played a beloved grandfather in the Disney Channel movie "Johnny Tsunami," and gained renewed acclaim for his role as Trade Minister Nobusuke Tagomi in the series "The Man in the High Castle." His many other TV appearances included "Miami Vice," "Heroes," "Hawaii Five-0," and the 2018 reboot of "Lost in Space."

Yet Tagawa's name will always be most strongly associated with the shape-shifting sorcerer Shang Tsung - his performance in the 1995 "Mortal Kombat" film helped bring the video game franchise to broader mainstream audiences, and he reprised that character in later adaptations, including the 2013 web series "Mortal Kombat: Legacy" and the 2019 video game "Mortal Kombat 11." His interpretation left a lasting imprint on pop culture.

Tagawa's legacy rests on more than villainous charisma: through decades of work in film and television, often navigating limited opportunities for Asian actors, he broke through typecasting to emerge as a versatile performer. His roles spanned historical dramas, action films, war movies and genre work, leaving behind a catalogue that reflects both his range and his resilience.

He is survived by his wife, Sally; their children, Calen, Byrnne, and Cana; and his grandchildren, River and Thea Clayton. three children and grandchildren.

By Legacy News Staff

(Image: SGranitz/WireImage)