Kenneth Ma
Kenneth Ma Kwok-ming (born 13 February 1974) is a Hong Kong famous actor.[1] He speaks Cantonese, Mandarin and English.
Kenneth Ma | |||||||||||
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| Born | 13 February 1974 | ||||||||||
| Nationality | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Canada | ||||||||||
| Alma mater | Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia | ||||||||||
| Occupation | Actor | ||||||||||
| Years active | 1999–present | ||||||||||
| Partner(s) | Nancy Wu (2008–2010) Jacqueline Wong (2017–2019) Roxanne Tong (2020–present) | ||||||||||
| Awards | TVB Anniversary Awards – Most Improved Male Artiste 2006 The Herbalist's Manual ; La Femme Desperado ; Love Guaranteed ; To Grow With Love Most Popular Male Character 2019 Big White Duel | ||||||||||
| Musical career | |||||||||||
| Also known as | Ma Ming (馬明) | ||||||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 馬國明 | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 马国明 | ||||||||||
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Early life
The youngest of a three-child family, he has older twin sisters. He attended Salesian English School before immigrating with his family to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 1992. His father, who worked as a 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.[2]
Career
When Ma returned to Hong Kong, he initially worked at a glass manufacture as a quality surveillance inspector but found his job boring.[3] 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 Siu Keung 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 2003's drama Triumph in the Skies[4] 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 award at the 2006 TVB Anniversary 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 favorable ratings and reception. Ma's role as Dr. Cheung Yat-kin 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.[5]
In 2017, he starred as the first male lead in the critically acclaimed The Exorcist's Meter as taxi driver Ma Kwai (Siu Ma) in the series. Acknowledging his strong performance in that series, Ma is labelled as the citizen's best actor pick and became a strong contender for Best Actor award in the TVB Anniversary Awards 2017. He eventually won Most Favourite TV Male Character award in the TVB Anniversary Awards 2017, which is his second win in that category.
In 2018, Ma starred in Deep in the Realm of Conscience as one of the three male leads and won Most Favourite TV Male Character award in the TVB Anniversary Awards 2018, which is his third win in that category.
In 2019, Ma starred in Big White Duel as one of the two male leads. He eventually won Best Actor award in the TVB Anniversary Awards 2019 with his role as Dr. Tong Ming.
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.[6]
He is known to commute to work via mass transit even though he owns a car.[7]
During his youth Ma and his mother were Leslie Cheung's fans. 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.[8]
Ma is an avid soccer fan. His favorite teams are Real Madrid, Manchester United, and AC Milan.[9]
Ma met Jacqueline Wong in 2015 during the filming of Inspector Gourmet. The two announced their relationship in 2017. but broke up after Wong was discovered to be cheating on him with married star Andy Hui in April 2019.[10][11][12] June 2020 he started a relationship with a model named Roxanne Tong.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | The Final Shot | TV movie | |
| Double Crossing | TV movie | ||
| 2004 | The Healing Spirit | Angel | TV movie |
| Life in the Balance | Sit-in student | TV movie | |
| Double Crossing | Cop | TV movie | |
| 2010 | 72 Tenants of Prosperity | Firefighter | Cameo |
| 2014 | Impetuous Love in Action | ||
| 2015 | Triumph in the Skies | Roy Ko | |
| 2018 | Super Model Fantasy |
Television series
| 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 | ||
| Return of the Cuckoo | Chuk Kwan-ho's classmate | ||
| The Legendary Four Aces | Suzhou citizen | ||
| Healing Hands II | extra | ||
| Colourful Life | extra | Episodes 2–4 | |
| 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 | Vigilante Force (TV series) | Guest (extra) | Episode 4 |
| 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) |
| Summer Heat (TV series) | Adam | cameo appearance in episode 1 | |
| 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 | |
| The Battle Against Evil | Chu Soldier | 2002 Warehoused drama Cameo appearance in episode 1 | |
| 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 18–19 | |
| 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 Yu-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 20–25 | |
