---
name: "Tzi Ma"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/tzi-ma"
fi1m_id: "tzi-ma"
imdb_id: "nm0002245"
tmdb_id: 21629
wikidata_id: "Q598178"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "10 June 1962"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 8
average_fi1m_score: 66
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 8
updated: "2026-10-05T05:14:31.998065+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Tzi Ma

## Identity

Tzi Ma

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/tzi-ma
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** tzi-ma
- **IMDb ID:** nm0002245
- **TMDB ID:** 21629
- **Wikidata ID:** Q598178
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tzi_Ma, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q598178, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002245/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/21629

Actor. Born 10 June 1962 in Hong Kong, British Crown Colony [now China].

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 10 June 1962, Hong Kong, British Crown Colony [now China]
- **Active:** 1986–present
- **Also known as:** 馬志, Τζι Μα, 馬泰, Ци Ма , Тзи Ма, 马泰 
- **Average Fi1m score:** 66, as actor, over 8 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 54 (1), 1990s 63 (2), 2000s 38 (1), 2010s 84 (3), 2020s 54 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 67 to 65 across 7 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 1 at 60–79, 4 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 6 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 5, Action 4, Drama 3, Adventure 2, Crime 2, Fantasy 1
- **Screen time:** 12 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,032m across 7 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tzi_Ma, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q598178, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002245/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/21629

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Arrival*](https://film.one/film/arrival.md) (86)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Rush Hour*](https://film.one/film/rush-hour.md) (70)
- **Disney+:** [*Mulan*](https://film.one/film/mulan-2020.md) (54)
- **Tubi:** [*Rush Hour 3*](https://film.one/film/rush-hour-3.md) (38)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Tzi Ma

> Tzi Ma makes fathers and authority figures feel like people with more on their minds than they are prepared to say. We value his warmth and restraint most when a film gives him time to use them.

In *The Farewell* (2019), Tzi Ma's Haiyan is among relatives trying to conceal feelings they have good reason to show. The family has arranged a fake wedding. Ma brings warmth and humour to the father, helping the deception feel like something people might actually undertake. We were moved by the effort of ordinary conversation, with Nai Nai present and her relatives already preparing to miss her. The actors let us recognise the affection without making the arrangement easy to approve of.

The fathers and officials recur, but the parts have not always given him much to work with. Through the 1980s and 1990s, he was often confined to stereotyped or token roles. Consul Han in *Rush Hour* (1998) brought mainstream visibility; General Shang in Denis Villeneuve's *Arrival* (2016) brought wider recognition. We admire *Arrival*'s patient attention to communication, though its wider crisis is less convincing. Amy Adams's Louise Banks is its centre, and it is not the film we would choose to show how much Ma can do.

Lulu Wang gives him more to do in *The Farewell*. Ma has room for warmth and humour within an ensemble whose members differ in how well they conceal their feelings. Editors Michael Taylor and Matthew Friedman let the exchanges move between amusement and distress without insisting that every hesitation deserves special attention. That suits an actor whose small reactions can carry emotion without much dialogue. The script sometimes explains the family's thinking too neatly, when the faces have already made its difficulties plain.

The shift to a central role in *Tigertail* (2020), as immigrant father Pin-Jui, gave that quiet acting more space. It was his first feature lead, a useful correction to years spent supporting other people's stories. Hua Zhou in *Mulan* (2020) continued the run of fathers. We would welcome more parts outside that category. Start with *The Farewell*, provided you can tolerate a family explaining itself a little more often than it needs to.

## Biography

Tzi Ma is a Hong Kong-American actor. Born in Hong Kong in 1962, he was raised in Staten Island, New York, after his family moved there. He began his career in New York theatre during the 1970s and made early screen appearances including in the film *Cocaine Cowboys* (1978).

Ma is known for film roles including Consul Han in the *Rush Hour* series (1998 and 2007), General Shang in *Arrival* (2016), Haiyan in *The Farewell* (2019), and Hua Zhou in *Mulan* (2020). On television he has appeared in recurring roles in series including *24*, *The Man in the High Castle* and *Kung Fu* (2021–2023). He has also worked in independent films such as *Tigertail* (2020).

*Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org.*

## On Fi1m (8)

- *Mulan* (2020), Fi1m 54, as Hua Zhou — [page](https://film.one/film/mulan-2020.md)
- *The Farewell* (2019), Fi1m 84, as Haiyan — [page](https://film.one/film/the-farewell.md)
- *Arrival* (2016), Fi1m 86, as General Shang — [page](https://film.one/film/arrival.md)
- *Veep* (2012), Fi1m 82, as Lu Chi-Jang — [page](https://film.one/tv/veep.md)
- *Rush Hour 3* (2007), Fi1m 38, as Solon Han — [page](https://film.one/film/rush-hour-3.md)
- *Rush Hour* (1998), Fi1m 70, as Consul Han — [page](https://film.one/film/rush-hour.md)
- *Dante's Peak* (1997), Fi1m 56, as Stan — [page](https://film.one/film/dantes-peak.md)
- *The Money Pit* (1986), Fi1m 54, as Hwang — [page](https://film.one/film/the-money-pit.md)

## Complete filmography (106)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Whatcha Want* (2026), Actor
- *the death* (2026), as idris
- *Gunslingers* (2025), as Lin
- *Watson* (2025), series, as Uncle Jun
- *Interior Chinatown* (2024), series, as Joe Wu
- *Five Blind Dates* (2024), as Xien
- *Believer 2* (2023), as Professor Lee
- *A Father's Son* (2022), as Krang Li
- *A Shot Through the Wall* (2022), as Chow Tan
- *Kung Fu* (2021), series, as Jin Shen
- *INVINCIBLE* (2021), series, as Mr. Liu (voice), Mr. Liu / Dragon (voice) — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/invincible-2021.md)
- *A Sugar & Spice Holiday* (2020), as Pete Yung
- *The Kid Detective* (2020), as Mr. Chang
- *Mulan* (2020), as Hua Zhou — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/mulan-2020.md)
- *Tigertail* (2020), as Grover
- *Treadstone* (2019), series, as General Chin-Hwa Kwon
- *Wu Assassins* (2019), series, as Mr. Young
- *The Farewell* (2019), as Haiyan — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/the-farewell.md)
- *Star Wars Resistance* (2018), series, as Hamato Xiono (voice)
- *Bad Company* (2018), as Hawking
- *Skyscraper* (2018), as Fire Chief Sheng
- *The Resident* (2018), series, as Ted Zhou
- *The Jade Pendant* (2017), as Yu Hing
- *Meditation Park* (2017), as Bing
- *An American Girl Story - Ivy & Julie 1976: A Happy Balance* (2017), as Gung-Gung
- *Ransom* (2017), series, as Lormong Vang
- *Arrival* (2016), as General Shang — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/arrival.md)
- *Pali Road* (2016), as Mr. Zhang
- *Angie Tribeca* (2016), series, as Joseph Takagi — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/angie-tribeca.md)
- *Diablo* (2016), as Quok Mi
- *Baby Steps* (2015), as Mr. Lin
- *The Man in the High Castle* (2015), series, as General Onada
- *Bosch* (2015), series, as Brent Charles
- *Man Seeking Woman* (2015), series, as Master Sheng
- *Madam Secretary* (2014), series, as President Miguel Da Silva
- *A Good Man* (2014), as Mr. Chen
- *Million Dollar Arm* (2014), as Chang
- *Silicon Valley* (2014), series, as Yao — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/silicon-valley.md)
- *Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.* (2013), series, as Agent Kwan
- *#1 Serial Killer* (2013), as Mr. Chang
- *Someone I Used to Know* (2013), as Simo Kim
- *Elementary* (2012), series, as Xi Hai Ching
- *The Campaign* (2012), as Mr. Zheng
- *Perception* (2012), series, as Prof. Arthur Wei
- *Veep* (2012), series, as Lu Chi-Jang — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/veep.md)
- *Hell on Wheels* (2011), series, as Tao — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/tv/hell-on-wheels.md)
- *Once Upon a Time* (2011), series, as The Dragon — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/tv/once-upon-a-time.md)
- *Hawaii Five-0* (2010), series, as Mr. Chi — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/tv/hawaii-five-0.md)
- *NCIS: Los Angeles* (2009), series, as Jun Lee
- *Dollhouse* (2009), series, as Matsu — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/dollhouse.md)
- *Management* (2009), as Truc Quoc
- *Lie to Me* (2009), series, as Mr. Chen
- *All God's Children Can Dance* (2008), as Glen
- *Fringe* (2008), series, as Ming Che — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/fringe.md)
- *The Sensei* (2008), as Buddhist Monk
- *Baby* (2008), as Pops
