Who was Pirates of the Caribbean star and surfer Tamayo Perry?

SURFING legend Tamayo Perry tragically died in Hawaii aged just 49.

He was known for his role in Disney’s big blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean.

Who was Tamayo Perry?

Tamayo Perry was born in 1975 and grew up in Oahu, Hawaii.

He described himself as a “dedicated waterman” and a professional surfer.

Perry started surfing at age 12 and had to borrow surfboards because he had no sponsors, according to The Encyclopedia of Surfing.

His passion earned him a renowned reputation in the surfing world, as by the time he was 30 he was considered one of Pipelines’ most prominent figures.

But he was better known to audiences for his on-screen appearances in films like Pirates of the Caribbean.

What was Tamayo Perry in?

Perry has starred in major blockbusters, including Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.

He previously appeared in the 2002 Hollywood hit Blue Crush and had roles in Hawaii Five-0 and Lost.

He also landed a role in Charlie’s Angels 2 and an international commercial for Nissan Xterra that aired during the NFL playoffs and the Winter Olympics.

Perry said on his website: “When I’m not acting, I’m still quite the character, so there’s always a lot of fun to be had.”

What did Tamayo Perry do outside of acting?

Perry made his surfing name with his brilliant skills at the Pipeline, becoming champion at the Pipe Masters Trials in 1999.

He also gained fame for his great surfing at Teahupoo in Tahiti, where he traveled with his wife Emilia, an experienced bodyboarder.

Perry was an instructor for the Oahu Surfing Experience, which he founded with his wife in 2016.

“I have been surfing professionally for over 15 years and I got paid for surfing the deadliest wave in the world (Pipeline),” Perry wrote in his biography.

He wrote that he had a near-death experience while surfing an oversized wave.

“Several years ago, while surfing Pipeline on the Extra Large format, I was involved in a freak accident that turned into a near-fatal experience.

“The incident all happened because of someone else’s lack of awareness.”

Perry wrote that he learned lessons from that experience, which inspired him to teach others about surfing etiquette and safety.

How did Tamayo Perry die?

Perry was beaten to death in a suspected shark attack on June 23, 2024.

His lifeless body was discovered by local surfers after several bites near Malaekahana Beach on Oahu’s North Shore.

He was surfing at Goat Island, also known as Mokuauia, near Laie, Hawaii, about 32 miles north of Honolulu.

He was found at 1 p.m., officials told the Star-Advertiser, before lifeguards took him to shore by jet ski.

Emergency officials believed Perry may have suffered more than one possible shark bite.

Acting Ocean Safety Chief Kurt Lager said in a statement: “Tamayo Perry was a universally loved lifeguard, well known on the North Shore, a professional surfer known around the world.

“Tamayo’s personality was infectious, and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more.

“Our condolences go out to Tamayo’s family and to the entire lifeguard Ohana. We ask for some privacy for his family at this time.”