Wu Ma

Wu Ma (stage name) was a famous Hong Kong actor, director, producer, and writer. His real name was Fung Wang-yuen. He was born in Tianjin, China on September 22, 1942. He was only 21 years old when he made his screen debut with The Butterfly Chalice in 1963. He performed in over 180 movies and was one of the most well-known artists in Hong Kong Cinema. His most movies were action movies. He also directed nearly 38 movies. Wu Ma was best known for his memorable role as the Taoist ghost hunter in a horror-comedy film titled A Chinese Ghost Story. Wu Ma used to live in Tianjin. But, he moved to Guangzhou at the early age of 16. He became a machinist and later on, migrated to Hong Kong in 1960. His acting journey began with his enrollment in the Shaw Brothers acting course in 1962.

After graduating from Shaw Brothers acting course, he started getting movies which include Temple of the red rose, The Knights of Knight, and Trail of the Broken Blade. During the 1960s, he appeared in around fifteen films, including many classics. His talent wasn't limited to acting, he was also an acclaimed director. He made his directorial debut with Wrath of the Sword, which got released in 1970. He directed several movies in the 1970s like The Deaf and The Mute Heroine, Young Tiger, Wits to Wits, and Manchu Boxer. He also co-directed with his former mentor Chang in The Water Margin, The Pirate, All Men are Brothers, and Naval Commandos. During the period of the 1970s, Wu Ma focused more on direction, however, he appeared as an actor in his films and in several others too. Wu Ma's output as a director slowed down in the 1980s due to the trend of martial art wound down.

But, his acting career took the fast pace, and he became one of the well-known actors. He worked in Sammo Hung's 1970s movies including Iron Fisted Monk. He also worked as a production manager in the production company of Sammo Hung named Bo Ho. He continued doing Hung's films such as Wheels on the meal (1984) and Millionaire's Express (1986). Wu Mu received three nominations for Hong Kong Film Award in the category of best supporting actor for three films: Right Wrongs, A Chinese Ghost Story, and Last Eunuch in China. He also received Hong Kong Film Award nomination for Best Director for the movie - The Dead and the Deadly (1983). He even won Golden Horse Award for best supporting role for his several works. He died because of lung cancer on February 4, 2014.