- *Battle in Seattle* (2007), as Governor
- *Rush Hour 3* (2007), as Solon Han — Fi1m 38, [page](https://film.one/film/rush-hour-3.md)
- *Dragon Boys* (2007), series, as Henry Wah
- *Akeelah and the Bee* (2006), as Mr. Chiu
- *The Unit* (2006), series, as Rudy Hartano
- *Commander in Chief* (2005), series, as Chinese Ambassador
- *Red Doors* (2005), as Ed Wong
- *Grey's Anatomy* (2005), series, as Mr. Patterson — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/greys-anatomy.md)
- *American Dad!* (2005), series, as Bah Bah (voice)
- *Hawaii* (2004), series, as Joseph Dao
- *The Ladykillers* (2004), as The General
- *Jake 2.0* (2003), series, as Nanda Sang
- *The Quiet American* (2002), as Hinh
- *Hawaiian Gardens* (2001), as Mr. Hu'o'ng
- *The Bernie Mac Show* (2001), series, as Ed
- *24* (2001), series, as Cheng Zhi — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/24.md)
- *Catfish in Black Bean Sauce* (1999), as Vinh
- *Martial Law* (1998), series, as Lee Hei
- *Rush Hour* (1998), as Consul Han — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/rush-hour.md)
- *The Magnificent Seven* (1998), series, as Wo Chin's Father
- *Red Corner* (1997), as Li Cheng
- *The Practice* (1997), series, as Tang Jingyu
- *Dante's Peak* (1997), as Stan — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/dantes-peak.md)
- *Millennium* (1996), series, as Captain Youfook Law, Dr. Takashi
- *Chain Reaction* (1996), as Lu Chen
- *Nash Bridges* (1996), series, as Jimmy Zee
- *JAG* (1995), series, as Inspector Chang
- *ER* (1994), series, as Mr. Yeung — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md)
- *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Mr. Wang
- *Vanishing Son* (1994), series, Actor
- *Golden Gate* (1994), as Chen Jung Song
- *The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.* (1993), series, as Chan
- *Rapid Fire* (1992), as Kinman Tau
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Deputy Counsel General Li Chen — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *RoboCop 2* (1990), as Tak Akita
- *Forbidden Nights* (1990), as Li Dao
- *Yellowthread Street* (1990), series, as Det. Eddie Pak
- *The Forgotten* (1989), as Premier
- *Star Trek: The Next Generation* (1987), series, as Biomolecular Physiologist — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-the-next-generation.md)
- *The Money Pit* (1986), as Hwang — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/the-money-pit.md)
- *MacGyver* (1985), series, as Wing Lee
- *The Equalizer* (1985), series, as Mr. Lin
- *The Cosby Show* (1984), series, as Mr. Lee
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Chen Jung Song
- *They All Laughed* (1981), as (uncredited)
- *Cocaine Cowboys* (1979), as Jimmy Lee
- *Unarmed*, Actor
- *The Way You Dance*, as Ming Lee · Producer
- *The Horseman*, Actor
- *The Chinatown Diner*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Tzi Ma](https://film.one/media/person/124536/gallery-c9eefcaa919c.jpg) Tzi Ma — Gordon  Correll, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d5/Tzi_Ma_%2828212965079%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Chinese American actor Tzi Ma in San Francisco, California. Photograph by Nancy Wong. Late 1970's. (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/124536/gallery-88e78a5a190b.jpg) Chinese American actor Tzi Ma in San Francisco, California. Photograph by Nancy Wong. Late 1970's. (2014) — Nancy wong, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/TZiMA.jpg/1280px-TZiMA.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Star of Rush Hour, The Lady Killers, Chain Reaction. NYC Nov '16. (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/124536/gallery-be489266bbb3.jpg) Star of Rush Hour, The Lady Killers, Chain Reaction. NYC Nov '16. (2016) — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e2/Tzi_Ma_%2830688259820%29.jpg/1280px-Tzi_Ma_%2830688259820%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Tzi Ma](https://film.one/media/person/124536/gallery-090b4cdbd22b.jpg) Tzi Ma — Image via TMDB
- ![Tzi Ma](https://film.one/media/person/124536/gallery-aedb53dc64eb.jpg) Tzi Ma — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/tzi-ma