Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, the acclaimed actor best known for bringing the villainous Shang Tsung to life in Mortal Kombat, has passed away at 75. According to TMZ, he died on Thursday, December 4, 2025, due to complications from a stroke, surrounded by his family.
Born on September 27, 1950, in Tokyo, Japan, Tagawa moved to the United States as a child and grew up in Southern California. His father was a Japanese-American Army serviceman, and his mother was a Takarazuka theater actress. Tagawa discovered his love for acting in high school and later honed his craft at the University of Southern California.
He gained international recognition with his role as Eunuch Chang in Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor (1987), which won nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture. He became a cultural icon with his portrayal of Shang Tsung in the 1995 Mortal Kombat film, a role that continues to resonate with fans.
Tagawa is survived by his three children from his marriage to Sally Phillips, whom he married in 1984 and divorced in 2014.
Fans and notable figures, including Ed Boon, Margie Weiner, and Penny Vizcarra, have paid tribute to Tagawa, celebrating his talent, influence, and enduring legacy in film and gaming culture.
