February 4, 2014, 8:17 PM
Hong Kong Actor Wu Ma Dies
By Dean Napolitano and Joyu Wang
Wu Ma
Veteran Hong Kong actor Wu Ma died on Tuesday, the Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild said. He was 71.
Actor Law Kar-ying posted a message on his verified Weibo microblogging account stating that Mr. Wu’s wife confirmed the death to Mr. Law, adding that he had been suffering from lung cancer.
Mr. Wu appeared in more than 240 films and had directed nearly 50, according to news reports. He is perhaps best known for his memorable role as a Taoist priest in director Tsui Hark’s classic 1987 film “A Chinese Ghost Story” and its sequel, “A Chinese Ghost Story 2,” in 1990.
“On camera, [he was] a professional and precise actor. Off camera, a kind and sincere friend,” said producer Nansun Shi, who worked with Mr. Wu on a number of films, including “A Chinese Ghost Story” and “Peking Opera Blues” (1986). “Everything he did, he did with a sense of humor,” Ms. Shi told the Journal.
Mr. Wu was born Feng Wuma on Aug. 18, 1942, in the Chinese city of Tianjin and moved to Hong Kong in 1960. He made his film debut in the Shaw Brothers production of “Lady General Hua Mu Lan” in 1964, according to “The Shaw Screen: A Preliminary Study,” an anthology published by the Hong Kong Film Archive in 2003.
Mr. Wu’s acting career flourished at the legendary Shaw Brothers studio. By the late 1960s, he expanded his film work to include directing, working first as an assistant to renowned director Chang Cheh. He later began working for independent film companies and made his directorial debut with “Wrath of the Sword” in 1970, according to the anthology.
Mr. Wu was remembered on Tuesday by his colleagues in the entertainment industry. Here is a sampling of translated comments from the verified accounts of artists on Weibo:
Yvonne Yung Hung, actress:
“It’s right after the Lunar New Year, how could he pass away all of a sudden? … What’s rare is he still kept on doing the things he liked while facing the last days of his life — working and filming, but not spending time on a sick bed. It’s a generous and brave attitude. Your dedication to work deserves your juniors to learn from you. It is my proud privilege to have had a chance to work with you. Wu Ma-san, wish you rest in peace.”
Damian Lau, actor:
“My respectful teacher Wu Ma, rest in peace. I am proud of knowing you in the [television drama] ‘Fu Rongjin (芙蓉錦)’, it was a happy collaboration.”
Lam Chi-chung, actor:
“Grateful we filmed a movie together, I have learned so much! Mr. Wu Ma, rest in peace. Thank you for adding light and color to Hong Kong cinema.”
Rainie Yang, singer-actress:
“My beloved grandfather Wu Ma, rest in peace.”
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