Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, ‘Mortal Kombat’ and ‘Man in the High Castle’ Actor, Dead at 75
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, the Tokyo-born actor whose commanding presence and iconic portrayals made him one of Hollywood’s most recognizable villains, has died at the age of 75.
Tagawa, known for his memorable role as the soul-stealing sorcerer Shang Tsung in the 1995 film Mortal Kombat, built a decades-long career spanning film, television, and voice acting. His deep voice, disciplined intensity, and magnetic screen presence made him a go-to performer for complex antagonists and powerful authority figures.
Born in Tokyo and raised partly in various parts of the world due to his father’s military career, Tagawa later pursued acting in the United States, where he quickly became a standout in action and drama films. He appeared in The Last Emperor, Rising Sun, Licence to Kill, Planet of the Apes, Memoirs of a Geisha, and dozens of other titles across Hollywood and international cinema.
In recent years, Tagawa earned acclaim for his role as Trade Minister Nobusuke Tagomi in Amazon’s The Man in the High Castle. His portrayal was praised for its depth, restraint, and emotional complexity, introducing him to a new generation of viewers.
Beyond acting, Tagawa also practiced martial arts, contributed to several video game projects, and remained involved in cultural outreach spanning Japan, Hawaii, and Russia.
Fans and colleagues are mourning the loss of a performer who brought dignity, gravitas, and unforgettable energy to every character he portrayed. Tributes continue to pour in across social media, celebrating his legacy as one of the most distinctive actors of his era.
Tagawa is survived by his family. Details regarding funeral arrangements were not immediately available.
