Pirates of the Caribbean actor Tamayo Perry is dead at 49 years old. The professional surfer and City and County of Honolulu Ocean Safety lifeguard was tragically killed by a shark while he was surfing in Hawaii on Sunday, June 23, 2024.
Shayne Enright from the Honolulu Emergency Services Department explained during a press conference that authorities had responded to calls of a surfer being attacked around Mālaekahana Beach around 1 p.m. local time.
"As you can imagine, this is [an] extremely difficult time for all of us. I ask for your kindness and your patience as we all just try to get through this next hour into these next weeks and months," he said. Authorities had responded to the attack via jet ski, bringing the actor to shore where Honolulu EMS personnel then "assisted with his death pronouncement," Shayne said.
Honolulu Ocean Safety Acting Chief Kurt Lager called Tamayo "a lifeguard loved by all" during the conference. "He’s well known on the North Shore. He’s a professional surfer known worldwide. Tamayo’s personality was infectious and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more."
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"This is sad!" one person commented in reaction to the news.
"He at least died while he did what he loved," another person wrote. "Condolences to his loved ones and family."
The actor starred in the 2011 film Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and in the 2002 film Blue Crush. He also acted in various other projects. Shayne confirmed that Tamayo started his career with the Ocean Safety department in July 2016.
In a post made to the actor's Instagram page (which was run by him and his wife, Emilia Perry), people mourned the loss of Tamayo.
"We all want to be the hero of our own story, one of the redeeming characteristics of humanity is our desire to follow our convictions always and without fear. Few of us are able to truly be that hero, Tamayo Perry was is and will be forever," the post read. "He was everyone’s big brother, stern and uncompromising with an infectious and kolohe smile. He was your rescuer in time of need, your safety when all things fell apart. He was a knight forged in the fires of the North Shore in the 90’s, his faith in Christ the rock upon which he stood."
"Few are those who truly follow in the footsteps of Jesus, Tamayo never took his eyes off the path. Tragic though his passing may be, he left this world doing what he loved where he loved to do it," it continued. "We find strength in knowing he is in heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ, trading barrels at Pipeline with his friends that have gone before him. To make a donation please follow the link in bio. We will update with Celebration of Life details in the near future. Thank you for everyone’s outpouring of love and support."
The photos in the post showed snapshots of Tamayo surfing and of him with his wife.
"He was my best friend and I’m sure a lot of people can say that," someone commented. "That’s how he makes you feel. Such a full life blessed full of love, laughter and faith. Legends never die but you will be so deeply missed. We love you so much @emiliaperry ."
"As soon as I heard the news I swam the ocean for brother Tamayo!" another person wrote. "I know he would want the ocean to continue to be loved always. Spreading Love and aloha to you and your ohana forever. Thankful for his presence in my life and will never ever forget the hoots of laughter and smiles surfing pumping secret spots."
