Tamayo Perry, Iconic Surfer and Actor, Dead at 49 After Tragic Accident

Legendary surfer, stuntman and actor Tamayo Perry has died. He was only 49.

Perry was surfing in waters around Honolulu on Sunday when he was attacked by a shark. Emergency services responded to a call from a bystander at Malaekahana Beach, just north of the O'ahu surf school Perry owned and operated with his wife Emilia , at around 1 p.m. local time.

Paramedics rushed to bring Perry, who was reportedly on break from his lifeguarding duties at the time of the incident, back to shore using a jet ski. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering more than one possible shark bite, according to statements made in a June 23 press conference .

Ocean Safety personnel have since erected shark warnings in the surrounding area of the Honolulu beach where the fatal attack occurred.

Perry had been professionally surfing for well over 15 years, according to a bio on his website. He quickly rose to fame over his style and ability to surf Pipeline, going on to win the Pipeline Master trials in 1999 and eventually going on to upset the no. 1 World Title Contender in the Pipeline Masters competition that same year. He went on to be named a Super Final in the prestigious Teahupoo, Tahiti Pro Trials, where he competed against several big-name surfers, including six-time World Champion Kelly Slater and Vetea David , known as "the Tahitian king of Teahupoo."

Along with his outstanding career as a professional surfer and instructor, Perry made several on-screen appearances in hit films including the fourth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise starring Johnny Depp , Pirates of the Caribbean : On Stranger Tides (2011), as well as surfer flick Blue Crush (2002) starring Kate Bosworth .

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He also appeared in fan-favorite TV dramas like Hawaii Five-0 and Lost. Perry even worked as a stuntman, most notably alongside Morgan Freeman , Owen Wilson and Gary Sinise in the 2004 crime-comedy The Big Bounce.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi mourned Perry's death, calling him "a legendary waterman and highly respected, [who] grew up right over here, and just a great member of our ocean safety team."

Acting Honolulu Ocean Safety chief Kurt Lager fondly recalled the "lifeguard loved by all," noting, "Tamayo's personality was infectious, and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more."

Perry is survived by his wife and fellow surf instructor, Emilia.

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