LOS ANGELES: A Hawaiian surfer who also acted on TV and in movies, including Johnny Depp’s Pirates of the Caribbean, has died in a shark attack in Hawaii on Sunday.

Tamayo Perry, 49, died at Malaekahana beach on Oahu, moments after the encounter.

Perry played a buccaneer in the fourth instalment of the popular swashbuckling franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. He also appeared in the re-boot of Hawaii Five-O and in cult TV series Lost, which was largely filmed on the US archipelago, as well as in the 2002 surf movie, Blue Crush. In addition to his big and small screen appearances, Perry was a lifeguard and professional surfer who was well known in the local community.

Honolulu acting Ocean Safety chief Kurt Lager said as a lifeguard, Perry was “loved by all” on Oahu’s northern shore.

“Tamayo’s personality was infectious, and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more,” he said.

Honolulu mayor Rick Blangiardi told a press conference on Sunday that Perry’s death was “tragic”. “Tamayo was a legendary waterman and highly respected. (He) grew up right over here, and just a great member of our ocean safety team.”

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2024