Actor from 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and lifeguard succumbed to an apparent shark attack in Hawaii.
Tamayo Perry, aged 49, was a "seasoned eight-year veteran of Honolulu Ocean Safety, widely recognized as a water sports enthusiast on the North Shore," as per a statement by Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi.
Perry symbolized courage, dedication, and a strong sense of duty, serving the community selflessly with unwavering resolve, according to Blangiardi. His valiant actions and relentless efforts to ensure the safety of residents and visitors will forever be etched in our minds.
Around 1 PM on Sunday, Honolulu Ocean Safety and other emergency services responded to a beach after receiving a report about a surfer who had suffered a fatal shark attack, as confirmed by Honolulu Emergency Medical Services spokesperson Shayne Enright.
Upon arrival, Honolulu Ocean Safety dispatched a jet ski to reach Perry and bring him ashore, where first responders pronounced him dead.
Perry was a beloved lifeguard who was admired by all, a skilled professional surfer with a captivating persona, as mentioned by Honolulu Ocean Safety's acting Chief Kurt Lager.
"People loved him, but he loved others even more," Lager remarked.
According to Perry's IMDb page, he appeared in various TV and movie productions.
Perry's profile on the Oahu Surfing Experience website lists his credits to include the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie, "Charlie's Angels 2," "Blue Crush," hit TV shows "Lost" and "Hawaii Five-0," and numerous national and international ad campaigns.
"When I'm not acting, I'm still quite the character, so there's always a lot of fun to be had," he stated.
Emilia Perry, Tamayo's wife, hails from Western Australia and was a professional bodyboarder before moving to Hawaii, where she met her husband and began competing in surfing, according to her bio on the surfing website.
"When I was 18 years old, I came to Hawaii for a competition and met Tamayo while bodyboarding at Pipeline. A few years later, I picked up a surfboard, we got married, and there was no turning back," she wrote, adding, "the ocean knowledge that Tamayo has passed onto me over the years is invaluable."
The University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File reported 120 shark bite incidents in 2023. Of the 36 shark bites that occurred in the US, eight were in Hawaii, one of which was fatal.
According to the shark attack file's 2023 report, surfers accounted for 42% of the global bites. Though the number of bites and fatalities increased last year compared to the previous year, the report authors affirm that the numbers are still consistent with recent trends.
Following Perry's death, the Honolulu community will extend their support, as noted by the mayor.
"As we grapple with this profound loss, we are reminded of the significant risks faced by our lifeguards on a daily basis. We extend our deepest appreciation for their service," said Blangiardi.
CNN's Tina Burnside and Lauren Mascarenhas contributed to this report.
