thefive0s:

Five0 EXCLUSIVE

Celebrity Spotlight - Photo Neil Jacobs /CBS

An interview with tonight’s Hawaii Five-0 guest star, Cary Hiroyuki-Tagawa

  By @MaryWunschGreer

I had the great honor to chat by phone with Cary Hiroyuki-Tagawa. Cary is guest starring as “Hiro Noshimuri” in tonight’s Hawaii Five 0 episode, “Ke Kenohi.” The title in Hawaiian means “new beginnings” or “a beginning of a series of events.”

For Cary, returning home to Hawaii to star in this episode is a homecoming and a new beginning for himself both professionally and personally. First, tonight’s appearance begins what could be a recurring role in CBS’s top new show of the season! And secondly, Cary will begin to offer programs in Hawaii and Japan  based on a personal philosophy he has developed these past thirty plus years not only as an actor, but as a martial artist and healer.

Cary got his first big break when he starred in the 1987 movie, “The Last Emperor.” Over the last 24 years, his films have grossed more than $1.5 billion in worldwide box office and garnered 13 Academy awards while he had another 70 appearances on TV shows and series.

Q:  How do you feel your character, “Hiro Noshimuri” fits into the theme of tonight’s episode, “Ke Kenohi?”

A:  While I can’t give anything away, here is a bit of a background.  As you already know, McGarrett returned home to find out who killed his father and accepted the Governor’s offer to run Hawaii Five-0 task force. Tonight, McGarrett meets up with Hiro, a well-respected local businessman and highly regarded friend of the Governor. But there is more to Hiro, especially his connection to another character, “Wo Fat!” McGarrett learns the names to his nightmare regarding his family through a series of events that begins tonight.

Q:  So we may see more of “Hiro” after tonight’s episode?

A:  I would love to play Hiro in a recurring role!  And I think the fans will too! 

Q: BTW, how did you get the name Cary?  It is not a traditional Japanese name!

A: My mom was a famous Japanese actress before she married my father, a Japanese-American born in Hawaii.  She loved going to the movies and while I was named after Cary Grant, my brother was named after Gregory Peck!

Q: As you must know, the fans want to hear what it was like to work with Alex O’Loughlin, Scott Caan and Mark Dacascos!  Got anything you can share with us about them?!

A:  Alex and I really connected as actors.  Alex is like me, we love to bring intensity to the characters we play.  Alex is a classically trained method actor and is totally focused and committed. He is an actor’s actor!  He is also an Aussie, did you know that? A real Aussie alpha male!

Scott is a real street smart guy, has great instincts as an actor - I’ve enjoyed his film work.  We’ve shared the same Venice Beach California experience. I found out we have friends in common!  We are also the sons of celebrities.

Mark is a Hawaii local and comes from a very gifted martial arts family. He brings such integrity to his acting! In fact, In fact, at one point we almost co-starred in a martial arts movie. I look forward to that opportunity!  I can’t wait to have more scenes with him and see how he brings “Wo Fat” to life.

Q: Can you share any stories about what actors go through to play a role?

A: “One role would be as the “Good Ape” in the 2001 remake of the “Planet of the Apes.” Tim Burton asked if I mind being in the makeup chair for ‘awhile’ each day of filming.  I told him it would be no problem.  Little did I realize, (in addition to the 8 to 10 hours of filming), I would be sitting for 4 hours each before and after filming in that makeup chair.  Not once, but for 42 times!  I don’t think I got much sleep during that film shoot!”

Q: Who was the most influential person in your life and why?

 A:  Ahh, that’s easy. It would have to be my Mom. She instilled in me the desire to become an actor.  She was born into an aristocratic family in Japan and was the first to pursue a career in acting.  She was a renegade in that respect.  I have an uncle who became the first Japanese male model and another uncle who became one of Japan’s top Jazz musicians.  But my mom led the way! 

Mom took me to my first movie when I was eight to see Shirley MacLaine in “Some Come Running.” Although I didn’t fully understand the drama, I could sense and see the emotional content in the actors’ performances. I was hooked! 

I also admire Bruce Lee, Jimmy Hendrix and the Dalai Lama.  I bet you never thought to see those three men on the same list!”

Q:  Acting has been your day job.  What other career interests do you have?

A:  What most people don’t know is that I was a healer long before I began acting. It is my first love. As the founder of a 33 year old Post-New Age breathing modality called Chuu Shin, I combined my experience in Martial Arts and Sports. I was always a very physical child. I always played sports which naturally led to the study of Martial Arts but Chuu Shin* was founded upon leaving my traditional study.

*Chuu Shin represents the best of Tagawa’s Sports and Martial Arts history. It combines the Western external physical training with Eastern internal energy systems, especially through breath work and its effects on healing. 

Q:  What’s up next for you?

A: Finally at the age of 60 I am doing what I was born to do! I’ve always felt such connection to Hawaii since my father was born in the islands and I have lived and worked there myself. I want to share my passions for acting and movie/TV production, healing and the martial arts through teaching.  I am in the midst of starting a Hawaii-based foundation for children.

Be sure to watch Cary as “Hiro Noshimuri” on Hawaii Five-0 tonight! Want to talk with Cary about #H50? Then be on Twitter tonight and follow @CHTagawa and ask questions!

If you have more questions for Cary and about the show please tweet me @marywunschgreer or at www.twitter.com/marywunschgreer and I will get the answers! Stay tuned and follow my upcoming new list, “H50s” about everything H50!

To watch a preview of tonight’s epi: http://t.co/wYnU4VA

At first glance I actually mistook Cary Hiroyuki-Tagawa with Kwan Hi Lim who played Lt. Yoshi Tanaka, police officer of Honolulu Police Department :-)