Kenneth Ma

For the Hong Kong racing driver, see Kenneth Ma (racing driver).
Kenneth Ma
Chinese name 馬國明 (traditional)
Chinese name 马国明 (simplified)
Pinyin Mǎ Guómíng (Mandarin)
Jyutping Maa5 Gwok3 Ming4 (Cantonese)
Born (1974-02-13) 13 February 1974
Hong Kong
Other name(s) Ma Ming (馬明)
Occupation Actor
Years active 1999present
Ancestry Chaozhou, Guangdong, China
This is a Chinese name; the family name is Ma (馬).

Kenneth Ma Kwok-ming (born 13 February 1974) is a Hong Kong-born Canadian actor, with family roots in Chaozhou, Guangdong. He is currently based in Hong Kong. He speaks Cantonese, Mandarin and English. Ma is currently under the management of TVB.

Biography

Early life

The youngest of a three child family, he has older twin sisters. He attended Delia International School before immigrating with his family to Vancouver, Canada in 1992. His father who worked as an mechanical engineer would travel back and forth between Hong Kong and Vancouver for work. At first his family lived in Richmond before settling in Port Coquitlam. After attending one semester at Douglas College, he transferred to University of British Columbia majoring in Mechanical engineering. During college Ma joined an acting troupe that would perform sketches. After graduating from college in 1998, Ma and his entire family decided to return to Hong Kong since Hong Kong life was more suited for them.[1]

Career

When Ma returned to Hong Kong he initially worked at a glass manufacture as a quality surveillance inspector but found his job boring.[2] Hoping to find something more of his interest he sent out over 70 resumes but only received a response from TVB for an interview notice to their 14th Artist Training Class. His starting salary at TVB was a meager estimated HK$4000.00 a month, one third of his former job salary, but since he found acting to be more suitable for him he decided to join TVB.

In the beginning his career at TVB was often playing supporting roles as extras, passers-by and fill ins. One of Ma's early roles was playing the giant cockroach Sui Kung in Dayo Wong's music video “Blue Sky”. However within 5 years since graduating from TVB's training course the company started to promote him when he was chosen as one of the S4's for 2004's drama “Triumph in the Skies[3] and later as one of the six sui sangs to be the "Olympic 6" (the others being Sammul Chan, Ron Ng, Bosco Wong, Raymond Lam and Lai Lok-yi) during the 2004 Athens Olympic games. In 2006, he won the "Most improved actor awards at the 39th TVB Awards. He was handed his first leading role in the drama serial Survivor's Law II opposite Hong Kong singer Ella Koon. The drama aired in 2008 and achieved credible ratings of 31 points in the second half of its broadcast as well as a favorable reception. Ma's role in The Hippocratic Crush, earned him awards both from Malaysia (Most Favorite Leading Actor) and Hong Kong (Most Favorite Male Character).

In 2013 after starring in Triumph in the Skies II, Ma caught the eye of international star Jackie Chan and was invited to star in the romantic comedy "Fate Is a Game".[4]

Personal life

Ma lives with his parents in a 900 square feet flat located in Tai Koo City, Hong Kong. He has said that his future wife must get along with his parents and be able to live together with them.[5]

He is known to commute to work via mass transit even though he owns a car.[6]

During his youth Ma and his mother were Leslie Cheung fan's. Ma's mother even named her western name after Cheung's hit song "Monica". At age 14 Ma was featured in Cheung's 1988 Pepsi commercial.[7]

Ma is an avid soccer fan. His favorite teams are Real Madrid, Manchester United and AC Milan.

His favorite cartoon character is Donald Duck because he thinks Donald has a cute butt and personality that is more real than Mickey Mouse. Ma has been collecting Donald Duck memorabilia since he was young.[8]

Ma nickname within his peers is "Hot property" because of his bachelor status and being a known filial son who is thrifty.

