Emilia Perry, widow of actor and surfer Tamayo Perry, shares her heartbreak and memories following his tragic death in a shark attack off Hawaii’s North Shore. Friends and family remember his legacy.
Bollywood Fever: The widow of Tamayo Perry, the actor and surfer tragically killed in a shark attack in Hawaii, has spoken out about her profound loss. Emilia Perry appeared on Good Morning America on Wednesday alongside Perry’s close friend, Jesse King, to discuss her late husband’s legacy and the impact of his untimely death.
Tearfully recalling her life with Perry, Emilia said, “It was like I went on the best 25-year vacation of my life with him. And now it’s over. Now I got to come back to reality.” Perry, 49, was found with an arm and leg missing by local surfers on Sunday off Mālaekahana Beach on Oahu’s North Shore.
Emilia, Perry’s partner of over two decades, highlighted his multifaceted persona: “The world knew Tamayo as a surfer and an actor, but to those who knew him best, he was a man of deep faith now taken too soon. I feel so upset and devastated. But I also have a weird calmness in my heart knowing that he’s in a better place.”
Tamayo Perry, a native of Oahu, was renowned for his charisma and skill both on the waves and on screen. His acting roles included parts in “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Blue Crush.” Before his transition to lifeguarding, Perry made a name for himself as a professional surfer on the North Shore, beginning his surfing career at the age of 12. By his teenage years, he was already a notable figure in the surfing community, despite having no sponsors and often borrowing surfboards.
Jesse King, Perry’s friend, shared on GMA that Perry was very familiar with the area where he tragically lost his life. “There was nothing out of the ordinary that would indicate that something bad would happen to him versus anybody else. A regular day,” King recounted.
Tamayo and Emilia Perry co-owned the Oahu Surfing Experience, where they offered surfing lessons. According to his biography on the business’ website, Perry had surfed professionally for over 15 years, with a notable highlight being his win at the Pipeline Master trials in 1999. Emilia, who competed as a professional bodyboarder in Western Australia before moving to Hawaii at 18, met Tamayo while bodyboarding at Pipeline. “A few years later, I picked up a surfboard, we got married and there was no turning back,” she shared on their website.
Emilia fondly remembered the ocean knowledge she gained from her husband: “The vast amounts of ocean knowledge that Tamayo has ingrained in me over the years is priceless.”
Honolulu Ocean Safety Acting Chief Kurt Lager praised Perry, saying he was “a lifeguard loved by all,” and described his personality as “infectious.” Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi also paid tribute, calling Perry “a legendary waterman and highly respected,” and labeling his death as “a tragic loss.”
The tragic incident marks the first fatal shark attack in Hawaii since December 30, when a man surfing off Maui was attacked about 150 yards from shore.
As the community mourns, Tamayo Perry’s legacy as a skilled surfer, dedicated lifeguard, and beloved husband and father remains strong.
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