What was Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa's debut film? Actor's filmography explored as he passes away at 75

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa was a Japanese-born American and Russian-born actor and producer. His debut film was Big Trouble in Little China, which was directed by John Carpenter in 1986. Tagawa played the role of Wing Kong Swordsman, but was uncredited in the film. At the time of his film debut, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa was 36 years old.

Over the years, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa has made a name for himself in Hollywood. He was often cast as a villain in several films. One of his most famous roles is that of the evil sorcerer known as Shang Tsung. Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa has played the character in many Mortal Kombat films.

According to news shared by his family, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa passed away at the age of 75 at his home in Santa Barbara, due to complications from a stroke. He was surrounded by family at the time of his death.

Keep reading to learn more about Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa's work in the film and entertainment industry.

---

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa's complete filmography

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa has appeared in more than 60 films throughout his career as an actor. He has also appeared in a few short films, television shows, and even video games.

Here is the complete works of Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa.

---

Film

These are all of the films Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa has appeared in throughout his life as an actor.

• Big Trouble in Little China (1986) - Wing Kong Swordsman (Uncredited)
• Armed Response (1986) - Toshi, Member of Tanaka's Gang
• The Last Emperor (1987) - Chang
• Bulletproof (1988) - Thug in Flashback (Uncredited)
• Spellbinder (1988) - Lieutenant Lee
• Twins (1988) - Oriental Man
• The Last Warrior (1989) - Imperial Marine
• Licence to Kill (1989) - Kwang
• Kickboxer 2 (1991) - Sanga
• Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991) - Funekei Yoshida
• The Perfect Weapon (1991) - Kai
• Nemesis (1992) - Angie-Liv
• American Me (1992) - 'El Japo'
• Rising Sun (1993) - Eddie Sakamura
• Natural Causes (1994) - Major Somchal
• Picture Bride (1994) - Kanzuki
• The Dangerous (1995) - Kon
• Mortal Kombat (1995) - Shang Tsung
• Soldier Boyz (1995) - Vinh Moc
• White Tiger (1996) - Victor Chow
• The Phantom (1996) - The Great Kabai Sengh
• Danger Zone (1996) - Monsieur Chang
• Top of the World (1997) - Captain Hefter
• Provocateur (1997) - Captain Jong
• Mortal Kombat Annihilation (1997) - Shang Tsung (Archive footage)
• Vampires (1998) - David Deyo
• American Dragons (1998) - Matsuyama
• Bridge of Dragons (1999) - General Ruechang
• Fixations (1999) - Alex
• Snow Falling on Cedars (1999) - Zenhichi Miyamoto
• The Art of War (2000) - David Chan
• Pearl Harbor (2001) - Commander Minoru Genda
• Planet of the Apes (2001) - Krull
• Elektra (2005) - Master Roshi
• Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) - The Baron
• The Slanted Screen (2006) - Himself (Documentary)
• Balls of Fury (2007) - Mysterious Asian Man
• Blizhniy Boy: The Ultimate Fighter (2007) - Alibek
• Lost Warrior: Left Behind (2008) - Detective Yoshide (Direct-to-video)
• Bodyguard: A New Beginning (2008) - Kai
• By the Will of Chingis Khan (2009) - Bodyguard
• Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009) - Ken
• Tekken (2009) - Heihachi Mishima
• The Tomb (2009) - Len Burris
• Black Cobra (2012) - Goro Tanaka (Direct-to-video)
• Duel of Legends (2013) - Shing (Also producer)
• 47 Ronin (2013) - Tokugawa Tsunayoshi
• Hype Nation 3D (2014) - Sammy Kata
• Priest-San (2014) - Father Nikolai 'Takuro' Nakamura
• Ninja Apocalypse (2014) - Fumitaka (Direct-to-video)
• Tekken 2: Kazuya's Revenge (2014) - Heihachi Mishima
• Skin Trade (2014) - Senator Khat
• Junction (2015) - Narrator (Voice)
• Diamond Cartel (2015) - Khazar
• The Man with the Iron Fists 2 (2015) - The Mayor (Direct-to-video)
• Little Boy (2015) - Hashimoto
• Showdown in Manila (2016) - Aldric Cole
• Beyond the Game (2016) - Detective Yoshida
• Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) - Hashi (Voice)
• Looking in the Mirror (2019) - Henry
• Girl Games (2019) - Iwata
• Sky Sharks (2020) - Michael Morel

---

Short films

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa has also worked on a handful of short films. In some, he worked as a voice actor and a producer. Have a look at the short films below.

• True Love & Mimosa Tea (2005) - Andreas Kanaka
• The Sand Island Drive-In Anthem (2005) - Uncle C
• The Legend of Chang Apana (2009) - Chang Apana (Also producer)
• Absolute.ness (2010) - Chief Dax
• Overturned (2010) - Judge
• Genghis Khan Conquers the Moon (2015) - Genghis Khan
• Overwatch: Dragons (2016) - Narrator / Sojiro Shimada (Voice)

---

Television

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa's work in television is equally impressive as his work in films. Here is a complete list of all the television shows and series Tagawa has appeared on.

