Thescreescore – The world of cinema and gaming mourns the loss of Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, the iconic actor best known for his portrayal of Shang Tsung in the Mortal Kombat franchise. Tagawa passed away on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at the age of 75, due to complications following a stroke, as confirmed by Deadline. He was surrounded by his loving family at the time of his passing.
Tagawa’s career spanned decades, but it was his role as the menacing sorcerer Shang Tsung that cemented his place in pop culture history. He first embodied the character in the 1995 Mortal Kombat film, a role he reprised in Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997), the Mortal Kombat: Legacy series (2013), and a 2015 episode of Mortal Kombat X: Generations. His dedication to the character extended to voice acting, lending his voice to Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat 11 (2019) and the role-playing game Mortal Kombat: Onslaught (2023).
The original Mortal Kombat film, directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, was a box office smash, grossing over $100 million against a $20 million budget. Tagawa attributed the film’s success to the timing of its release, coinciding with the growing popularity of the Mortal Kombat video game franchise. He noted that the games had already established a strong following, which undoubtedly contributed to the film’s appeal.
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Tagawa also lauded Anderson’s influence on the film’s distinctive visual style and music. He highlighted the soundtrack’s high-energy, driving metal music, which perfectly complemented the on-screen action. "He was the first one in martial arts history to apply such music – really upbeat, driving metal music. You couldn’t sit still when you heard the music. And it matched the action so well," Tagawa said.
Beyond Mortal Kombat, Tagawa showcased his versatility in other video game adaptations, including playing the villainous Heihachi Mishima in Tekken. However, Tekken did not achieve the same level of success as Mortal Kombat.
Tagawa’s breakthrough role came in Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1987 epic The Last Emperor, which won an Academy Award. He played Chang, the emperor’s chauffeur, a minor but significant character in the film. His performance in The Last Emperor opened doors for him in Hollywood and beyond.
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa’s contributions to film and gaming will be remembered for years to come. His portrayal of Shang Tsung remains an iconic performance, and his presence will be deeply missed by fans worldwide.
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