'Pirates of the Caribbean' actor Tamayo Perry killed in shark attack in Hawaii

Tamayo Perry, widely recognized for his roles in the films 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and 'Blue Crush,' tragically lost his life at the age of 49 due to a shark attack in Hawaii. Perry, who was also a seasoned lifeguard and surfing instructor, died on the afternoon of Sunday, June 23, near Goat Island, as reported by the Honolulu Emergency Medical Services.

The incident took place while Perry was surfing at Mālaekahana Beach on Oahu. According to emergency services, a call was received around 1 p.m. reporting a surfer who had been fatally injured by a shark. Rescue teams, including lifeguards and emergency responders, quickly deployed a jet ski to recover Perry's body from the ocean.

Kurt Lager, the acting chief of Honolulu Ocean Safety, shared that Perry was a beloved figure in both the local and international surfing community, particularly within Oahu's North Shore area. He praised Perry's contributions as a lifeguard and his remarkable surfing talent, noting that Perry had been part of the Ocean Safety team since July 2016 and was highly respected by his peers.

Shayne Enright, a spokesperson for the Honolulu Emergency Services Department, confirmed in a news conference that Perry was attacked while surfing near Goat Island. The combined efforts of Ocean Safety, fire, police, and medical services were mobilized to Mālaekahana Beach following the report of the shark attack. Perry's body was brought to shore by lifeguards, where paramedics confirmed his death.

John Sullivan, a fellow actor who collaborated with Perry on the television series 'Hawaii Five-0,' remembered him fondly, describing him as "the nicest guy on Oahu" and lauding his consistently positive demeanor. Perry was celebrated for his infectious personality and was cherished by everyone who knew him.

Perry first gained prominence in the early 2000s for his extraordinary surfing skills, particularly in the North Shore pipeline, which were highlighted in Surfer Magazine. His surfing prowess paved the way for a successful Hollywood career, including notable appearances in 'Blue Crush' (2002) and 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' (2011). He also made a guest appearance in a 2011 episode of 'Hawaii Five-0'.

The International Shark Attack File has reported a noticeable increase in fatal shark attacks in 2023 compared to the previous year. One of the two deadly shark attacks in the U.S. last year occurred in Hawaii, although Florida remains the state with the highest number of shark attacks overall.