Tributes and condolences flood in as the famous Mortal Kombat actor, Cary‑Hiroyuki Tagawa passes away at 75.
According to a report from TMZ, the actor passed away on Thursday, December 4, 2025, due to complications from stroke.
A recent report indicates that the actor was surrounded by his family and children when he passed away.
Cary‑Hiroyuki Tagawa’s Biography
Born on September 27, 1950, in Tokyo, Japan, Tagawa’s family moved to the United States when he was young, and he grew up in Southern California.
Early Life and Education
Tagawa’s father was a Japanese-American who served in the US Army, and his mother was a Takarazuka actress.
He began acting in high school and studied at the University of Southern California.
It’s worth noting that Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa rose to prominence with his iconic role as Shang Tsung in the 1995 film, Mortal Kombat.
However, his breakthrough came earlier, in 1987, when he played Eunuch Chang in Bernardo Bertolucci’s, The Last Emperorz a film that won nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
He is survived by his ex‑wife, Sally Phillips, the longtime partner whom he married in 1984.
However, they divorced in 2014, and they share three children.
Meanwhile, Tagawa’s death has been met with condolences and tributes from notable figures, including Ed Boon, Margie Weiner and Penny Vizcarra.