The entertainment world is in mourning following the death of actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, best known for his iconic role as Shang Tsung in the 1995 Mortal Kombat film. He was 75.
TMZ reports that Tagawa passed away on Thursday, December 4, 2025, from complications related to a stroke. He died peacefully with his children and family by his side.
Born in Tokyo on September 27, 1950, Tagawa relocated to Southern California as a child.
His father was a Japanese-American U.S. Army veteran, and his mother was a former Takarazuka actress, a background that exposed him to performance and storytelling early on.
He fell in love with acting during high school and went on to study at the University of Southern California, launching a career that would span decades and captivate audiences worldwide.
While Mortal Kombat made him a global fan favorite, Tagawa had already cemented his place in cinematic history.
In 1987, he played Eunuch Chang in Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor, which swept the Oscars with nine wins, including Best Picture.
Tagawa married Sally Phillips in 1984, and though they divorced in 2014, the couple had three children together who survive him.
Tributes have flooded social media from colleagues, gaming fans, and film lovers alike. Industry figures including Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon, along with actors Margie Weiner and Penny Vizcarra, have shared emotional messages honoring Tagawa’s talent, warmth, and lasting impact.
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa leaves behind a powerful legacy, one defined by unforgettable performances and a deep connection with audiences around the globe.
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