Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa Dies at 75: Mortal Kombat Actor Legacy & Life Story
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, known for Mortal Kombat and The Man in the High Castle, has died at age 75. Read his life story, career journey, movies, and legacy in Hollywood
Santa Barbara, California — Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, the Tokyo born actor who many peoples know from the movie Mortal Kombat and the popular TV show The Man in the High Castle, has died at age 75. His manager Margie Weiner say he passed in Santa Barbara, and family was around him in last moment after complications from stroke.
His manager say he was a rare type person, always thinking deep, very generous and always doing hard work
for his art. She say his loss is very big and many fans, friends and family feeling it heavy in heart.
Early Beginning of His Acting Journey
Tagawa acting career in Hollywood really got start in 1987 when he act in Bernardo Bertolucci’s Oscar winning film The Last Emperor. After that movie, he come in many big films like Pearl Harbor, Planet of the Apes, and License to Kill. His face become recognizble to US audience for strong screen performance and unique presence.
Even he born in Tokyo, he grow mostly in the South part of United States because his father, who is Hawaii born, was in the US Army and posted in many mainland bases. Tagawa also spend time living in Honolulu and on the island of Kauai.
Family Story and Start in Acting
His father meet Tagawa’s mother Ayako in Japan when he was stationed there. In one interview, Tagawa share interesting story that his parents name him after Cary Grant, and his brother name after Gregory Peck. His mother was also a stage actor in Japan, and she told him not to be actor because at that time good roles for Asian actors in Hollywood was very less.
But Tagawa still follow his passion. He start his acting career at age 36, after doing many other jobs in life like:
- celery farmer
- limo driver
- pizza supply truck driver
- photojournalist
His View on Asian Actors in Hollywood
In interview he say the situation for Asian actors is getting better, but still not change enough. More exposure is there now, but opportunity still not grow in same speed. He always speak very honest about diversity and representation of Hollywood. In 2005 he play The Baron in the famous movie Memoirs of a Geisha, based on the bestseller novel about a young girl journey from poverty to high society life in Japan. When some critics complain that the movie is not authentic enough, Tagawa say it is unrealistic to expect full Japanese cultural style when movie is made by American team. He remind peoples it is a movie, not documentary.
Martial Arts and Ninjah Sportz
Tagawa study many different martial arts, but he leave later because he was not so interest in fighting and heavy competition style. Instead he create his own system called Ninjah Sportz, which use martial arts more for healing and training tool, not for hurting.
With this system he work with professional athletes like World Boxing Council light flyweight champion
Brian Viloria and he also advise members of the University of Hawaii football team.
Legal Issue in 2008
In 2008, Tagawa plead guilty in Honolulu court for a petty misdemeanor charge of harassing his girlfriend. Police say she had bruises on her legs at that time. His attorney say he take full responsibility from start of case and not give excuses.
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa leave behind a big legacy in Hollywood. He help break many barriers for Asian actors and create characters that many fans in US and whole world will remember. From his iconic villain role in Mortal Kombat to serious dramatic parts, his work still inspiring young actors and movie lovers.
May his soul rest in peace. His fans and family will keep his memory alive through his films and stories he leave for us.
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