SURFING legend Tamayo Perry tragically died in Hawaii aged only 49.
He was known for his role in Disney‘s major blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean.
Who was Tamayo Perry?
Tamayo Perry was born in 1975 and raised in Oahu, Hawaii.
He described himself as a “devoted waterman” and a professional surfer.
Perry began surfing at the age of 12 and had to borrow surfboards because he had no sponsors, according to The Encyclopedia of Surfing.
His passion gained him a renowned reputation in the world of surfing as he was regarded one of the most prominent figures of Pipelines by the time he was 30.
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But he was better known to the public for his on-screen appearances in movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean.
What did Tamayo Perry star in?
Perry starred in major blockbusters including Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.
He previously made an appearance in the 2002 Hollywood hit, Blue Crush and had a role in Hawaii Five-0 and Lost.
He also landed a role in Charlie’s Angels 2 and an international commercial for Nissan Xterra which aired during the NFL playoffs and Winter Olympics.
Perry said on his website: “When I’m not acting, I’m still quite a character, so there’s always a ton 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 travelled with his wife Emilia, a skilled bodyboarder.
Perry was an instructor for the Oahu Surfing Experience which he founded with his wife in 2016.
“I’ve been surfing professionally for over 15 years and surfing the world’s deadliest wave is what I got paid for (Pipeline),” Perry wrote in his bio.
He wrote that he had a near-death experience while surfing an extra-large wave.
“A number of years ago while surfing Pipeline on the Extra Large size, I was involved in a freak accident that turned into a near-fatal experience.
“The incident happened all because of someone else’s lack of awareness.”
Perry wrote that he took lessons from that experience, which inspired him to teach others about surfing etiquette and safety.
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How did Tamayo Perry die?
Perry was mauled to death in a suspected shark attack on June 23, 2024.
His lifeless body was discovered with several bites off Malaekahana Beach on Oahu’s North shore by local surfers.
He had been surfing off Goat Island, also known as Mokuauia, near Laie, Hawaii – about 32 miles north of Honolulu.
He was found at 1 pm, officials told the Star-Advertiser, before lifeguards took him to shore via jetski.
Emergency crews 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 lifeguard loved by all, well-known on the North Shore, a professional surfer known worldwide 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’re asking for some privacy for his family at this time.”
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