Daniel Wu
Daniel Wu | |||||||||||||||
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![]() Wu at the 2015San Diego Comic-Con | |||||||||||||||
Born | Daniel N Wu[1] September 30, 1974 Berkeley, California,U.S. | ||||||||||||||
Alma mater | University of Oregon | ||||||||||||||
Occupation(s) | Actor, director, producer, screenwriter | ||||||||||||||
Years active | 1998–present | ||||||||||||||
Spouse | |||||||||||||||
Children | 1 | ||||||||||||||
Awards | Hong Kong Film Awards–Best New Director 2007The Heavenly Kings Golden Horse Awards–Best Supporting Actor 2004New Police Story | ||||||||||||||
Chinese name | |||||||||||||||
Traditional Chinese | Ngô ngạn tổ | ||||||||||||||
Simplified Chinese | Ngô ngạn tổ | ||||||||||||||
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Daniel Wu Neh-Tsu(Chinese:Ngô ngạn tổ;born September 30, 1974) is anAmerican-born Chinese[2]actor and filmmaker based inHong Kong.He is known as a "flexible and distinctive" leading actor in theChinese language film industry.[3]Since his film debut in 1998, he has been featured in over 60 films.[4]A three-timeGolden Horse Awardwinner, he also starred in theAMCmartial arts drama seriesInto the Badlandsand theDisney+wuxia action comedyAmerican Born Chinese.
Early life
[edit]Daniel N Wu was born inBerkeley, California,[1]and raised inOrinda, California.His parents, Diana (née Liu),[1]a college professor, and George Wu, a retired engineer,[5]are natives ofShanghai,China. His father immigrated to the United States from China and met his mother in New York, where she was a student. After marrying, they settled in California.[6]Wu has two older sisters, Greta and Gloria, and an older brother who died when he was two.[5][7]
Wu developed an interest in martial arts when he sawJet LiinThe Shaolin TempleandDonnie YeninIron Monkey,[3]and consequently began studyingwushuat age 11.[8]His childhood role model wasJackie Chan,[6]who now considers Wu "like a son".[9]Wu attended theHead-Royce SchoolinOakland, California[10]and later majored in architecture at theUniversity of Oregon.Wu also attendedSCI-Arcfor a summer program in architecture and worked for architectMichael Rotondi.While in Oregon, he founded the University of Oregon Wushu Club in 1994 and served as the team's first coach.[11]During this time, Wu took film classes and frequented local theaters, and came to enjoy the works of filmmakers likeAkira KurosawaandLuc Besson,whom he describes as "men of vision."[12]
Following graduation, Wu traveled in 1997 to Hong Kong to witness thehandover of Hong Kong,with no intention of taking on a film career. At the suggestion by his sister, Wu began modeling.[6][13]Four months later, film directorYonfan,after seeing Wu featured in a clothing ad, approached Wu about starring in an upcoming film.[3][14]
Career
[edit]Despite his inability at the time to speakCantonese[15]or read Chinese,[16]Wu successfully completed his first film, Yonfan'sBishonenin 1998. As of this day,[when?]when Wu receives a Cantonese script, his assistant reads the entire piece, while he makes notes on the pronunciation. The day afterBishonenwrapped, Wu was offered the leading role inMabel Cheung'sCity of Glass(for which Wu was nominated as best new actor at the 18th Hong Kong Film Awards)[17]and later, a supporting part inYoung and Dangerous: The Prequel,fromAndrew Lau's gangster film series. Around this time, Wu metJackie Chanat a restaurant opening[18]and was quickly signed to Chan's JC Group with agent Willie Chan.[14]
