Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, a Tokyo-born actor famous for his appearances in the movie “Mortal Kombat” and TV show “The Man in the High Castle,” has passed away at the age of 75. He died in Santa Barbara, Calif., surrounded by his family due to complications following a stroke, as confirmed by his manager, Margie Weiner.
Describing Tagawa as a rare soul with a deep commitment to his craft, Weiner expressed her condolences, stating, “His loss is immeasurable. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and all those who cherished him.”
Tagawa’s acting career took off in 1987 with his role in Bernardo Bertolucci’s acclaimed film “The Last Emperor.” Over the years, he featured in various films like “Pearl Harbor,” “Planet of the Apes,” and “Licence to Kill.”
Raised predominantly in the U.S. South, Tagawa spent time in Honolulu and the Hawaiian island of Kauai, where his father, born in Hawaii, served on U.S. mainland army bases. In an interview with Honolulu Magazine in 2004, Tagawa revealed that his parents named him after Cary Grant and his brother after Gregory Peck.
Despite his mother’s background as a stage actor in Japan, Tagawa shared that she discouraged him from pursuing acting due to the limited opportunities for Asians at the time. Notably, Tagawa transitioned to acting at 36 after various other jobs, including farming celery, driving a limo, and working as a photojournalist.
In the movie “Memoirs of a Geisha,” Tagawa portrayed the Baron, a character from the popular novel depicting a girl’s journey from poverty in a Japanese fishing village to elite society. Addressing criticism of the film’s authenticity, Tagawa defended it, noting that an American production could not fully capture Japanese nuances and culture.
In 2008, Tagawa admitted guilt in a Honolulu court for a misdemeanor charge related to harassing a girlfriend, with reports of bruises on her legs. His lawyer emphasized Tagawa’s acceptance of responsibility for the incident without making excuses for his actions.
Throughout his career, Tagawa often portrayed villainous characters on screen, showcasing his versatility and talent as an actor.