---
name: "Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa"
fi1m_id: "cary-hiroyuki-tagawa"
imdb_id: "nm0846480"
tmdb_id: 11398
wikidata_id: "Q381799"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "27 September 1950"
died: "4 December 2025"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 9
average_fi1m_score: 71
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 8
updated: "2026-10-04T20:19:56.059498+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa

## Identity

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** cary-hiroyuki-tagawa
- **IMDb ID:** nm0846480
- **TMDB ID:** 11398
- **Wikidata ID:** Q381799
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cary-Hiroyuki_Tagawa, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q381799, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0846480/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11398

Actor. Born 27 September 1950 in Tokyo, Japan. Died 4 December 2025.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 27 September 1950, Tokyo, Japan
- **Died:** 4 December 2025
- **Active:** 1985–2023
- **Also known as:** Tagawa Hiroyuki, ケイリー＝ヒロユキ・タガワ, 田川洋行, 캐리 히로유키 타가와, کری هیرویوکی تاگاوا, Panteleymon Tagawa, Cary Tagawa
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 9: 8 acting, 1 other
- **Average Fi1m score:** 71, as actor, over 8 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 75 (5), 2000s 56 (2), 2010s 83 (1), 2020s 79 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 68 to 61 across 6 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Adventure 3, Drama 3, Action 2, Animation 2, Comedy 2, Family 2
- **Screen time:** 12 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $902m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cary-Hiroyuki_Tagawa, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q381799, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0846480/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11398

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Kubo and the Two Strings*](https://film.one/film/kubo-and-the-two-strings.md) (83), [*Planet of the Apes*](https://film.one/film/planet-of-the-apes-2001.md) (40)
- **Apple TV:** [*The Last Emperor*](https://film.one/film/the-last-emperor.md) (80)
- **Netflix:** [*BLUE EYE SAMURAI*](https://film.one/tv/blue-eye-samurai.md) (79)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Hachi: A Dog's Tale*](https://film.one/film/hachi-a-dogs-tale.md) (73)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa

> Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa made menace convincing with stillness, voice and small changes of expression. We rate his restraint and the warmth of his gentler parts, while regretting how often the scripts settled for another threatening face.

Tagawa's villains rarely seemed to be making an effort to frighten anyone. Stillness, voice and a held expression did much of the work, with his martial arts background lending assurance to the movement. We value that economy, especially in supporting parts with little time to establish a character. The difficulty was how often the films wanted the same sort of man.

*The Last Emperor* (1987) gave him his breakthrough as Chang in Bernardo Bertolucci's historical drama. We recommend it for the way imperial ceremony becomes fascinating and painfully lonely, though the adult protagonist can remain frustratingly remote. It is a useful starting point before the succession of films that asked him chiefly to look dangerous.

In *Mortal Kombat* (1995), his Shang Tsung has the elegance as well as the menace that made his villains memorable. Yet the recurring problem was the writing: films such as *The Phantom* (1996) confined him to one-note antagonists. Giving those figures poise made them more watchable; it did not make them more fully written. We can admire the actor without pretending every part justified the attention he gave it.

*Hachi: A Dog's Tale* (2009) gives him a gentler part as Ken. We were moved by Richard Gere's bond with the dog, because their attachment needs so little explanation. Lasse Hallström's direction earns those tears, though the piano insists on them and the surrounding humans are thinly written. Tagawa brings warmth to one of those supporting parts without making us forget how little the script provides. The pleasure is in seeing a familiar presence used kindly, even in a film that still gives its people less attention than they need.

The later television work included Nobusuke Tagomi in *The Man in the High Castle* (2015), a substantial recurring role. It belongs to a later stretch in which he had more opportunity to play sympathetic or complicated people. Start with Ken if the only Tagawa you know is waiting to threaten somebody.

## Biography

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (27 September 1950 – 4 December 2025) was a Japanese-American actor and martial artist. Born in Tokyo, he moved to the United States as a child and later studied at the University of Southern California, where he also trained in martial arts. He began his screen career in the mid-1980s.