Wu's breakthrough performance came in 1999 with his role inBenny Chan'sGen-X Cops.He followed this success with roles in a variety of films including big-budget thrillerPurple Storm,arthouse productionPeony Pavilionand the successfulLove Undercover.In 2001, Wu received criticism from the Hong Kong media for sexual scenes with Suki Kwan inCop on a Mission,but Wu says that same criticism attracted the attention of directors and the film represented a turning point in the types of roles he chose in the future.[19]
Wu's first experience in film production came with his starring role in Julian Lee's 2003 filmNight Corridor.Due to budgetary constraints, Wu participated in the search for funding for and distribution of, the film and recruitedJun Kungto create the soundtrack.[20]ThoughNight Corridordealt with "risky" themes,[13]Wu felt he had less reliance on image than many of his pop-star actor peers,[20]and he was nominated for best actor at Taiwan's 40thGolden Horse Film Awardsfor his effort.[21]During 2003, Wu took part as producer and creative director onMTV'sWhatever Things!,aJackass-styled program aired in Asia,[22]also featuringSam Lee,Josie Ho,Terence Yin,and other celebrities.[23]During 2003, Wu took part in a stage production ofThe Happy Princeat the Edward Lam Dance Theater[24]as part of theHong Kong Arts Festival,during which he recited a 16-minute monologue in Cantonese, learned entirely frompinyin.[25]In 2005, Wu was nominated as best actor at the 24thHong Kong Film Awardsfor his role inDerek Yee'sOne Nite in Mongkok,[26]and as best supporting actor forNew Police Story.[27]At the 41st Golden Horse Film Awards, Wu won the award for best supporting actor forNew Police Story.[28]The win came as a surprise to him, because he "didn't think that much" of his performance in the film.[19]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Alive_Daniel_Wu.jpg/200px-Alive_Daniel_Wu.jpg)
In 2005, Chinese media began to report that Wu had formed aboy band,Alive, withTerence Yin,Andrew Linand Conroy Chan.[29]Wu and his bandmates posted information, updates, personal thoughts (including slammingHong Kong Disneyland,for which they were spokespersons[30]), and the band's music, at their official website.[29][31][32]In 2006, Wu made his writing and directorial debut withThe Heavenly Kings,which chronicles Alive's formation and exploits.[33]After the film's release, however, it was revealed thatThe Heavenly Kingswas actually amockumentaryof theHong Kong pop music industry,and Alive was constructed purely as a vehicle to make the film; the film's characters represented only 10–15% of their real-life counterparts[34]and much of the footage blurred the line between fiction and reality.[33]Wu admitted his own singing voice "sucked really bad", and the band had their voices digitally enhanced for its music, to prove that "it's easy to fake it".[32]Despite some backlash from the media over being intentionally fed false information in the film[35]about illegal downloads of the band's music,[34]Wu won the best new director award at the 26th Hong Kong Film Awards, an achievement he called "a group effort."[35]
In 2011, Wu starred alongsideKevin Spaceyin directorDayyan Eng's bilingual filmInseparable.[36]It premiered at theBusan International Film Festivaland was released in cinemas in China and other territories worldwide, making it Wu's first English-language film performance.
From 2015 to 2019, he starred as Sunny on theAMCaction seriesInto the Badlands,for which he also served as executive producer.
In 2016, he portrayed via motion capture and voiced Gul'dan, the centralantagonistof the action fantasy filmWarcraft,based upon theWarcraftvideo game series byBlizzard Entertainment.In 2018, he appeared inTomb Raider,based uponthe video game series of the same name,as Lara Croft's sidekick, Captain Lu Ren. In 2021, he appeared inReminiscence,directorLisa Joy's feature film debut.
