Pirates of the Caribbean star Tamayo Perry has passed away at age 49.
Per BBC, Tamayo Perry died on Sunday, June 23, 2024, after being attacked by a shark while surfing in Hawaii.
Emergency services were called to Malaekahana Beach in Honolulu County around 1 p.m. Perry, who is also a lifeguard, was brought to shore by jet ski and pronounced dead by paramedics after having suffered from several shark bites.
Honolulu Ocean Safety acting chief Kurt Lager said Perry was “a lifeguard loved by all” during a press conference, via the Associated Press.
“He’s well known on the North Shore. He’s a professional surfer known worldwide,” Lager continued. “Tamayo’s personality was infectious and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more.”
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi added, “Tamayo was a legendary waterman and highly respected.” He further called Perry’s death “a tragic loss.”
Perry played a buccaneer in 2011’s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, the fourth film in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise that also starred Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Ian McShane, and Geoffrey Rush.
He also had roles in 2002’s Blue Crush (which starred Kate Bosworth, Michelle Rodriguez, and Matthew Davis) and an episode of 2011’s Hawaii Five-0.
According to the Associated Press, Perry began his career as a lifeguard with the Ocean Safety Department in July 2016. He had been surfing professionally for over a decade.
Shark warnings were posted in the area by Ocean Safety personnel following the attack.
ComingSoon sends condolences to Perry’s family and friends at this time.