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Tzi Ma

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tzi Ma
Ma in 2016
Born (1962-06-10) June 10, 1962 (age 62)
British Hong Kong
NationalityAmerican
OccupationActor
Years active1979–present
Spouse
Christina Ma
​
(m. 1994)​
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese馬泰
Simplified Chinese马泰
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinMǎ Tài
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationMáh Taai
JyutpingMaa5 Tai3
Websitewww.tzima.com

Tzi Ma (Chinese: 馬泰; born June 10, 1962[dubious – discuss][1][2][3]) is a Hong Kong-American actor. He has appeared in television shows including The Man in the High Castle and 24, and films including Dante's Peak, Rush Hour, Rush Hour 3, Arrival, The Farewell, Tigertail, and Mulan. From 2021 to 2023, he starred in the American martial arts television series Kung Fu on The CW.

Early life and education

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Ma was born in Hong Kong, the youngest of seven children.[4][5] In 1949, Ma's father moved to Hong Kong following the Chinese Communist Revolution, and then to the United States when Ma was five years old, following political turmoil in Hong Kong.[5] Ma grew up in New York, where his parents ran an American Chinese restaurant, Ho Wah, in Staten Island.[5] According to Ma, immigration activist Lau Sing Kee previously operated the restaurant.[2] Ma found his love for acting when he played Buffalo Bill in an elementary school production of Annie Get Your Gun.[5]

Career

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Tzi Ma as a young man.
Tzi Ma in the late 1970s.

Ma has deep ties to theatre.[6] He cites Mako's performance in Pacific Overtures in 1976 as a major influence on his acting career.[4] He is close friends with playwright David Henry Hwang, having collaborated with him on several plays, such as FOB, Yellow Face, Flower Drum Song, and The Dance and the Railroad, throughout the years and starring in the film, Golden Gate (1993), which was written by Hwang.[6] Ma started professionally acting in 1973 through experimental theater.[4] At that time, he was in a residency at Nassau Community College studying acting and teaching movement.[6] His first theatre performance was in 1975 at an outdoor theater in Roosevelt State Park as the Monkey King in a stage adaptation of a Beijing opera titled, Monkey King in the Yellow Stone King.[7][6] He estimated that there were about 5 to 10 thousand audience members in attendance.[6]

Ma also practiced martial arts prior to doing film work.[8] He leveraged those skills in his film debut as Jimmy Lee in Cocaine Cowboys (1979).[8]

During the 1988 Writers Guild of America strike, Ma found work at South Coast Repertory in Orange County playing various characters in the play, In Perpetuity Throughout the Universe. The play closed the weekend the strike ended, and by the following week, he had secured a role in the L.A. Law television series.[6] In 1994, he was the assistant director on a stage production of Maxine Hong Kingston's The Woman Warrior by the Berkeley Repertory Theatre.[9]

His major film roles include credits in The Quiet American, the remake of The Ladykillers, Dante's Peak, and Tigertail. Additionally, he has appeared as Consul Han in the Rush Hour series, General Shang, the commander of the Chinese military in Denis Villeneuve's Arrival (2016),[10] and Hua Zhou in Niki Caro's Disney live-action adaptation of Mulan (2020).[11]

Ma has appeared in numerous Asian American-produced independent films, such as Red Doors, Catfish in Black Bean Sauce (1999), Baby (2007), The Sensei (2008), and The Farewell (2019).

Ma was interviewed for The Slanted Screen (2006), a documentary directed by Jeff Adachi about the representation of Asian, primarily East Asian, men in Hollywood.

Television

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Ma had a recurring role as Cheng Zhi, the head of security for the Chinese Consulate (Los Angeles), on the television series 24, first appearing in the series's fourth season and reprising the role in 24: Live Another Day. He also voiced Bàba Ling, Francine's adoptive father, in the animated TV series American Dad!

He also had a role in the first season of Martial Law as Lee "Nemesis" Hei, first major antagonist and Sammo Law's arch-nemesis.

Ma's other TV credits include guest appearances on MacGyver, Walker, Texas Ranger, Law & Order, ER, Boomtown, Commander in Chief, Chicago Hope, The Unit, Star Trek: The Next Generation, L.A. Law, NYPD Blue, Millennium, Fringe, Cold Case, NCIS: Los Angeles, Hawaii Five-0, Lie to Me, The Cosby Show, Grey's Anatomy, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Hell on Wheels. Ma also had a voice role in the video game Sleeping Dogs. He also appeared on the ABC series Once Upon a Time as "The Dragon".[12] He also appeared as a zen master on the USA series Satisfaction.[13]

He appeared as General Onoda in the Amazon show The Man In The High Castle and as Tao on AMC’s Hell On Wheels.[10] In July 2018, it was announced that Ma was cast in the recurring role of Mr. Young on the Netflix series Wu Assassins.[14][15]