He appeared in films including *The Last Emperor* (1987), *Licence to Kill* (1989), *Mortal Kombat* (1995) as Shang Tsung, *Pearl Harbor* (2001), *Planet of the Apes* (2001), *Memoirs of a Geisha* (2005), *Hachi: A Dog's Tale* (2009) as Ken, *47 Ronin* (2013) and *Kubo and the Two Strings* (2016). Tagawa also had recurring television roles in series such as *Nash Bridges* and *The Man in the High Castle*.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, nytimes.com.*

## On Fi1m (9)

### Performed in (8) — the average rests on these

- *BLUE EYE SAMURAI* (2023), Fi1m 79, as The Swordmaker (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/blue-eye-samurai.md)
- *Kubo and the Two Strings* (2016), Fi1m 83, as Hashi (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/kubo-and-the-two-strings.md)
- *Hachi: A Dog's Tale* (2009), Fi1m 73, as Ken — [page](https://film.one/film/hachi-a-dogs-tale.md)
- *Planet of the Apes* (2001), Fi1m 40, as Krull — [page](https://film.one/film/planet-of-the-apes-2001.md)
- *Licence to Kill* (1989), Fi1m 70, as Kwang — [page](https://film.one/film/licence-to-kill.md)
- *Twins* (1988), Fi1m 64, as Oriental Man — [page](https://film.one/film/twins.md)
- *The Last Emperor* (1987), Fi1m 80, as Chang — [page](https://film.one/film/the-last-emperor.md)
- *Moonlighting* (1985), Fi1m 82, as Artist — [page](https://film.one/tv/moonlighting.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Big Trouble in Little China* (1986), Fi1m 78, as Wing Kong Man - Extra (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/big-trouble-in-little-china.md)