During his early years at TVB Ma has said he had a crush on actress Sharon Chan and had even considered pursuing her but gave up on the idea due to his meager salary and Chan already having a boyfriend at that time.[9]

Out of all of his rumored relationships Ma has only admitted to dating fellow TVB actress Nancy Wu. Ma admitted to the relationship due to tabloids depicting Wu negatively in the press. The two became close while collaborating in "Strictly Come Dancing" and dated for less than a year.[10]

In January 2013, his frequent co-star Selena Li made a pact with Ma that the two will get together if they are still single in 5 years.[11]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2003 The Final Shot TV movie
Double Crossing TV movie
2004 The Healing Spirit Angel (extra) TV movie
Life in the Balance Sit-in student (extra) TV movie
親密殺機 Cop (extra) TV movie
2010 72 Tenants of Prosperity Firefighter Cameo
2014 Impetuous Love in Action
2015 Truimph in the Skies Roy Ko (高志宏)

[12] [13]

Television dramas

Year Title Role Notes
1999 A Witness to a Prosecution Prince (extra) Episode 12
At the Threshold of an Era Stanley
2000 At the Threshold of an Era II Doctor (extra)
Ups and Downs extra
When Dreams Come True Real estate manager
War of the Genders Franco Episode 7
Return of the Cuckoo Chuk Kwan-ho's classmate
The Legendary Four Aces Suzhou citizen
Healing Hands II extra
Colourful Life extra Episodes 24
2001 Gods of Honour Physician Makes an appearance in episode 28
Armed Reaction III EODB crew member (extra) Episode 9
The Heaven Sword & the Dragon Sabre 2000 Servant in a restaurant (extra) When Gigi Lai first appears
Virtues of Harmony Yat Yeung Chi / Beggar / Hawker / Ma On-shan
A Step into the Past Kam Ching's deceased husband (extra) Episode 34
Law Enforcers extra
2002 Good Against Evil Sam Episode 11-15
Invisible Journey extra
Love is Beautiful Prison guard / Scholar / Soldier (extra)
The White Flame Doctor (extra)
Treasure Raiders Chow Chi-kong
Police Station No. 7 Cop (extra)
Burning Flame II Billy
Eternal Happiness Lai Ming-tong
Slim Chances Peter
Golden Faith Doctor
Take My Word for It SDU team leader
Love and Again Manager A
Whatever It Takes Servant/Guard (extra)
2003 The King of Yesterday and Tomorrow Party Guest (extra) Episode 8
The Threat of Love II extra
Better Halves Tai Hon
Survivor's Law Joe Chan
Not Just a Pretty Face Ma Siu-tung
The Driving Power Ko Wai-lei
Triumph in the Skies Roy Ko
Point of No Return extra
2004 Net Deception David
The Vigilante in the Mask Au-yeung Hing
Armed Reaction IV Andy
Dream of Colours Lui Siu-lung
The Last Breakthrough Doctor Shek
2005 Strike At Heart Patient Episode 2
Wong Fei Hung – Master of Kung Fu Kan Kin
Lost in the Chamber of Love Emperor Tak-chung
Scavengers' Paradise Tang King-chan Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Most Improved Male Artiste (Top 5)
Into Thin Air Koon Ching-wan Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Best Supporting Actor (Top 5)
Misleading Track Vincent
Life Made Simple Jason Episode 28
The Herbalist's Manual Pong Hin TVB Anniversary Award for Most Improved Male Artiste
2006 La Femme Desperado Ko Chi-lik TVB Anniversary Award for Most Improved Male Artiste
Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Best Supporting Actor (Top 20)
Love Guaranteed Tim Kwok Fu-kan TVB Anniversary Award for Most Improved Male Artiste
Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor (Top 20)
To Grow With Love Mak Kar-fai TVB Anniversary Award for Most Improved Male Artiste
2007 The Brink of Law Yan Heung-ming Episode 1-8
The Family Link Kam Shing-chun Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Best Supporting Actor (Top 20)
2007-2008 Survivor's Law II Sun Man-kwan (MK Sun) Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor (Top 10)
Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character (Top 5)
2008 The Master of Tai Chi Mai Fung-nin Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Best Supporting Actor (Top 10)
D.I.E. Senior Inspector Hugo Shing Ka-chun
The Money-Maker Recipe Sun Man-kwan (MK Sun) Episode 3
Speech of Silence Leung Kai-yin (OK Jai)
Your Class or Mine Sun Man-kwan (MK Sun) Episodes 1819
The Four Iron Fist / Tit Yau-ha
2009 Man in Charge Chow Bing Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character (Top 15)
Nominated — Asian Television Award for Best Comedy Performance by an Actor/Actress
In the Chamber of Bliss Yue Yam-kwok
Born Rich Sha Po-loi Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Best Supporting Actor (Top 5)
2010 Don Juan DeMercado Himself Episode 6
A Fistful of Stances Koo Yue-tong Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character (Top 5)
The Mysteries of Love Senior Inspector Gordon Lo Tin-hang Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Best Supporting Actor (Top 15)
Can't Buy Me Love Ting Yau-wai
2011 Grace Under Fire Yau Sam-shui
Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir! Jack Episode 30
The Other Truth Alex Kong Lok-man Episodes 2025
The Life and Times of a Sentinel Fuk-tsuen, the Second Imperial Prince Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor (Top 15)
2012 The Hippocratic Crush Dr. Cheung Yat-kin TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite TV Male Character
Performing Artist 2012 Outstanding Television Performance Actor
My AOD Favourites Awards for My Favourite Actor in Leading Role
My AOD Favourites Awards for Top 15 Most Favourite TV Characters
My AOD Favourites Awards for My Favourite On-Screen Couple (with Tavia Yeung)
Nominated-TVB Anniversary Award 2012 for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Top 5)
Tiger Cubs To Tin-yue Episodes 1, 13
Three Kingdoms RPG Vincent Szema Shun
Silver Spoon, Sterling Shackles Charles Chung Kai-san
2013 Season of Love Joe Chu Cho-On
Triumph in the Skies II Roy Ko Chi-wang Nominated-TVB Anniversary Awards 2013 for Best Supporting Actor
The Hippocratic Crush II Dr. Cheung Yat-kin Best Leading Actor in TVB 46th Anniversary Gala Popularity Vote
Nominated-TVB Anniversary Awards 2013 for Best Actor (Top 5)
Nominated-TVB Anniversary Awards 2013 for Most Favourite TV Male Character
TVB Star Awards Malaysia 2013 for Top 15 Most Favourite TV Characters
TVB Star Awards Malaysia 2013 for Most Favourite On-Screen Couple (with Tavia Yeung)
2014 Ghost Dragon of Cold Mountain Chu Cheng-Sing
A Time of Love Oscar Episode 2
Come On, Cousin TV King Episode 2
2015 Noblesse Oblige To Chan-fung StarHub TVB Award for My Favourite TVB Male TV Character
Nominated-StarHub TVB Award for My Favourite TVB Actor
Lord of Shanghai Young Kiu Ngo Tin Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor
2016 A Time of Love II Oscar Episode 1
ICAC Investigators 2016 Roger
Inspector Gourmet Bill Kei Yeung Tak-kei
Rogue Emperor Chu Gam-chun
Post-Production Bet Hur OK Jai
Mind Hunter TBA
Filming Demon-Conquering Taxi TBA
Pre-Production Deep in the Realm of Conscience TBA

