Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, known for ‘Mortal Kombat’ and decades of villain roles, dies at 75

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I’m really saddened to hear about the passing of Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa. For over forty years, he was a truly memorable presence in action movies – a fantastic actor who could convey both incredible power and a quiet, elegant threat with just a look. He was 75.

Actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, famous for his work in movies like “Mortal Kombat,” “License to Kill,” and the series “The Man in the High Castle,” passed away Thursday due to complications from a stroke. He died in Santa Barbara with his family by his side, according to a representative.

Ryo Tagawa grew up in Japan and spent part of his childhood on American military bases. He later moved to Los Angeles and began teaching a unique martial art he developed called Chu Shin. In 1987, film director Bernardo Bertolucci spotted him and gave him a role in the movie “The Last Emperor.”

After appearing in the acclaimed Oscar-winning movie, he became a well-known actor and went on to star in over 30 films, frequently displaying his talent for action and fight scenes.

Tagawa built a successful career in Hollywood, often playing sophisticated and clever villains.

Margie Weiner, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa’s manager for many years, shared that their professional relationship blossomed into a deep family connection. She described him as a uniquely kind and dedicated actor, and stated his passing is a profound loss. Her thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans.

He became widely known for playing the villain Shang Tsung in the 1995 movie “Mortal Kombat.” His performance, particularly the iconic line “Your soul is mine,” gained a cult following. He later revisited the role in the 2013 web series “Mortal Kombat: Legacy” and provided the voice for Shang Tsung in the video game “Mortal Kombat 11,” reaching a new audience of fans.

He gained significant recognition for his role as Nobusuke Tagomi, the trade minister, in Amazon’s “The Man in the High Castle.” He played a central character throughout the show’s three seasons, which premiered in 2015.

Off-camera, Tagawa was a kind and inspiring teacher, always supporting and encouraging those starting out in acting and martial arts.

Penny Vizcarra, CEO of PV Public Relations, described Cary as both a gifted performer and a kind person. She said the entire team at her firm enjoyed working with him and valued his respectful and loving treatment of others.

Tagawa is remembered by his children, Calen, Byrnne, and Cana, as well as his grandchildren, River and Thea Clayton.

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2025-12-05 08:01