By Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa has always stood out to me in film and television. With over 140 roles and likely many more, his presence alone signals quality. No matter the budget, when he’s on screen, you know you’re watching something worth paying attention to.
Everyone noticed how he carried himself, spoke, and moved with purpose on screen. His performances showed a deep respect for the craft and a commitment to discipline that shaped his villain characters. His career stands as a reminder that influence grows when an actor treats every moment as an opportunity to leave a mark.
Early Age
Cary was born in Tokyo on September 27, 1950. The son of Japanese Takarazuka actress Mariko Hata and a Japanese-American father who served in the United States Army. His mother tongues were English and Japanese, but he also spoke some Russian, Korean, and Spanish. His family finally settled in Southern California, where he began acting while attending High School.
He spent parts of his childhood in Japan, Hawaii, and various countries. Living between cultures gave him a wide lens on people and identity that you can see that mix in the roles he chose. He carried both sides of his heritage with confidence and used it to bring depth to characters who stood at the intersection of cultures.
Film career
Cary started his film career in 1986 with Big Trouble in Little China (1986) as Wing Kong Man and appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) as the Mandarin Bailiff.
But soon he gained widespread recognition when he was cast as the Eunuch Chang in The Last Emperor (1987). In 1989, he appeared as an undercover agent for the Hong Kong Narcotics Board in the James Bond film Licence to Kill.
He continued to establish his presence in action cinema in 1991, starring as yakuza boss Yoshida alongside Dolph Lundgren and Brandon Lee in Showdown in Little Tokyo. That same year, he played Kai, an associate of Korean mafia families, in The Perfect Weapon, sharing the screen with James Hong, Mako Iwamatsu, and Jeff Speakman.
In 1993, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa appeared alongside Sean Connery in Rising Sun, portraying Eddie Sakamura. He later worked with Chuck Norris on Walker, Texas Ranger and appeared in the Babylon 5 (1993) TV series.
But to the most of action fans he became widely recognized for his role as Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat (1995) where he brought a chilling presence, blending charisma and menace, creating a villain that remains iconic in gaming and film culture.
Fifteen years later, in 2011, Cary reprised his role as Shang Tsung in the Mortal Kombat: Legacy (2011) TV series, bringing renewed depth and continuity to the iconic villain.
Nine years later, in 2020, he returned to the franchise as the voice of Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath (2020) and Mortal Kombat 11: Ultimate (2020).
In the early 2000s, Cary delivered more memorable performances in major films. He played David Chan in The Art of War (2000), Genda in Pearl Harbor (2001), and Krull in Planet of the Apes (2001), and later appeared as Roshi in Elektra (2005) and The Baron in Memoirs of a Geisha (2005).
He continued delivering strong performances in the 2010s. He portrayed Shogun Tsunayoshi in 47 Ronin (2013) alongside Keanu Reeves, bringing authority and gravitas, and played Nobusuke Tagomi in The Man in the High Castle (2015) TV series, adding depth and nuance to the alternate-history narrative.
Martial arts experience
Cary began martial arts training with Kendo in junior high. At 21, he studied traditional Japanese Karate at the University of Southern California. A year later, he moved to Japan to train under Master Nakayama with the J.K.A. While a skilled fighter, he rejected the purely competitive focus, developing his own approach centered on breathing, energy, philosophy, and science.
In the 1980s, Tagawa created Chuu-Shin, a hybrid of martial arts and healing known as “Martial Alchemy.” He continued to practice and refine this technique, blending physical discipline with spiritual and energetic principles.
Thank You Mr. Tagawa
Mr. Tagawa’s work shaped my own appreciation for action cinema. His villains weren’t just intimidating – they were layered, compelling, and unforgettable. He brought a unique blend of charisma, precision, and intensity to every role, making each character feel real and memorable. Watching him command the screen was always a pleasure, whether in a blockbuster like Mortal Kombat or a smaller, nuanced role in Rising Sun. No matter which movie I watched, his presence elevated the story, drawing me into the action and the drama. His performances turned ordinary villains into iconic figures that linger long after the credits roll.
I’m sorry our interview never took place. You will always be remembered, sir.
