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Biography
Born: September 27, 1950
Astrological Sign: Libra
Chinese Zodiac: Tiger
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
Height: 5' 11" Weight: about 150 pounds
Siblings: One brother, Greg
Education: University of Southern California, Major: Asian studies
Family: Wife: Sally, Children: Calen and Brynne
Present Residence: Kauai, Hawaii
This is the actor about whom www.moviepeople.hollywood.com has written: "Charismatic, muscular, handsome and often exuding a dangerous sexuality, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa specializes in playing the evilest of vile villains, most of whom, despite their exceptional martial arts skills, are killed in spectacular manners."
He was born in Tokyo but grew up an army brat in various cities in the United States (Ft. Bragg, NC, Ft. Polk, LA, Ft. Hood, TX), the family finally settling in Southern California, where he studied at the University of Southern California and (as an exchange student) in Japan where he took up residence after his studies. Alas, even though he was Japanese, he always felt like an outsider. Eventually returned to the US. He had begun acting in high school but his mother, a Tokyo actress, tried to discourage him from becoming an actor because she felt that Asian roles in America lacked substance.
His film career didn't begin until he was cast as an extra in "Big Trouble in Little China" at age 36 (urged on by his wife, Sally, who encouraged him to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming an actor). His big break came with the role of Chang in Bernardo Bertolucci's "The Last Emperor." He went on to contribute his distinctive talent to numerous films including "Rising Sun" with Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes (with whom he was reunited in "The Art of War"); "Mortal Kombat" with Christopher Lambert; "The Phantom" with Billy Zane; John Carpenter's "Vampires" and, more recently, "Snow Falling on Cedars" directed by Scott Hicks. He is currently appearing in the feature drama "Pearl Harbor," and in Tim Burton's version of "Planet of the Apes" (for whatever it's worth ... not having seen the movie, I can't say how much of Cary comes through the layers of ape make-up).
Cary can also be seen on television (not nearly enough, though!!! :). He was a regular cast member on the series "Nash Bridges," the short-lived science fiction/action series "Space Rangers" and has guested on numerous other popular TV shows including "MacGyver," "Alien Nation," "Stargate SG-1," "Babylon 5," "Cybil," "Seven Days," and the pilot movie for "Star Trek TNG."
When he's not acting, he addresses student groups, coaches pro- fessional athletes and works on a new form of martial arts he developed called Chuu Shin. He teaches a whole new concept for sports athletes by bringing martial arts to athletic training, information about which can be found on his website. The Tagawa family make their home in Hawaii.