Overview
- His death on Thursday, Dec. 4, was confirmed by relatives to Deadline and by publicist Penny Vizcarra to People.
- Tagawa originated Shang Tsung in the 1995 film and reprised the role in TV projects and video games including Mortal Kombat 11 and Onslaught.
- He broke through in Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor and later earned wide notice on Prime Video’s The Man in the High Castle.
- The Japanese-born, U.S.-raised martial artist amassed roughly 150 screen and voice credits across film, television, and games.
- Tributes from peers and fans flowed quickly, with Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon praising his defining portrayal of Shang Tsung; survivors include his children Calen, Brynne, and Cana, and grandchildren River and Thea.