News Updates: Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, the Tokyo-born actor whose long career included memorable turns in Mortal Kombat, The Last Emperor and Memoirs of a Geisha, has died at the age of 75. Tagawa passed away in Santa Barbara from complications following a stroke, his manager confirmed. AP News+1

Tagawa’s screen presence — equal parts gravitas and menace — made him a go-to performer for roles that required physicality and dramatic weight. He first began attracting attention after a small but notable role in Bernardo Bertolucci’s Oscar-winning The Last Emperor (1987), and later appeared in mainstream films including Pearl Harbor, Planet of the Apes and the 1995 Mortal Kombat feature, where his portrayal of Shang Tsung became iconic for generations of fans. Over the years he also returned to the role in various franchise projects and continued to work across film, television and games. People.com+1

Born in Tokyo and raised largely in the United States, Tagawa followed an unconventional path into acting — launching his career at age 36 after stints as a farmer, driver and photojournalist. He was also deeply involved in martial-arts training and developed a system called Ninjah Sportz that combined conditioning with therapeutic movement, working with athletes and sports teams. AP News+1

While celebrated for his craft, Tagawa’s life also included difficult moments: in 2008 he pleaded guilty to a petty misdemeanor harassment charge in Honolulu, a matter he publicly acknowledged at the time. Despite ups and downs, colleagues and collaborators remember him for his commitment to acting and his efforts to expand opportunities for Asian performers in Hollywood. AP News+1

Tagawa is survived by his family. Fans and industry figures have already begun sharing tributes online, reflecting on a career that spanned more than four decades and countless supporting roles that often elevated the projects he joined. People.com+1

TL;DR: Actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, known for Mortal Kombat and The Last Emperor, died at 75 in Santa Barbara from stroke complications. He began acting at 36 and built a wide-ranging career across film, TV and games. AP News+1

Notes & Sources (most important)

Key reporting used to prepare this post:

• Associated Press report on Tagawa’s death and biography. AP News
• People magazine obituary and career summary. People.com
• Entertainment Weekly and Deadline coverage of his passing and notable roles. EW.com
• Newsweek background on career and cause details. Newsweek