| The Life and Times of a Sentinel | Fuk-tsuen, the Second Imperial Prince | Nominated-TVB Anniversary Award 2011 for Best Actor in a Leading Role | |
| 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
TVB Star Awards Malaysia 2013 for Top 15 Most Favourite TV Characters TVB Star Awards Malaysia 2013 for My Favourite On-Screen Couple (with Tavia Yeung) Nominated - TVB Anniversary Awards 2013 for Best Actor (Top 5) Nominated - TVB Anniversary Awards 2013 for Most Favourite TV Male Character (Top 5) Nominated - TVB Star Awards Malaysia 2013 for My Favourite TVB Actor (Top 5) | |
| 2014 | Ghost Dragon of Cold Mountain | Chu Cheng-Sing | TVB Star Awards Malaysia 2014 for Top 15 My Favourite TV Characters
Nominated - TVB Star Awards Malaysia 2014 for My Favourite TVB Actor Nominated -TVB Anniversary Award 2014 for My Favourite TV Male Character Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award 2014 for Best Actor |
| A Time of Love | Oscar | Episode 2 | |
| Come On, Cousin | TV King | Episode 2 | |
| 2015 | Noblesse Oblige | To Chan-fung | |
| Lord of Shanghai | Young Kiu Ngo Tin | TVB Anniversary Award 2015 for My Favourite TV Male Character (Top 5)
Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award 2015 for Best Actor Nominated - Starhub TVB Award 2016 for My Favourite TVB Actor Starhub TVB Award 2016 for My Favourite TVB Male TV Character | |
| 2016 | A Time of Love II | Oscar | Episode 1 |
| ICAC Investigators 2016 | Roger | ||
| Inspector Gourmet | Bill Kei Yeung Tak-kei | Nominated - TVB Star Awards Malaysia 2016 for My Favourite TVB Actor
Nominated - TVB Star Awards Malaysia 2016 for My Favourite On-Screen Couple (with Eliza Sam) | |
| Rogue Emperor | Chu Kam-chun | ||
| 2017 | My Dearly Sinful Mind | Chung Tai-yin (TY) | Starhub TVB Award 2017 for My Favourite TVB Male TV Character
Nominated - Starhub TVB Award 2017 for My Favourite TVB Actor Nominated - TVB Star Awards Malaysia 2017 for My Favourite TVB Actor |
| Bet Hur | Lo Ping-on (OK Jai) | ||
| Line Walker: The Prelude | Ngai Tak-lai | Special Appearance in Episode 30 | |
| The Exorcist's Meter | Ma Kwai (Siu Ma) | TVB Anniversary Award 2017 for My Favourite TV Male Character
Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award 2017 for Best Actor (Top 5) | |
| 2018 | Deep in the Realm of Conscience | Yam Sam-shu | TVB Anniversary Award 2018 for My Favourite TV Male Character
Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award 2018 for Best Actor (Top 5) |
| 2019 | Big White Duel | Dr. Tong Ming | Won - TVB Anniversary Award 2019 for Best Actor
Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award 2019 for My Favourite TV Male Character (Top 5) |
| 2020 | The Exorcist’s 2nd Meter | Ma Kwai (Siu Ma) | |
| Flying Tiger 2 | Ting Ho-yin (Ting Sir) | ||
| Go! Go! Go! Operation C9 | Bravo Ko Tai-king | ||
| Line Waker: Bull Fight | Wai Chok-wing / Ngai Tak-lai (Klein) | ||
| 2021 | Armed Reaction 2021 | Guest Appearance in Episode 1 | |
| TBA | Plan “B” | Yau Choi-shan | |
| Kids' Lives Matter | Dr. Amos Fong Chung-yan | ||
| Filming | Big White Duel 2 | Dr. Tong Ming |
References
- "Kenneth Ma Movies - Actor - Hong Kong". chinesemov.com. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
- "Kenneth Ma Will Only Choose Girlfriend Who Gets Along With His Family". JayneStars.com. 2014-07-19. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
- "The A-Listers: Kenneth Ma Speaks About His Career". a-listers.blogspot.com. 2014-07-19. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
- "Forums - AsianEU - The Best Choice - Easy, Convenient and Friendly". asianuniverse.net. 2014-07-19. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
- "Kenneth Ma to Star in Jackie Chan's New Movie". JayneStars.com. 2014-07-19. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
- "Kenneth Ma Pays $500,000 HKD for Father's Surgery". JayneStars.com. 2014-07-19. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
- "Kenneth Ma takes subway to work!". Asianpopnews. 2014-07-19. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
- "hyn5 @ 幸而城 Fortunate City: Kenneth Ma @ Leslie Cheung 1988 Pepsi Commercial". hyn5-hyn5.blogspot.com. 2014-07-19. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
- "Kenneth Ma". Facebook. 2017-06-06. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
- "【獨家】馬國明親證同心穎分手 降呢做朋友". on.cc東網 (in Chinese). Retrieved 2019-07-06.
- "Andy Hui and Jacqueline Wong Caught Kissing in a Taxi." JayneStars.com
- "Dash-Cam Footage: Andy Hui and Jacqueline Wong Are Having an Affair." Dash-Cam Footage: Andy Hui and Jacqueline Wong Are Having An Affair, 16 April 2019
