Veteran actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa has died at age 75 after suffering complications from a stroke. The Tokyo-born actor, whose long career spanned decades and included iconic roles in films and television, passed away on December 4, 2025, at his home in Santa Barbara, California, surrounded by his family.
Tagawa rose to international fame with his breakout role in the Oscar-winning film The Last Emperor (1987), before going on to portray some of cinema’s most memorable villains. He became a cult icon for his chilling performance as sorcerer Shang Tsung in the 1995 film Mortal Kombat — a role he reprised in later adaptations and video games.
Beyond Mortal Kombat, Tagawa showcased his range in a variety of major films, including Pearl Harbor, Memoirs of a Geisha, and Planet of the Apes, as well as in the acclaimed series The Man in the High Castle.
His manager described him as “a rare soul: generous, thoughtful, and endlessly committed to his craft.” Tagawa’s death marks the end of an era for many fans of action films, video-game adaptations, and cinematic villains — and he leaves behind a legacy of unforgettable performances and decades of contributions to global cinema.
He is survived by his wife and family. Tributes have been pouring in from fans, colleagues, and industry insiders who remember him not only for his on-screen menace, but also his kindness, mentorship, and dedication off-screen.