Allan Wu

Allan Wu (Chinese: 吴振天; pinyin: Wú Zhèntiān, born Chinese: 吴振宇; pinyin: Wú Zhènyù on June 11, 1972) is a Singapore-based Chinese-American actor, host, VJ and former model.

Allan Wu
Born
吴振宇 (pinyin: Wú Zhènyù)

(1972-06-11) June 11, 1972
Los Angeles, California, United States
OccupationActor, host, model
Spouse(s)
​
​
(m. 2003; div. 2013)​
ChildrenSage Wu (daughter)
Jonas Wu (son)
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese吳振天
Simplified Chinese吴振天

He is perhaps best known for being the host of 3 different editions of the popular reality game show, The Amazing Race. He was the host of 5 seasons of AXN Asia's The Amazing Race Asia, 3 seasons of International Channel Shanghai's The Amazing Race: China Rush and 4 seasons of Shenzhen Media Group's Chinese edition of The Amazing Race.

Wu decided to change his Chinese name because it was similar to Hong Kong film star Francis Ng (Chinese: 吳鎮宇; pinyin: Wú Zhènyù).[1]

Early life and education

Wu was born in Los Angeles, California, United States to Chinese immigrant parents from Shenyang, Liaoning, China. His first language was Mandarin as his parents spoke it at home.[2] He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in the United States and worked in the biotechnology industry for several years. He eventually discovered his desire to become an actor after an accident made him reassess his life. He did some modeling for a while and also participated in an episode of the reality competition series Fear Factor, where he placed 2nd. He moved to Hong Kong where he worked as an actor.[3]

Career

Despite struggling with limited knowledge of Cantonese, MTV Taiwan gave him a stint as a VJ, during which he co-hosted a Christmas concert. He moved to Singapore and began acting in Chinese language drama series on Channel 8.

He has been the host for all five seasons of The Amazing Race Asia. He is also the host of The Amazing Race: China Rush, the Chinese version of The Amazing Race. In Season 16 of the American version of the Amazing Race, Allan Wu made a cameo appearance in Singapore, handing out clues.

Personal life

In September 2011, Wu and his family relocated to Shanghai, China to be nearer to job commitments.[4]

Wu was married to former Mediacorp actress Wong Li Lin and they have a daughter Sage and son Jonas. Sage was 1 and a half years older than Jonas, she was born in 2004 while he was born in 2006. The couple is managed by Fly Entertainment.[5] In 2013, the couple separated.[6]

Filmography
Television
YearWorkRoleNotes
2002Bukit Ho Swee 河水山
Beautiful Connection 九层糕Du Zhengyu
The Unbeatables III 双天至尊IIIDing Wei
2003True Heroes 真心英雄Wang Feng 王峰
A Child's Hope 孩有明天
Always On My Mind 无炎的爱
2004My In-Laws 我的岳父岳母
  • Sitcom
A Child's Hope II 孩有明天II
Fear Factor
  • 1 episode
2005My Lucky Charm 情来运转
Baby Blues 谁家母鸡不生蛋
2006C.I.D. 刑警二人组Steve
House of Joy 欢乐满屋Zheng Sanji 郑三吉
Police & Thief
  • Sitcom; 1 episode
2011Miss Universe ChinaHost
  • Hosting
2012Rally On
  • Channel 5 Production
2014Mata Mata: A New EraAlan Leong
  • Channel 5 Production
2018Divided
分裂
  • Male lead
  • Toggle Original Series
2019C.L.I.F 5 警微天职之海岸卫队Alexis
Film
YearWorkRoleNotes
2011Overheard 2 窃听风云2
2010Love Cuts
2008Kung Fu Hip HopTang Ge
2008The Leap YearsSteven
2005I Do I Do 爱都爱都Chen Jianfeng 陈健锋
2004Rice Rhapsody 海南雞飯Ronald
2003Night Corridor 妖夜迴廊Vincent Sze
1999Never Compromise 逆我者死Chun Yu Ng

Accolades
Star Awards – Acting Awards
YearCategoryNominated workResult
2002Best NewcomerN/ANominated

Shows
YearShowNotes
2003Discover Australia 奥妙无及现
2005Hua Yu, Cool!Mediacorp Channel 5 [7]
2006-nowThe Amazing Race Asia
2010The Amazing Race 16Cameo appearance
2010–2012The Amazing Race: China Rush
2014–nowThe Amazing Race ChinaFrom Season 1 Episode 3

Brand Ambassador/ Spokesperson
YearBrandNotes
2003TAG Heuer[8]
2009Carlsberg[9]
2014Oakley[10]

References
  1. "What's Up with My Chinese Name??". Archived from the original on 25 January 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-01.
  2. "Allan Wu back in the race". AsiaOne. 10 February 2012.
  3. Men’s Health, November 2006
  4. "Allan Wu's culture shock". The New Paper. 6 September 2011. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011.
  5. "Amazing Race Asia a 'wild ride' for Allan Wu". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 2006-11-01.
  6. Yap, Desmond (17 June 2013). "Allan Wu & Wong Li Ling divorced due to affair". Yahoo. Yahoo News Singapore. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
  7. "Be cool and catch Hua Yu, Cool!" (18 January 2005). Today. 18 January 2005. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  8. "A new star for TAG Heuer". Newspaper SG. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  9. "早早报喜!". eAdvine February 2009. Singapore Press Holdings. Archived from the original on 2014-08-11. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  10. "When Oakley Meets Ferrari". GolfPunk-Singapore Edition. Archived from the original on 5 August 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2014.


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