‘Pirates of the Caribbean star’ Tamayo Perry killed in shark attack at 49

Perry was surfing at Mālaekahana Beach on Oahu when the incident occurred. (Images via X)

Tamayo Perry, renowned for his roles in 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and 'Blue Crush', tragically passed away in Hawaii at the age of 49. Perry, also a lifeguard and surfing instructor, was the victim of a fatal shark attack off Goat Island on Sunday afternoon, June 23, as confirmed by Honolulu Emergency Medical Services.

Perry was surfing at Mālaekahana Beach on Oahu when the incident occurred. Emergency services received a call around 1 pm about a surfer who had been “fatally injured by a shark”. They swiftly responded with a jet ski to retrieve Perry's body from the water.

Honolulu Ocean Safety's acting chief, Kurt Lager, shared in a press conference that Perry was a beloved lifeguard and accomplished surfer, known both locally and internationally, particularly in Oahu's North Shore community.

Shayne Enright from Honolulu Emergency Services Department stated at a news conference streamed by CBS affiliate Hawaii News Now that Perry was attacked while surfing near Goat Island. Emergency responders, including Ocean Safety, fire, police, and medical services, were dispatched to Mālaekahana Beach following the call about the shark attack.

Lifeguards used a jet ski to bring Perry to shore, where paramedics confirmed his death. Enright noted that Perry had been part of the Ocean Safety team since July 2016 and was well-respected by colleagues and the community.

Lager highlighted Perry's infectious personality and how much he was loved by everyone he encountered. John Sullivan, a fellow actor who worked with Perry on 'Hawaii Five-0', described him as the "nicest guy on Oahu" and praised his constant positivity, “He broadcasted positivity wherever he went.”

Perry first gained recognition in the early 2000s for his exceptional surfing skills, particularly in the North Shore pipeline, as reported by Surfer Magazine. His talents led to a successful Hollywood career, with notable appearances in 'Blue Crush' (2002) and 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' (2011). He also appeared in a 2011 episode of 'Hawaii Five-0'.

According to the International Shark Attack File, deadly shark attacks saw a significant increase in 2023 compared to the previous year. One of the two fatal shark attacks in the U.S. last year occurred in Hawaii, though Florida remained the state with the highest number of shark attacks overall.