Acclaimed actor and martial artist Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, widely recognized for his iconic role as the sorcerer Shang Tsung in the Mortal Kombat franchise, passed away on Thursday, December 4, 2025. He was 75 years old.
Tagawa died in Santa Barbara, California, from complications following a stroke. His manager, Margie Weiner, confirmed that he was surrounded by his family at the time of his passing, describing him as a “rare soul” who was “endlessly committed to his craft.”
A Prolific Career and Cultural Bridge
Born in Tokyo and raised in the United States, Tagawa did not begin his acting career until age 36. He eventually became a staple of Hollywood action and drama, known for his intense screen presence and ability to bring depth to complex villains.
- Breakout & Major Films: His career gained momentum with the 1987 Oscar-winning film The Last Emperor. He later appeared in blockbusters such as License to Kill, Pearl Harbor, Planet of the Apes, and Memoirs of a Geisha.
- The Face of Mortal Kombat: Tagawa became a legend in the gaming and film community for his portrayal of Shang Tsung. His delivery of the line “Your soul is mine!” remains one of the most famous in video game movie history. He reprised the role across multiple films, TV series, and even voiced the character in the 2019 game Mortal Kombat 11.
- Television: He recently gained acclaim for his role as the thoughtful Trade Minister Nobusuke Tagomi in Amazon’s alternate-history series The Man in the High Castle.
Beyond the Screen
Tagawa was more than an actor; he was a dedicated practitioner of martial arts who developed Ninjah Sportz, a training and healing system. He served as a consultant for professional athletes and college football teams, emphasizing martial arts as a tool for physical and mental wellness rather than just combat.
In his personal life, Tagawa was a man of diverse experiences – having worked as a photojournalist and a celery farmer before finding fame.
In 2015, he converted to Eastern Orthodoxy and later acquired Russian citizenship, often speaking about the spiritual connections he felt between different cultures.