Other ventures
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/34/2023_Prototype_Celebration_-_June_2023_-_Sarah_Stierch_33.jpg/220px-2023_Prototype_Celebration_-_June_2023_-_Sarah_Stierch_33.jpg)
In April 2007, Wu re-launched his band's old website, AliveNotDead.com, with Terence Yin andRottenTomatoes.comfounders Patrick Lee and Stephen Wang, as a place for filmmakers, musicians, and other artists to collaborate, receive exposure, network, and interact with fans.[37][38]He was a spokesperson forSeiko[39]andL'Oréal.[40]Wu posed for the charity photography albumSuperStars by Leslie Kee,[41]and performed on rapperJin's song "HK Superstar."[42]Wu is an investor in Racks MDB Shanghai, which opened in 2008.[43]
Personal life
[edit]Wu maintains residences in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, and Oakland, California. He continues to actively train in wushu as well as other martial arts.[32]
On April 6, 2010, Wu marriedLisa S.in South Africa.[44]Their daughter, Raven, was born in May 2013.[45]
In 2018, Daniel Wu denied rumors of supportingHong Kong independenceand has explicitly stated his opposition against it.[46]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]Year | English title | Original title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1998 | Bishonen | Mỹ thiếu niên chi luyến | Sam Fai | |
City of Glass | Pha li chi thành | Daniel | Credited as Daniel Ng | |
Young and Dangerous: The Prequel | Tân cổ hoặc tử chi thiếu niên kích đấu thiên | Big Head | Credited as Daniel Ng | |
1999 | Gorgeous | Pha li tôn | Photographer's assistant | |
Gen-X Cops | Đặc cảnh tân nhân loại | Daniel | ||
Purple Storm | Tử vũ phong bạo | Todd Nguyen | ||
2000 | 2000 AD | Công nguyên 2000 | Benny | |
Undercover Blues | Hình “Sát chi pháp” | Joe Wong | ||
2001 | Headlines | Đầu hào nhân vật | Peter Wong | |
Hit Team | Trọng trang cảnh sát | Inspector Chung Chai | ||
Cop on a Mission | Tri pháp phạm pháp | Mike | ||
Born Wild | Dã thú chi đồng | Tide Ho | ||
Beijing Rocks | Bắc kinh nhạc dữ lộ | Michael Wu | ||
Peony Pavilion | Du viên kinh mộng | Xing Zhi-gang | ||
2002 | Beauty and the Breast | Phong hung bí Cup | Harper | |
Love Undercover | Tân trát sư muội | Au Hoi-man | ||
Princess D | Tưởng phi | Joker | ||
Devil Face, Angel Heart | Biến kiểm mê tình | Long | ||
The Peeping | Thâu khuy vô tội | Calvin | ||
Naked Weapon | Xích lỏa đặc công | Jack Chen | ||
2003 | Night Corridor | Yêu dạ hồi lang | Sam Yuen/Hung | Also producer |
Love Undercover 2: Love Mission | Tân trát sư muội 2: Mỹ lệ nhậm vụ | Au Hoi-man | ||
Hidden Track | Tầm trảo chu kiệt luân | Police officer | ||
Miss Du Shi Niang | Miss đỗ thập nương | Ken Li | ||
2004 | Magic Kitchen | Ma huyễn trù phòng | Kevin | |
Chiseen | Li tuyến | DVD version of some segments ofMTV's Whatever Things | ||
Enter the Phoenix | Đại lão ái mỹ lệ | Georgie Hung | ||
One Nite in Mongkok | Vượng giác hắc dạ | Lai Fu | ||
Around the World in 80 Days | — | Bak Mei | ||
The Twins Effect II | Thiên cơ biến II: Hoa đô đại chiến | Wei Liao | ||
Beyond Our Ken | Công chủ phục cừu ký | Ken | ||
New Police Story | Tân cảnh sát cố sự | Joe Kwan | ||
2005 | DragonBlade: The Legend of Lang | Long đao kỳ duyên | Hung Lang | Voiceover |
House of Fury | Tinh võ gia đình | Jason | ||
Divergence | Tam xóa khẩu | Coke | ||
Drink-Drank-Drunk | Thiên bôi bất túy | Michael | ||
Everlasting Regret | Trường hận ca | Kang Mingxun | ||
2006 | Rob-B-Hood | Bảo bối kế hoa | Brokeback Security agent Daniel | |
McDull, the Alumni | Xuân điền hoa hoa đồng học hội | Hostage-taker | ||
The Banquet | Dạ yến | Prince Wu Luan | ||
The Heavenly Kings | Tứ đại thiên vương | Daniel Wu | Also writer, director and producer | |
2007 | Protégé | Môn đồ | Nick | |
Ming Ming | Minh minh | A D | ||
Blood Brothers | Thiên đường khẩu | Ah Fung | ||
2009 | Shinjuku Incident | Tân túc sự kiện | Jie/Joe | |
Overheard | Thiết thính phong vân | Max Lam | ||
Like a Dream | Như mộng | Max | Also associate producer | |