In 2020, Ma was cast as a series regular in The CW's modern reboot of Kung Fu (1972). The show was renewed for a second season in May 2021.[16]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1979 Cocaine Cowboys Jimmy Lee Film debut
1981 They All Laughed Extra Uncredited
1986 The Money Pit Hwang
1990 RoboCop 2 Tak Akita
1992 Rapid Fire Kinman Tau
1993 Golden Gate Chen Jung Song
1995 Make a Wish, Molly David Wong Short film
1996 Chain Reaction Lu Chen
1997 Dante's Peak Stan
Red Corner Li Cheng
1998 Rush Hour Solon Han
1999 Catfish in Black Bean Sauce Vinh
2002 The Quiet American Hinh
2004 The Ladykillers The General
2005 Red Doors Ed Wong
2006 Akeelah and the Bee Mr. Chiu
2007 Baby Pops
Rush Hour 3 Solon Han
Battle in Seattle The Governor
2008 The Sensei Buddhist Monk
Management Truc Quoc
All God's Children Can Dance Glen
2009 Formosa Betrayed Kuo
2012 The Campaign Mr. Zheng
2013 Mad in Chinatown Hangman Short film
2014 A Good Man Mr. Chen
Million Dollar Arm Chang
Sutures Jim Short film
2015 Diablo Quok Mi
Baby Steps Mr. Lin
Pali Road Arnold Zhang
2016 Arrival General Shang
2017 Meditation Park Bing [17]
The Jade Pendant Yu Hing
2018 Skyscraper Fire Chief Zheng
2019 The Farewell Haiyan Wang
2020 Mulan Hua Zhou[18][19]
Tigertail Pin-Jui[20]
The Kid Detective Mr. Chang
2022 A Father's Son Krang Li Short film

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1984 The Cosby Show Mr. Lee Episode: "Father's Day"
1985 The Equalizer Lin Episode: "China Rain"
1989 L.A. Law Ed Chang Episode: "Victor/Victorious"
Star Trek: The Next Generation Physiologist Episode: "Samaritan Snare"
MacGyver Wing Lee Episode: "Children of Light"
1990 Yellowthread Street Detective Eddie Pak 6 episodes
Forbidden Nights Li Dao Television film
Midnight Caller Arthur Chang Episode: "The Language Barrier"
Head of the Class Kwong Episode: "Be My Baby... Sitter"
1993 Street Justice Bryn To Chi Episode: "Honor and Trust"
1994 The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. Chan Episode: "And Baby Makes Three"
1996 JAG Inspector Chang Episode: "The Prisoner"
1994–2001 NYPD Blue Detective Harold Ng 3 episodes
1996–2000 Nash Bridges Jimmy Zee
1998–99 Martial Law Lee Hei 5 episodes
1998–99 Millennium Dr. Takashi
Capt. Youfook Law 		2 episodes
2000 Chicago Hope Mr. Wang Episode: "Hanlon's Choice"
The Pretender Ki Mok/Chen Thon Episode: "The Agent of Year Zero"
City of Angels Dr. Henry Lu 4 episodes
Walker, Texas Ranger General Nimh Episode: "The General's Return"
2001 Gideon's Crossing Dr. To 2 episodes
2002 The Bernie Mac Show Ed Episode: "Mac 101"
ER Liam Young Episode: "Tell Me Where It Hurts"
Boomtown Roger Lam Episode: "The David McNorris Show"
Law & Order Li Chen Episode: "The Wheel"
2003 The Practice Tang Jingyu Episode: "Equal Justice"
2004 Jake 2.0 Nanda Sang Episode: "Upgrade"
Hawaii Joseph Dao Episode: "No Man Is an Island"
2005 JAG Admiral Lutarno Episode: "Straits of Malacca"
2005–07 24 Cheng Zhi 13 episodes
2006 Commander in Chief Chinese Ambassador 2 episodes
The Unit Rudolph Hatano Episode: "200th Hour"
Deadwood Mahjong Player Episode: "True Colors"
2007 Dragon Boys Henry Wah 2 episodes
2007–13 American Dad! Bah Bah Ling Voice role; 10 episodes
2008 Grey's Anatomy Patterson Episode: "All by Myself"
2009 The Beast Kim Nam Episode: "Bitsy Big-Boy"
Dirty Sexy Money Tsung Shien Chun Episode: "The Bad Guy"
Cold Case Bo-Lin Chen '09 Episode: "Chinatown"
Fringe Ming Che Episode: "Snakehead"
Dollhouse Matsu Episode: "The Attic"
2010 NCIS: Los Angeles Jun Lee Episode: "Chinatown"
Lie to Me Mr. Chen Episode: "Teacher and Pupils"
The Whole Truth Judge Garrett Episode: "When Cougars Attack"
2011 Hawaii Five-O Chi Episode: "He Kane Hewa' Ole (An Innocent Man)"
CHAOS Quon Episode: "Two Percent"
2012 Perception Professor Arthur Wei Episode: "Cipher"
Vegas Watanabe Episode: "Estinto"
2013 Saving Hope Dr. Lin Episode: "The Face of the Giant Panda"
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Quan Episode: "Girl in the Flower Dress"
2013–16 Once Upon a Time The Dragon 3 episodes
2014 24: Live Another Day Cheng Zhi
State of Affairs Premier Chu Jian Episode: "Half the Sky"
2014–15 Satisfaction Zen Master
Frank 		9 episodes
2015 Hell on Wheels Tao 6 episodes
2016 Elementary Xi Hai Ching Episode: "Who Is That Masked Man?"
Man Seeking Woman Master Sheng Episode: "Eel"
Stitchers De Deshei Episode: "The Dying Shame"
Angie Tribeca Joseph Takagi Episode: "Miso Dead"
The Man in the High Castle General Onoda 6 episodes
2016–17 Veep Lu Chi-Jung 3 episodes
2017 Ransom Senator Vang Episode: "Say What You Did"
The Catch Kenji Yoshida Episode: "The Hammer"
Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders Inspector Cheong Episode: "Cinderella and the Dragon"
2018 Silicon Valley Factory Manager Yao 2 episodes
The Resident Ted Zhou Episode: "Haunted"
2018–19 Star Wars Resistance Senator Hamato Xiono Voice role; 2 episodes
2019 Wu Assassins Mr. Young 6 episodes
2020 Bosch Brent Charles 2 episodes
A Sugar & Spice Holiday Pete Yung Television film
2021–23 Kung Fu Jin Chen 39 episodes
2024 Interior Chinatown Joe Wu

