Beloved Actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Iconic Shang Tsung in ‘Mortal Kombat,’ Passes Away at 75 from Stroke Complications

The entertainment world mourns the loss of Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, the versatile and unforgettable actor best known for his chilling portrayal of the villainous sorcerer Shang Tsung in the Mortal Kombat film franchise, who passed away peacefully at his home on December 4, 2025, at the age of 75. Tagawa died from complications following a recent stroke, as confirmed by his longtime manager, Margie Weiner.

Born on September 27, 1950, in Tokyo, Japan, to a Japanese stage actress mother and a Japanese-American U.S. Army veteran father, Tagawa spent his formative years navigating life in the American South and Hawaii. A martial arts enthusiast who trained in kendo and Shotokan karate, he honed his skills at the University of Southern California and later developed his own Chun-Shin style, which he taught throughout his life. Tagawa's journey to stardom was unconventional; after odd jobs as a celery farmer, limousine driver, and photojournalist, he entered acting at age 36, defying his mother's advice against pursuing a field with limited opportunities for Asian performers.

Tagawa's career spanned over 150 roles across film, television, and video games, captivating audiences with his commanding presence and depth. His breakthrough came in Bernardo Bertolucci's Oscar-winning The Last Emperor (1987) as the emperor's driver, followed by unforgettable turns in Rising Sun (1993) alongside Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes. But it was his magnetic villainy as Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat (1995) and its 1997 sequel that cemented his pop culture legacy, a role he reprised in the 2013 web series Mortal Kombat: Legacy and the 2019 video game Mortal Kombat 11. Fans and creators alike hailed his performance for blending menace with charisma, with Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon tweeting, "We lost a legend today. Cary brought Shang Tsung to life in ways we'll never forget."

Tagawa's filmography reads like a Hollywood hall of fame: the ruthless businessman in The Art of War (2000), the wise Baron in Memoirs of a Geisha (2005), the enigmatic Nobusuke Tagomi in Amazon's The Man in the High Castle (2015–2018)—a role he described as mirroring his own search for inner peace—and appearances in blockbusters like Pearl Harbor (2001), Planet of the Apes (2001), Elektra (2005), and 47 Ronin (2013). On television, he shone as the cunning Kam Chin in Nash Bridges and as the vengeful mentor Satoshi Takeda in Revenge. His voice work extended to animated gems like Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) and video games, including Tekken.

A father of three—Calen, Brynne, and Cana—and grandfather to River and Thea Clayton, Tagawa shared his life with his wife, Sally, on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, where he embraced his cultural roots and advocated for Asian representation in media. "Cary was more than a client; he was family," Weiner said. "His resilience, humor, and profound humanity touched everyone he met. Though he faced challenges, including racism in the Jim Crow South, he channeled them into art that inspired generations."

Tributes have poured in from peers and fans worldwide. Director Paul W.S. Anderson, who helmed the original Mortal Kombat, shared, "Cary infused Shang Tsung with a soul that made evil unforgettable. Rest in power, brother." The gaming community, in particular, has rallied with #ThankYouCary trending on X, amassing millions of posts celebrating his enduring impact.

A private memorial will be held for family and close friends in Santa Barbara. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to the Japan Karate Association or the Asian American Actors Fund to support emerging talents.

Tagawa's legacy as a trailblazer, warrior, and storyteller will live on, reminding us—as he once said—of the lizard-like adaptability that defined his extraordinary life.