Tamayo Perry, surfer, 'Pirates of the Caribbean' actor, killed in shark attack

A shark attack killed surfer and actor Tamayo Perry

Known for ‘Pirates of the Caribean’ and other roles

First time a professional surfer was killed by a shark

Best friends with Jack Johnson growing up

He just celebrated his 22nd wedding anniversary

The US leads world in number of unprovoked bites

A shark attack killed surfer and actor Tamayo Perry

Hawaiian emergency services have confirmed that surfing icon and actor Tamayo Perry was killed by a shark while surfing a wave off the East Coast of Oahu. He was 49 years old.

What happened?

At a press conference, Shayne Enright of the Honolulu Emergency Services Department confirmed that authorities responded to calls of a surfer being attacked by a shark. They brought him to shore by jet ski, but his injuries proved fatal. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Photo: Tamayo Perry / Facebook

Known for ‘Pirates of the Caribean’ and other roles

Outside of his surfing career, he had was known for appearing in popular movies. He was a buccaneer in the 2011 film ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.’ He also appeared as himself in ‘Blue Crush’ (2002) and had small parts on ‘Hawaii Five-0’ (2011), and ‘The Bridge’ (2015).

Image: GuardianUS / X

A surfing legend

Surfer magazine describes him as a “freesurfing standout in the North Shore scene around the new millennium, was beloved for his ever-present smile and casual poise under heaving, terrifying Pipeline barrels.” In 2002, he was named by Surfing Magazine as “most likely to get the barrel of the year.”

"It's just a tragic loss”

"It's just a tragic loss," Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi told local media, adding: “Tamayo was a legendary waterman and highly respected.” He had reportedly just finished his shift as a lifeguard on the beach when he had his fatal encounter with a shark.

Photo: Tamayo Perry / Facebook

First time a professional surfer was killed by a shark

Stab called the event “truly unfathomable.” While a 13-year-old surfer famously lost her arm to a tiger shark in Kauai in 2003, the magazine says this is “ the first time to our knowledge that a professional surfer has been killed by a shark.”

Best friends with Jack Johnson growing up

Perry was born and raised on the East Side of Oahu, where is also where he died. He began surfing at age 12 and became best friends with Jack Johnson, who would go on to be an acoustic pop star in the 2000s, according to the Encyclopedia of Surfing.

He just celebrated his 22nd wedding anniversary

Perry leaves behind his wife of 22 years, Emilia Perry, who had also been his surfing partner. Born in Australia she is a professional bodyboarder who also excels in the waves.

Photo: Tamayo Perry / Facebook

What kind of shark was it?

While the type of shark has not been confirmed, tiger sharks are considered the most dangerous in Hawaii, according to a Hawaii government website. But there are around 40 types of sharks in the Hawaiian waters.

The US leads world in number of unprovoked bites

In 2023, the US recorded the most unprovoked shark bites in the world, with 36 attacks, two of which were fatal (one in Hawaii and one in Florida), according to the International Shark Attack File. Australia was the runner-up, with 15 unprovoked attacks and four fatalities last year.