Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Mortal Kombat’s Shang Tsung Actor, Dies at 75

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, the Tokyo-born actor best known for his role as Shang Tsung in the Mortal Kombat film series, has passed away at the age of 75.

According to Deadline, Tagawa died in Santa Barbara, California, surrounded by family, following complications from a stroke.

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, iconic Shang Tsung actor from Mortal Kombat, has died at age 75.

Tagawa’s career spanned nearly four decades, beginning with his breakout role in Big Trouble in Little China (1986). By the late 80s and 90s, he had become a familiar face in Hollywood blockbusters, appearing in films such as Licence to Kill, Planet of the Apes, Elektra, and Memoirs of a Geisha.

However, it was his portrayal of the sinister sorcerer Shang Tsung in the 1995 Mortal Kombat movie that cemented his place in pop culture. His chilling delivery of the line “Your soul is mine!” became iconic, resonating with fans for decades and later reprised in Mortal Kombat: Annihilation and Mortal Kombat 11.

His final credited role was voicing Eiji the Swordmaker in Netflix’s acclaimed animated series Blue Eye Samurai.

Tributes have poured in from across the entertainment industry. Ed Boon, co-creator of Mortal Kombat and chief at NetherRealm Studios, honored Tagawa on social media, saying, “We lost a legend today. Cary was one of a kind. He combined danger, swagger, and athleticism to his roles and will always be remembered as the man who first brought Shang Tsung to life on film. Rest in Peace. Your soul is eternal.”

Producer Todd Garner, who worked on the 2021 Mortal Kombat movie, also expressed his sadness, calling Tagawa a “great man and great actor” who will be missed.

Tagawa’s journey to acting was unconventional. Raised in the U.S. South while his father served in the military, he initially worked as a farmer, limo driver, and photojournalist before pursuing acting in his mid-30s. His mother, a stage actress in Japan, had once discouraged him from entering the profession due to limited opportunities for Asian actors. Yet Tagawa defied those odds, carving out his own career path.

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa will be remembered not only for his unforgettable performances but also for his dedication to his craft and his ability to bring authenticity to every role he played.