Jump | Khiêu xuất khứ | Doctor | ||
2010 | Hot Summer Days | Toàn thành nhiệt luyến | Sushi master | |
Triple Tap | Thương vương chi vương | Chong Tze-wai | ||
2011 | Don't Go Breaking My Heart | Đan thân nam nữ | Kevin Fong | |
The Founding of a Party | Kiến đảng vĩ nghiệp | Hu Shih | ||
Overheard 2 | Thiết thính phong vân 2 | Joe Szema | ||
Inseparable | Hình ảnh bất ly | Li | ||
2012 | The Great Magician | Đại ma thuật sư | Captain Tsai | Cameo |
Tai Chi 0 | Thái cực | Mad Monk | Also producer | |
Tai Chi Hero | Thái cực 2 anh hùng quật khởi | Mad Monk | Also producer | |
The Man with the Iron Fists | — | Poison Dagger | ||
The Last Supper | Vương đích thịnh yến | Xiang Yu | ||
CZ12 | Thập nhị sinh tiêu | Hospital Doctor | Cameo | |
2013 | Europa Report | — | William Xu | |
Control | Khống chế | Mark | Also producer | |
2014 | That Demon Within | Ma cảnh | Dave Wong | |
Overheard 3 | Thiết thính phong vân 3 | Joe | ||
Don't Go Breaking My Heart 2 | Đan thân nam nữ 2 | Kevin Fong | ||
2015 | I Am Somebody | Ngã thị lộ nhân giáp | Cameo | |
Go Away Mr. Tumor | Cổn đản ba! Thũng lựu quân | Dr. Liang | ||
2016 | Warcraft | — | Gul'dan | |
Sky on Fire | Trùng thiên hỏa | Zong Tianbao | ||
2017 | Geostorm | — | Cheng Long | |
Wished | Phản chuyển nhân sinh | Daniel Li | Cameo | |
2018 | Tomb Raider | — | Lu Ren | |
2020 | Caught in Time | Trừ bạo | Zhang Sen | |
2021 | Reminiscence | — | Saint Joe | |
2024 | Decoded | Giải mật | Xiaolili | Completed |
2025 | With Love | — | TBA | Post-production |
Television
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2015–2019 | Into the Badlands | Sunny | Also executive producer |
2016 | Skylanders Academy | King Pen | Voice |
2022 | Westworld | Jay | Recurring role (season 4) |
2023 | American Born Chinese | Sun Wukong "The Monkey King" | Main role[47] |
Awards and nominations
[edit]Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1998 | 18th Hong Kong Film Awards | Best New Performer | City of Glass | Nominated |
2003 | 40th Golden Horse Awards | Best Leading Actor | Night Corridor | Nominated |
2004 | 41st Golden Horse Awards | Best Supporting Actor | New Police Story | Won |
2005 | 24th Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Actor | One Nite in Mongkok | Nominated |
Best Supporting Actor | New Police Story | Nominated | ||
25thGolden Rooster Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated | ||
Golden Bauhinia Awards | Best Actor | One Nite in Mongkok | Nominated | |
Best Supporting Actor | New Police Story | Nominated | ||
2007 | 26th Hong Kong Film Awards | Best New Director | The Heavenly Kings | Won |
7thChinese Film Media Awards | Best New Director | Won | ||
Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards | Best Director | Nominated | ||
Best Screenplay | Nominated | |||
2009 | 46th Golden Horse Awards | Best Leading Actor | Like A Dream | Nominated |
2014 | 6th Macau International Movie Festival | Best Actor | That Demon Within | Nominated |
2015 | 34th Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Actor | Nominated |
References
[edit]- ^abc"The birth of Daniel Wu".California Birth Index.RetrievedJune 8,2021.
Daniel N Wu was born on September 30, 1974 in Contra Costa County, California. [...] His father's last name is Wu, and his mother's maiden name is Liu.
- ^"How actor Daniel Wu became a star in both Hong Kong and Hollywood".South China Morning Post.October 13, 2023.RetrievedJuly 8,2024.
- ^abcFrater, Patrick (April 11, 2006)."Golden deal is 'Heavenly'".Variety.RetrievedMay 18,2008.
- ^"China-Underground Movie Database".Archive of China Underground.June 16, 2016.RetrievedJune 19,2016.
- ^abGraham, Bob (April 4, 2001)."Bay Area actor 'discovered' as a model in Hong Kong Daniel Wu of 'Cop' has since made 17 films in four years".SF Gate.San Francisco Chronicle.RetrievedMay 21,2008.
- ^abcChan, Sip-ling (November 14, 1999)."Kung fu kick-starts Wu's self-discovery".The Standard.Archived fromthe originalon May 22, 2011.RetrievedMay 18,2008.
