Tamayo Perry, a legendary Hawaiian surfer, actor, and stunt performer, has died after a fatal shark attack, Stab Magazine and The Guardian reported.
Perry was surfing around 1 P.M. local time on Sunday afternoon near Honolulu’s Goat Island when he was viciously attacked by a shark, which left him with a severed arm and leg. He was found on the island some time later by fellow surfers who called emergency services. Rescue personnel ventured to the island on jet skis to recover Perry’s body.
Honolulu Ocean Safety acting chief Kurt Lager said during a press conference that Perry was a lifeguard and professional surfer who was “loved by all” and known both on Oahu’s North Shore and throughout the world. “Tamayo’s personality was infectious and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more," Lager said. "Our condolences go out to Tamayo’s family.”
Born in 1975, Perry began surfing at the age of 12 and quickly became known in the area for his tenacity and skill. By the early 2000s, he had become regarded as one of Hawaii’s most skilled surfers.
But he was perhaps best known for a handful of screen roles in several prominent Hollywood projects, most of which were shot in Hawaii.
In addition to an uncredited role a buccaneer in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Perry played a fictionalized version of himself in the 2002 surfing classic Blue Crush, and likewise appeared in several small television roles on shows such as Lost and Hawaii Five-0.
Perry was also a stunt performer, executing tricky surfing sequences for A-list stars, appearing as Owen Wilson’s stunt double in the 2004 caper comedy The Big Bounce. He sometimes also worked behind-the-scenes, such as providing surfing expertise for Cameron Diaz and Demi Moore in 2003's Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle.
Honolulu’s mayor, Rick Blangiardi, said that Perry’s death a "tragic loss." "Tamayo was a legendary waterman and highly respected, [he] grew up right over here, and just a great member of our ocean safety team," Blangiardi said.
Perry is survived by his wife of 22 years, Emilia.
