Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, known for 'Mortal Kombat' and decades of villain roles, dies at 75

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, the Japanese American histrion whose almighty glare and graceful menace made him a fixture of enactment films for much than 4 decades, has died astatine 75.

Tagawa, known for his roles successful the “Mortal Kombat” films, “License to Kill” and “The Man successful the High Castle,” died Thursday of complications from a stroke, a typical confirmed to The Times. He died successful Santa Barbara portion surrounded by household members.

Tagawa was calved successful Japan and raised partially connected U.S. subject bases earlier coming to Los Angeles, wherever helium taught his ain benignant of martial arts called Chu Shin. He was discovered by Bernardo Bertolucci and formed successful “The Last Emperor,” which was released successful 1987.

His relation successful the Oscar-winning epic rapidly propelled him to fame, and helium went connected to prima successful much than 30 films, galore of which showcased his combat skills.

Tagawa became 1 of Hollywood’s astir reliable quality actors, typically formed arsenic the elegant and cunning villain.

“I had the privilege of representing Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa for galore years arsenic his agelong clip manager, but our narration grew into thing acold deeper — helium became similar family,” said manager Margie Weiner successful a statement. “Cary was a uncommon soul: generous, thoughtful, and endlessly committed to his craft. His nonaccomplishment is immeasurable. My bosom is with his family, friends, and each who loved him.”

His astir defining relation came successful the 1995 movie “Mortal Kombat,” successful which helium played the evil sorcerer Shang Tsung — a show that became a cult classical made particularly memorable by his enduring line, “Your psyche is mine.” He reprised the quality successful the 2013 tv bid “Mortal Kombat: Legacy” and voiced Tsung successful the video crippled Mortal Kombat 11, introducing his enactment to a caller procreation of fans.

He aboriginal stared arsenic commercialized curate Nobusuke Tagomi successful Amazon’s “The Man successful the High Castle,” a show that earned him immoderate of the strongest captious announcement of his career. He was a pb quality for 3 seasons of the show, which came retired successful 2015.

Away from the screen, Tagawa was known arsenic a warm, charismatic mentor who encouraged younger actors and martial artists.

“Cary was a large endowment and a fantastic man,” said his publicist, Penny Vizcarra, main enforcement of PV Public Relations. “Our full squad loved moving with him and appreciated however helium treated everyone with emotion and respect.”

Tagawa is survived by his children, Calen, Byrnne and Cana, and his grandchildren, River and Thea Clayton.