Pirates of the Caribbean and Blue Crush star’s body washed up with an arm and leg missing

• Tamayo Perry, 49, was found with shark bites off the coast of Oahu 

Surfing legend Tamayo Perry, who once appeared in a Pirates of the Caribbean film, was killed Sunday in a shark attack while surfing in Hawaii. 

Perry, 49, was found off Mālaekahana Beach on Oahu’s North Shore by local surfers with an arm and a leg missing,  according to Stab Magazine.

He was catching waves during a break from lifeguard duties when tragedy struck. 

Perry appeared to suffer more than possible shark bite, responders said. 

Lifeguards then brought Perry to shore by jet ski and paramedics pronounced him dead, officials said in a news conference.

Shark warnings were posted in the area by Ocean Safety personnel following the attack. 

Perry was born in 1975 and raised on the east side of Oahu, making his career on the North Shore both as a professional surfer and later as a lifeguard.

He started surfing at the age of 12, and by the time he was a teenager, Perry was considered the ‘quiet up-and-coming local boy who had to borrow surf boards because he had no sponsors,’ according to The Encyclopedia of Surfing.

‘By 1997, the wiry goofy-footer had gone a long way to developing a tube riding style, combining traits from Gerry Lopez and Tom Carroll, his two favorite old-school Pipeline surfers,’ it says.

Two years later, Perry would win the Pipeline Masters, and by 2005, Perry was widely regarded as one of Pipelines most prominent surfers – gaining attention for his smile and casual poise as he battled large waves.

His charisma and skills also landed him roles in the 2002 hit Blue Crush, Lost, the Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, and Hawaii Five-0.

Perry also did commercials for Nissan Xterra, which aired during NFL playoffs and the Winter Olympics, as well as a spot for Coca-Cola, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports.

He eventually joined Ocean Safety in 2016, and started to share his passion for surfing by creating the Oahu Surfing Experience with his wife, Emilia. 

‘As a devoted waterman, I’ve gained a tremendous amount of knowledge, not only from what I’ve accomplished, but also from what I’ve suffered,’ he wrote in his bio for the surfing school.

In the blurb, Perry revealed that he came close to losing his life, but was inspired to make the most of each day as a result.  

‘A number of years ago, while surfing Pipeline on the Extra Large size, I was involved in a near fatal experience,’ he said, without going into specifics.

‘The incident happened all because of someone else’s lack of awareness.

‘The lessons I’ve taken from that event have inspired me to my goal of instilling proper surf etiquette and safety to those whom I teach.’ 

Honolulu Ocean Safety Acting Chief Kurt Lager said: ‘Tamayo Perry was a lifeguard loved by all, well-known on the North Shore, a professional surfer known worldwide around the world.  

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

‘Our condolences go out to Tamayo’s family and to the entire lifeguard ohana. We’re asking for some privacy for his family at this time.’ 

Mayor Rick Blangiardi joined Lager in requesting Perry’s family be given time to grieve. 

He said the community was reeling from a ‘tragic loss’, adding: ‘Tamayo was a legendary waterman and highly respected […] a great member of our Ocean Safety team; it’s just really hard to imagine, so we just want to pay our respects to our guys.’

‘I hope everyone wishes the family the best honors and respects the situation.’

Jason Bitzer, who considered Perry to be like family, wrote a touching tribute on Facebook, sharing: ‘The things we have seen! My brother in Christ I love you brah! Tamayo, I won’t get over this until I see you in heaven.

‘Tamayo Perry you weren’t my friend you were my brother, the pain we’re collectively feeling is immense.’

Perry’s death marks the second fatal shark attack Oahu has seen this month.