## Complete filmography (119)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *BLUE EYE SAMURAI* (2023), series, as The Swordmaker (voice) — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/tv/blue-eye-samurai.md)
- *Looking in the Mirror* (2021), as Henry
- *Insert Coin* (2020), as Shang Tsung
- *Sky Sharks* (2020), as Michael Morel
- *A Lover Scorned* (2019), as Mr. Wong
- *Lost in Space* (2018), series, as Hiroki Watanabe
- *DuckTales* (2017), series, as Akita (voice)
- *Kubo and the Two Strings* (2016), as Hashi (voice) — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/kubo-and-the-two-strings.md)
- *Showdown in Manila* (2016), as Aldric Cole
- *The Honored Priest: Confession of a Samurai* (2015), as Nikolay
- *Genghis Khan Conquers the Moon* (2015), as Genghis Khan
- *Duel of Legends* (2015), as Shing
- *Little Boy* (2015), as Hashimoto
- *The Man with the Iron Fists 2* (2015), as Lord Pi / Mayor Zhang
- *Diamond Cartel* (2015), as Khazar
- *The Man in the High Castle* (2015), series, as Nobusuke Tagomi
- *Beyond the Game* (2014), as Detective Yoshida
- *The Librarians* (2014), series, as Mr. Drake
- *Skin Trade* (2014), as Senator Khat
- *Star Wars Rebels* (2014), series, as Alrich Wren (voice)
- *Tekken 2: Kazuya's Revenge* (2014), as Heihachi
- *Ninja Apocalypse* (2014), as Fumitaka
- *Hype Nation 3D* (2014), Actor
- *47 Ronin* (2013), as Shogun Tsunayoshi
- *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* (2012), series, as Sumo Kuma (voice)
- *When the Cobra Strikes* (2012), as Goro Tanaka
- *Grimm* (2011), series, as Takeshi Imura — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/grimm.md)
- *Revenge* (2011), series, as Satoshi Takeda
- *Teen Wolf* (2011), series, as Katashi
- *Mortal Kombat: Legacy* (2011), series, as Shang Tsung
- *Hawaii Five-0* (2010), series, as Hiro Noshimuri — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/tv/hawaii-five-0.md)
- *Tekken* (2010), as Heihachi Mishima
- *The Tomb* (2009), as Len Burris
- *NCIS: Los Angeles* (2009), series, as Craig Tanaka
- *Hachi: A Dog's Tale* (2009), as Ken — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/hachi-a-dogs-tale.md)
- *By the Will of Chingis Khan* (2009), as bodyguard
- *Ghost Voyage* (2008), as The Steward
- *Bodyguard: A New Beginning* (2008), as Kai
- *Under the Balls: The Life of a Ball Wrangler* (2007), Actor
- *Balls Out: The Making of 'Balls of Fury'* (2007), Actor
- *Johnny Kapahala: Back on Board* (2007), as Grandpa Johnny Tsunami
- *Balls of Fury* (2007), as Mysterious Asian Man
- *The Ultimate Fighter* (2007), as Alibek
- *Heroes* (2006), series, as The Swordsmith — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/heroes.md)
- *Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo* (2006), as Brushogun (voice)
- *Memoirs of a Geisha* (2005), as The Baron
- *The Sand Island Drive-In Anthem* (2005), as Uncle C
- *Faith of My Fathers* (2005), as Cat
- *Elektra* (2005), as Roshi
- *Hawaii* (2004), series, as Terry Harada
- *Fallacy* (2004), Actor
- *Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding* (2003), as Mason Sato
- *Planet of the Apes* (2001), as Krull — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/planet-of-the-apes-2001.md)
- *Pearl Harbor* (2001), as Genda
- *The Ghost* (2001), as Chang
- *The Art of War* (2000), as David Chan
- *Snow Falling on Cedars* (1999), as Zenhichi Miyamoto
- *Johnny Tsunami* (1999), as Johnny Tsunami
- *Bridge of Dragons* (1999), as General Ruechang
- *NetForce* (1999), as Leong Cheng
- *Netforce* (1999), series, as Leong Cheng
- *Vampires* (1998), as David Deyo
- *American Dragons* (1998), as Matsuyama
- *Seven Days* (1998), series, Actor
- *Provocateur* (1998), as Captain Jong
- *Mortal Kombat: Annihilation* (1997), as Shang Tsung (archive footage)
- *Stargate SG-1* (1997), series, as Turghan
- *Top of the World* (1997), as Captain Hefter
- *Sabrina, the Teenage Witch* (1996), series, as Tai Wai Tse
- *Danger Zone* (1996), as Monsieur Chang
- *The Phantom* (1996), as The Great Kabai Sengh
- *White Tiger* (1996), as Victor Chow
- *Nash Bridges* (1996), series, as A.J. Shimamura
- *Soldier Boyz* (1995), as Vinh Moc
- *Mortal Kombat* (1995), as Shang Tsung
- *Thunder in Paradise 3* (1995), as Mason Lee
- *Picture Bride* (1995), as Kanzaki
- *Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child* (1995), series, as King Young-Jin (voice)
- *The Dangerous* (1995), as Kon
- *Cybill* (1995), series, as Kenji
- *Natural Causes* (1994), as Major Somchai
- *Day of Reckoning* (1994), as Prakit
- *Babylon 5* (1994), series, as Morishi — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/babylon-5.md)
- *Rising Sun* (1993), as Eddie Sakamura
- *Walker, Texas Ranger* (1993), series, as Master Ko
- *Space Rangers* (1993), series, as Zylyn
- *Nemesis* (1992), as Angie-Liv
- *Renegade* (1992), series, as Hirotaka
- *Raven* (1992), series, Actor
- *Raven: Return of the Black Dragons* (1992), as Osato
- *American Me* (1992), as El Japo
- *Mission of the Shark: The Saga of the U.S.S. Indianapolis* (1991), as Hashimoto
- *Showdown in Little Tokyo* (1991), as Yoshida
- *The Perfect Weapon* (1991), as Kai
- *Not of This World* (1991), as Shikido
- *Kickboxer 2: The Road Back* (1991), as Sanga
- *Vestige of Honor* (1990), as Thai Major
- *Nasty Boys* (1990), series, as Max
- *Murder in Paradise* (1990), as Detective
- *Hardball* (1989), series, Actor
- *The Last Warrior* (1989), as Imperial Marine
- *L.A. Takedown* (1989), as Hugh Benny
- *Licence to Kill* (1989), as Kwang — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/licence-to-kill.md)
- *Baywatch* (1989), series, as Sato
- *Twins* (1988), as Oriental Man — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/twins.md)
- *Superboy* (1988), series, Actor
- *Spellbinder* (1988), as Lt. Lee
- *Bulletproof* (1988), as Thug in Flashback (uncredited)
- *The Last Emperor* (1987), as Chang — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/the-last-emperor.md)
- *Star Trek: The Next Generation* (1987), series, as Mandarin Bailiff — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-the-next-generation.md)
- *Jake and the Fatman* (1987), series, as Raymond Char
- *Armed Response* (1986), as Toshi
- *The Wizard* (1986), series, Actor
- *Big Trouble in Little China* (1986), as Wing Kong Man - Extra (uncredited) — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/big-trouble-in-little-china.md)
- *MacGyver* (1985), series, as Asian Buyer
- *Moonlighting* (1985), series, as Artist — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/moonlighting.md)
- *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as Kenji Fujitsu, Tegoro — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md)
- *Hotel* (1982), series, as Inspector Chin
- *Knots Landing* (1979), series, as Mr. Toyo

## Gallery

- ![Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa](https://film.one/media/person/105190/gallery-3c7dcee81210.jpg) Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa — Ivan Bessedin, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/10/Cary-Hiroyuki_Tagawa.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa](https://film.one/media/person/105190/gallery-0b91841a94f8.jpg) Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 1 won

- Behind the Voice Actors Awards 2016: Behind the Voice Actors Awards (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa