Tamayo Perry, a surfer, lifeguard and actor who held roles in “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” and “Blue Crush,” died on Sunday after being attacked by a shark in Hawaii, the BBC reported. He was 49.
According to the Associated Press, Honolulu Ocean Safety and the city’s emergency services responded around 1 p.m. to a call regarding a man who appeared to have suffered from several shark bites near Mālaekahana Beach on Oahu’s North Shore. Perry was then brought to shore by paramedics via jet ski and pronounced dead at the scene
Perry was “a lifeguard loved by all,” Honolulu Ocean Safety acting chief Kurt Lager said during a press conference, according to the AP.
“He’s well known on the North Shore. He’s a professional surfer known worldwide,” Lager said. “Tamayo’s personality was infectious and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more.”
Perry was also an actor, having held small roles in 2011’s fourth “Pirates of the Caribbean” film, “On Stranger Tides,” as well as “Blue Crush” (2002) and “Hawaii Five-O” (2011).
He had been working as a lifeguard since July 2016, the AP reported, and had been professionally surfing for over a decade.
Honolulu mayor Rick Blangiardi called Perry’s death “a tragic loss” during a press conference, according to the BBC. “Tamayo was a legendary waterman and highly respected,” he said, adding that he “grew up right over here” and was “just a great member of our Ocean Safety team.”
Shark warning posters were put up in the area following the attack, Ocean Safety officials said.
He is survived by his wife, Emilia Perry.