Awards

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Ma has received awards for his acting roles including the Cine Golden Eagle Award for Best Actor for The Dance and The Railroad and the Garland Award for his acting in Flower Drum Song.

References

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  1. ^ "Tzi Ma biography and filmography | Tzi Ma movies". Tribute. Archived from the original on 2022-09-08. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  2. ^ a b Yap, Audrey Cleo (2020-09-04). "How 'Mulan's' Tzi Ma Became Hollywood's Go-To Asian Dad (Watch)". Variety. Archived from the original on 2021-03-03. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  3. ^ Chase's Calendar of Events 2023: The Ultimate Go-to Guide for Special Days ... Rowman & Littlefield. 21 November 2022. ISBN 978-1-63671-069-3. Archived from the original on 2023-04-25. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  4. ^ a b c #IAm Tzi Ma Story, archived from the original on 2020-03-06, retrieved 2019-12-22
  5. ^ a b c d "From '24' To 'Mulan:' Character Actor Tzi Ma". NPR.org. Archived from the original on 2019-12-22. Retrieved 2019-12-22.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Actor Tzi Ma Rides 'Hell On Wheels' to New Heights". AsAm News. 2015-09-01. Archived from the original on 2019-12-22. Retrieved 2019-12-22.
  7. ^ momo (2014-09-17). "Actor Tzi Ma in "Satisfaction" and "24"". CAAM Home. Archived from the original on 2019-12-22. Retrieved 2019-12-22.
  8. ^ a b Tzi Ma on The Farewell, Rush Hour, and working with the amazing Veep cast, archived from the original on 2020-01-02, retrieved 2019-12-22
  9. ^ Harmetz, Aljean (1994-06-05). "THEATER; It's Tough to Get Ghosts to Be Human on Stage". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2020-03-17. Retrieved 2020-03-17.
  10. ^ a b Derdeyn, Stuart (November 11, 2016). "Tzi Ma's big-screen Arrival comes on back of many varied roles". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on January 6, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  11. ^ Hipes, Patrick (August 13, 2018). "'Mulan' Rounds Out Cast, Reveals First-Look Photo As Filming Underway On Live-Action Movie". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 13, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  12. ^ "'Once Upon a Time': The Dragon Returns in Season 6!". ew.com. Archived from the original on 26 September 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  13. ^ Elavsky, Cindy (August 24, 2014). "Celebrity Extra". King Features. Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  14. ^ Petski, Denise (20 July 2018). "'Wu Assassins': Katheryn Winnick, Lewis Tan, Tommy Flanagan & Tzi Ma Join Netflix Martial Arts Drama". Deadline. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  15. ^ "'Tigertail's Tzi Ma Transcends Role As Hollywood's Go-To Asian Father To Become Trailblazing Icon". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  16. ^ Otterson, Joe (May 3, 2021). "'Kung Fu' Renewed for Season 2, 'Stargirl' Gets Season 3 at CW". Variety. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  17. ^ "Past Project – Meditation Park". Massey Productions Ltd. 2018-11-27. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  18. ^ "Mulan's Tzi Ma: After 120-Plus Roles, a Beloved Actor's Career Surges". Vanity Fair. 4 September 2020.
  19. ^ "'Mulan' Star Tzi Ma Recalls Racist Attack, Advocates for Others to #WashTheHate". Variety. 19 March 2020. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  20. ^ "Tzi Ma is already everyone's go-to Asian dad. Netflix's 'Tigertail' makes him the star". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
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