SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, the Japanese-American actor best known for portraying the villainous sorcerer Shang Tsung in the "Mortal Kombat" franchise, died Thursday in Santa Barbara. He was 75.

Tagawa died from complications of a stroke while surrounded by his children, his family confirmed to Deadline.

The prolific performer appeared in more than 150 film, television and video game projects during a four-decade career that began with an uncredited role in John Carpenter's 1986 cult classic "Big Trouble in Little China."

Tagawa's breakout came the following year when he was cast in Bernardo Bertolucci's "The Last Emperor," which won nine Academy Awards including best picture. The role launched a career defined by memorable villain portrayals and martial arts expertis

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