Tamayo Perry, known for his role in Pirates of the Caribbean, tragically lost his life in a shark attack while surfing in Hawaii.
The 49-year-old actor and professional surfer was attacked on Sunday afternoon at Malaekahana Beach, confirmed
Honolulu’s emergency services during a press conference. Emergency responders were called to the scene around 1:00 PM local time.
Despite being rushed to shore by jet ski, Perry, who also worked as a lifeguard, was pronounced dead by paramedics upon arrival.
Perry’s career included his portrayal of a buccaneer in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, the fourth film in the popular franchise.
The 2011 movie features Johnny Depp as the eccentric Captain Jack Sparrow and stars Penelope Cruz and Geoffrey Rush.
Perry also had roles in several TV series and films, such as Lost, Hawaii Five-0, Blue Crush, and the Charlie’s Angels sequel Full Throttle.
Additionally, he appeared in a Coca-Cola commercial.
Born on the east side of Oahu, Perry had been a professional surfer for over a decade.
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In a biography on the Oahu Surfing Experience website, where he was an instructor, Perry detailed his adventures surfing “the world’s deadliest wave.”
He proudly mentioned that despite being a “small-time island boy,” he could compete with the best surfers worldwide.
He also referenced a past “freak accident” that nearly cost him his life, attributing the incident to someone else’s lack of awareness, though he did not provide further details.
Kurt Lager, the acting chief of Honolulu Ocean Safety, praised Perry as a beloved lifeguard with an infectious personality.
He remarked that Perry was well-known and cherished on Oahu’s north shore and internationally.
“Tamayo’s personality was infectious, and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more,”
Lager said, extending condolences to Perry’s family.
Mayor Rick Blangiardi also expressed his sorrow over Perry’s death, describing it as a “tragic loss.”
In his statement, Blangiardi honoured Perry as a legendary waterman and respected community member, calling for privacy for Perry’s family during this difficult time.