• MacGyver (1987) - Asian Buyer (Episode: "Dalton, Jack of Spies")
• The Colbys (1987) - Mr. Sung (Episode: "Devil's Advocate")
• Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) - Mandarin Bailiff (Episode: "Encounter at Farpoint")
• Miami Vice (1987-1989) - Kenji Fujitsu / Tegoro (2 episodes)
• Hotel (1988) - Inspector Chin (Episode: "Double Take")
• L.A. Takedown (1989) - Hugh Denny
• Superboy (1989) - Detective Jed Slade (Episode: "Terror from the Blue")
• Knots Landing (1989) - Mr. Toyo (Episode: "Giganticus II: The Revenge")
• Moonlighting (1989) - Artist (Episode: "Perfect")
• Peaceable Kingdom (1989) - Coach (Episode: "Chimp")
• Alien Nation (1989) - Yamato (Episode: "The First Cigar")
• Mission: Impossible (1989) - Vang Kai (Episode: "Countdown")
• Jake and the Fatman (1990) - Raymond Char (Episode: "Chinatown, My Chinatown")
• Hardball (1990) - N/A (Episode: "Wedding Bell Blues")
• The Bakery (1990) - Kim Lee
• Vestige of Honor (1990) - Thai Major
• Baywatch (1991) - Mason Sato (Episode: "War of Nerves")
• Not of This World (1991) - Shikido (Television film)
• Mission of the Shark: The Saga of the U.S.S. Indianapolis (1991) - Shoji Hashimoto
• Raven (1992) - Osato (2 episodes)
• Renegade (1993) - Hirotaka (Episode: "Samurai")
• Space Rangers (1993-1994) - Zylyn (6 episodes)
• Day of Reckoning (1994) - Prakit (Television film)
• Babylon 5 (1995) - Morishi (Episode: "Convictions")
• Thunder in Paradise 3 (1995) - Mason Lee (Television film)
• Cybill (1996) - Kenji (Episode: "Cybill and Maryann Go to Japan")
• Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996) - Tai Wei Tse (Episode: "Sweet & Sour Victory")
• Nash Bridges (1996-1997) - Lieutenant A.J. Shimamura (12 episodes)
• Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (1997) - King Young-Jin (Voice; Episode: "The Little Mermaid")
• Raven: Return of the Black Dragon (1997) - Osato
• Stargate SG-1 (1997) - Turghan (Episode: "Emancipation")
• Poltergeist: The Legacy (1998) - Sam Tanaka (Episode: "The Internment")
• Vengeance Unlimited (1998) - Aung Myint (Episode: "Ambition")
• Seven Days (1999) - Peter (Episode: "Walter")
• Johnny Tsunami (1999) - Johnny Tsunami (Television film)
• NetForce (1999) - Leong Cheng
• Walker, Texas Ranger (2000) - Master Ko (Episode: "Black Dragons")
• Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding (2003) - Mason Sato (Television film)
• Hawaii (2004) - Captain Terry Harada
• Faith of My Fathers (2005) - Cat (Television film)
• Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo (2006) - Brushogun (Voice; Television film)
• Heroes (2007) - The Swordsmith (2 episodes)
• Johnny Kapahala: Back on Board (2007) - Johnny Tsunami (Television film)
• Ghost Voyage (2008) - The Steward
• Beyond the Break (2009) - Xander (2 episodes)
• Hawaii Five-0 (2010) - Hiro Noshimori
• Revenge (2012-2013) - Satoshi Takeda (6 episodes)
• Teen Wolf (2014) - Katashi / Silverfinger (Episode: "Silverfinger")
• The Librarians (2014) - Mr. Drake (Episode: "And the Apple of Discord")
• The Man in the High Castle (2015-2018) - Nobusuke Tagomi (Main cast)
• Grimm (2016) - Takeshi Himura (Episode: "Inugami")
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2016) - Sumo Kuma (Voice; 2 episodes)
• Star Wars Rebels (2017) - Alrich Wren
• Lost in Space (2018) - Hiroki Watanabe (5 episodes)
• A Lover Scorned (2019) - Wong
• DuckTales (2020) - Akita (Voice; Episode: "Astro B.O.Y.D.!")
• Star Wars: Visions (2021) - Valco (Voice; Episode: "The Village Bride") (English dub)
• NCIS: Los Angeles (2021) - Craig Tanaka (Episode: "Fukushu")
• Blue Eye Samurai (2023) - Master Eiji

---

Video games

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa has also made a name for himself in the video game world. Here are a few games he had contributed to during his lifetime.

• Soldier Boyz (1997) - Vinh Moc
• Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu (2003) - Sin Tzu
• World of Warcraft: Legion (2016) - Voice-over cast
• Mortal Kombat 11 (2019–2020) - Shang Tsung (Voice and physical likeness; DLC appearance)
• Mortal Kombat: Onslaught (2023) - Physical likeness

---

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa built an impressive career in Hollywood, starting from a small uncredited role and growing into a well-known actor. He became famous for playing strong and memorable characters, especially the iconic villain Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat. Even after Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa's passing at 75, he is remembered for his contributions to the world of entertainment.

Also read: Who was Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa married to? Family explored as 'Mortal Kombat' actor dies at 75