Renowned surfing legend Tamayo Perry, who was best known for his role in Disney’s blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean, tragically passed away at the age of 49 in Hawaii.
Born and raised in Oahu, Hawaii in 1975, Perry was a dedicated waterman and professional surfer from a young age.
Despite having to borrow surfboards due to lack of sponsors, Perry’s passion for surfing led him to become one of the most prominent figures at iconic surf spots like Pipelines by the time he was 30.
In addition to his successful surfing career, Perry also made a name for himself in the entertainment industry, starring in major Hollywood films such as Blue Crush, as well as TV shows like Hawaii Five-0 and Lost.
He also appeared in an international commercial for Nissan Xterra and landed a role in Charlie’s Angels 2. Perry described himself as quite the character off-screen, always seeking fun and adventure in life.
Outside of his acting career, Perry was widely respected for his exceptional surfing skills at dangerous waves like Teahupoo in Tahiti and Pipeline, where he won the Pipe Masters Trials in 1999. Alongside his wife, Emilia, who is a skilled bodyboarder, Perry founded the Oahu Surfing Experience in 2016 to share his passion for surfing with others.
He also taught surfing etiquette and safety following a near-fatal accident he experienced while riding an extra-large wave in Pipeline, due to another surfer’s lack of awareness.
On June 23, 2024, tragedy struck when Perry was mauled to death in a suspected shark attack off Malaekahana Beach on Oahu’s North shore. His lifeless body was discovered by local surfers with multiple bites, after he had been surfing off Goat Island near Laie, Hawaii.
Emergency crews and lifeguards attempted to rescue him, but unfortunately, Perry had suffered fatal injuries from the shark attack. Acting Ocean Safety Chief Kurt Lager expressed the community’s sorrow over the loss of Perry, describing him as a loved lifeguard and professional surfer with an infectious personality.
