Tamayo Perry was a professional surfer with acting credits in films like “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Blue Crush.”
In a tragic and unusual incident, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides‘ actor Tamayo was fatally attacked by a shark while surfing in Hawaii on June 23, 2024.
Highlights
- Born in Oahu to Marlene Louise “Kai” Cunningham, a teacher from Laie, Hawaii, Perry grew up with his brothers Mario Gardner and Mark Gardner.
- Tamayo Perry’s Hawaiian roots and devout Christian faith were central to his identity.
- Perry married Emilia Perry in 2001, and together they founded Oahu Surfing Experience, offering surfing lessons and mermaid photoshoots.
Perry was found lifeless by Honolulu’s emergency services.
Emergency responders were called to Malaekahana Beach, but despite efforts, paramedics declared his demise upon arrival.
The actor also served as an Ocean Safety lifeguard for the City and County of Honolulu in Hawaii, where he lived and worked.
He will be fondly remembered for his remarkable surfing and acting abilities.
Pirates of the Caribbean Star Tamayo Perry, Was a Devout Christian & Had Hawaiian Roots
Tamayo Perry was born in Oahu on April 15, 1975, to his mother, Marlene Louise “Kai” Cunningham, a teacher in Laie, Hawaii. Marlene passed away in 2022.
He grew up in a small town just east of the North Shore alongside his two brothers, Mario Gardner and Mark Gardner.
While his specific ethnicity is not explicitly mentioned, his Hawaiian birthplace suggests he likely had Hawaiian ethnicity.
Tamayo Perry was described as a “God-fearing Pipe specialist” and a “devout born-again Christian.”
When asked by a surf magazine to name the last two books he had read, Perry mentioned the “Bible” and “The End: 50 Reasons Why Jesus Christ Could Return Before the Year 2000.”
In July 2015, Perry posted on Facebook about the incident where two sharks in South Africa attacked surfer Mick Fanning.
Perry, who was a devout Christian, wrote,
The incident with Mick at J-Bay is a great indication that Jesus mercy is more than sufficient [sic]; regardless, sharks freak me out, and I’m glad the Good Lord had Mick’s back today. Only the Lord can say when it’s your time.”
Moreover, Tamayo Perry’s faith in Christ was a cornerstone of his life, offering him strength and guidance.
Tamayo Perry’s Wife, Emilia Perry: Partner in Love, Surfing, and Business
Perry was married to his wife, Emilia Perry, a surfer and bodyboarder who learned surfing alongside him.
The couple got married on December 31, 2001. However, as far as available information indicates, Tamayo and Emilia had no children throughout their two decades of marriage.
In 2016, after 15 years of marriage, Tamayo and Emilia started a business together.
They established the Oahu Surfing Experience, providing surfing lessons and professional mermaid photoshoots in Hawaii.
Emilia expressed on their website how her collaboration with Tamayo flourished her personal life and professional surfing career.
Moreover, Perry and Emilia celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary just months before the shark attack incident.
We are sending healing thoughts to Emilia and Tamayo’s family.
Additional Information
- Perry had been a professional surfer for more than 15 years, specializing in riding the world’s most dangerous wave, Pipeline.
- Perry wrote on his website, “Besides surfing, another huge passion of mine is acting; when I’m not acting, I’m still quite a character, so there’s always a ton of fun to be had.”
- Mayor Rick Blangiardi described Tamayo Perry as “a legendary waterman and highly respected person,” calling losing him “a tragic loss.”
