Yann Arnaud, 38, was taking part in aerial performance while suspending above the stage by straps when he fell.
The French Cirque du Soleil performer died later in hospital after the 38-year-old entertainer appeared to lose his grip before he fell, according to local media reports.
Harrowing video shows the moment Mr Arnaud lost his grip and crashed into the stage below, as the audience watched on.
The show was brought to a halt after the performer’s, who has 15 years experience with Cirque, tragic accident.
A witness to the accident described how the audience reacted to Mr Arnaud’s injuries.
Julian Martinez told WFLA: “It was awful.
“You heard all the cries of the audience.
“There were children there and they were freaking out.”
In a statement, Cirque du Soleil said it was “shocked and devastated” by the death of the husband and father-of-two.
Cirque du Soleil said: “While he was performing the aerial straps number, long-time aerialist, Yann Arnaud, fell onto the stage.
“Emergency procedures were immediately activated and Yann was transported to the nearest hospital, where he later passed away from his injuries.”
Cirque du Soleil has cancelled the last two shows that were scheduled for Tampa.
The company said it was cooperating with authorities looking into what happened.
Tampa police said the incident is under investigation by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
This is not the first time a Cirque du Soleil member has died in an on-stage incident in the USA.
In 2013, a performer died after falling off a stage in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand, which was believed to be the first fatality during a live performance in the show’s 30-year history.
And, in December 2016, Olivier Rochelle, the son of the show’s founder, died in an “industrial accident”, when he was struck by a telescopic lift.