The surfing world is in mourning as news of the death of Pirates of the Caribbean star, lifeguard and surfing instructor Tamayo Perry spread in Hawaii. The 49-year-old actor, who also starred in Blue Crush and Charlie’s Angels Full Throttle, suffered a fatal shark attack Sunday afternoon near Goat Island, Honolulu Emergency Medical Services announced.
The famous surfer reportedly went surfing at Mokuaia, near Laie, Hawaii. Sources confirmed he was later found dead at 1 p.m. A caller reported the incident, claiming they saw a man apparently suffering from a shark bite at Malakahana Beach, near Kahuku. Perry had multiple shark bite marks on his body.
Emergency services then arrived at Malaikahana Beach just before 1 p.m. Rescuers came to the aid of the Ocean Safety lifeguard and brought him to shore via jet ski while paramedics assisted in pronouncing death. Perry reportedly died at the scene.
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Following the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’ star’s death, ocean safety officials put up a shark warning in the area.
Honolulu officials and local community remember Tamayo Perry after his death was announced
According to Hawaii News Now, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi recognized the legendary surfer and called his death a “tragic loss”: “Tamayo was a great waterman and highly respected.”
The Encyclopedia of Surfing describes Perry as “a hard-charging, God-fearing pipeline expert from Oahu’s North Shore,” while Surfing magazine labeled him “most likely to get barrel of the year” in 2022. Born in 1975, the much-loved personality began surfing at age 12. He began working with the Department of Ocean Safety in July 2016, said Shayne Enright of the Honolulu Emergency Services Department.
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Honolulu Ocean Safety Chief Kurt Lage said he was “a beloved lifeguard … he’s well known on the North Shore. He’s a professional surfer known around the world.”
The local Hawaiian community also flocked to read Hawaii News Now’s latest post dedicated to Perry. Someone wrote, “Rest easy Tamayo. Never forget you were trying to teach me to drive. 12 years old. Hauula Shopping Center parking lot. Shotgun pass. Everyone laughing!! Time is fleeting. Love your ohana!”
Another Instagram user wrote, “You will be missed so much – pure aloha. Heartfelt condolences and love to Emilia, Perry Ohana, Lifeguard Ohana and all of our North Shore family and friends. This is such a huge blow. 😢” A third wrote, “My heart is broken. The North Shore lost a true legend and a good man. My condolences are with Emilia and her family 💕💕💕💕”
Another professional surfer Mona Jones Wong from Hawaii, affectionately known as the “Queen of Pipeline”, commented: “Will always love you ♾️❤️Will always miss you.”
While many others offered their heartfelt condolences to Perry’s family, another user recalled meeting the recently deceased lifeguard and his wife, writing, “My condolences 🤍 Just met him and his wife yesterday, so good to see them now. Short conversation but a very loving and warm couple.”