References

  1. Kenneth Ma Will Only Choose Girlfriend Who Gets Along With His Family. Retrieved 7-19-2014
  2. Kenneth Ma Speaks About His Career. Retrieved 7-19-2014
  3. Hot Favourite Dark Horse - Kenneth Ma. Retrieved 7-19-2014
  4. Kenneth Ma to Star in Jackie Chan’s New Movie. Retrieved 7-19-2014
  5. Kenneth Ma Pays $500,000 HKD for Father’s Surgery. Retrieved 7-19-2014
  6. Kenneth Ma takes subway to work. Retrieved 7-19-2014
  7. Leslie Cheung 1988 Pepsi Commercial. Retrieved 7-19-2014
  8. Donald Duck Number One Fan. Retrieved 7-19-2014
  9. Kenneth Ma Admits to Dating Three Times. Retrieved 7-19-2014
  10. Kenneth Ma and Nancy Wu: “We Are Ex-Lovers!”. Retrieved 7-19-2014
  11. Selena Li Will Consider Kenneth Ma If Still Single in 5 Years. Retrieved 7-19-2014
  12. Kenneth Ma at imdb.com
  13. Kenneth Ma at chinesemov.com

External links

Awards and achievements
TVB Anniversary Awards
Preceded by
Bosco Wong
for Wars of In-laws
Most Improved Actor
2006
for The Herbalist's Manual ; La Femme Desperado ; Love Guaranteed ; To Grow With Love
Succeeded by
Amigo Choi
for Sccop ; E-Buzz ; Jade Solid Gold ; Enjoy Yourself Tonight 2007
Preceded by
Kevin Cheng
for Ghetto Justice
My Favourite Male Character
2012
for The Hippocratic Crush
Succeeded by
incumbent
My AOD Favourite Awards
Preceded by
Kevin Cheng
for Ghetto Justice
Best Actor in a Leading Role
2012
for The Hippocratic Crush
Succeeded by
incumbent
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