- ^The California Report.July 20, 2018.
- ^"Daniel Wu interview".LOVEFiLM International Ltd. January 1, 2000. Archived fromthe originalon January 14, 2013.RetrievedMay 17,2008.
- ^"Jackie Chan: from action maestro to serious actor".China Daily.September 24, 2004.RetrievedMay 16,2008.
- ^Lee, Lisa (May 2, 2008)."Daniel Wu: alive, not dead".AsianWeek.Archived fromthe originalon July 19, 2008.RetrievedMay 17,2008.
- ^"University of Oregon Wushu Club".Archived fromthe originalon September 3, 2009.RetrievedMay 18,2008.
- ^Hui, Yuanna (October 23, 1998)."Drawing a blueprint for success".The Standard.Archived fromthe originalon May 22, 2011.RetrievedMay 18,2008.
- ^abScott, Matthew (November 14, 1999)."Daniel's dark awakening".NightCorridor.com.Archived fromthe originalon June 10, 2008.RetrievedMay 17,2008.
- ^abTse, Sabrina (May 7, 1998)."Screen newcomer enjoys his moment under the sun".The Standard.Archived fromthe originalon May 22, 2011.RetrievedMay 18,2008.
- ^Hui, Yuanna (October 23, 1998)."Drawing a blueprint for success".The Standard (HK).Archived fromthe originalon May 22, 2011.RetrievedMay 18,2008.
- ^"blog entry".Daniel Wu's official blog.November 22, 2001.RetrievedMay 17,2008.
- ^"Hong Kong Film Awards archive".Archived fromthe originalon April 14, 2016.RetrievedMay 31,2008.
- ^Johnson, G. Allen (March 17, 1999)."Fast road to stardom".SF Gate.San Francisco Chronicle.RetrievedMay 21,2008.
- ^ab"Daniel Wu interview".Hong Kong Cinema.Vengeance Magazine. January 2005.RetrievedMay 17,2008.
- ^ab"A conversation with Daniel Wu".August 24, 2003.RetrievedMay 17,2008.
- ^"The Heavenly Kings".San Francisco Chinatown.April 2007.RetrievedMay 21,2008.
- ^"blog entry".Daniel Wu's official blog.November 26, 2003. Archived fromthe originalon December 9, 2007.RetrievedMay 21,2008.
- ^Kan, Wendy (August 31, 2003)."'Whatever' goes on MTV prank spree ".Variety.RetrievedMay 21,2008.
- ^"Hong Kong Arts Festival archive".Archived fromthe originalon June 3, 2008.RetrievedMay 21,2008.
- ^Ng, Teddy (February 26, 2003)."Daniel takes center stage".The Standard.RetrievedMay 18,2008.
- ^Rothrock, Vicki (February 2, 2005)."HK film noms do the 'Hustle'".Variety.RetrievedMay 16,2008.
- ^"Hong Kong Film Awards archive".Archived fromthe originalon March 4, 2016.RetrievedMay 21,2008.
- ^"Golden Horse goes to mainland movie Kekexili".China Daily.December 5, 2004.RetrievedMay 16,2008.
- ^abChen, Fengfeng (August 4, 2005)."Daniel Wu forms a new band".China Radio International. Archived fromthe originalon May 5, 2009.RetrievedMay 16,2008.
- ^Rothrock, Vicki (September 4, 2005)."A word of cultural caution".Variety.RetrievedMay 16,2008.
- ^"Official blog for Alive".AliveNotDead.com.RetrievedMay 21,2008.
- ^abcJohnson, G. Allen (April 25, 2007)."A model, actor, singing sensation (well, sort of) and now a director".SF Gate.San Francisco Chronicle.RetrievedMay 17,2008.
- ^abEddy, Cheryl (April 25, 2007)."Bubblegum bandits".San Francisco Bay Guardian.RetrievedMay 17,2008.
- ^ab"The great Cantopop swindle".The Standard.May 22, 2006. Archived fromthe originalon March 7, 2011.RetrievedMay 18,2008.
- ^abYoung, Jennifer (April 29, 2007)."Daniel Wu," Heavenly King "".indieWIRE.originally from SF360. Archived fromthe originalon March 13, 2008.RetrievedMay 17,2008.
- ^"Kevin Spacey in Chinese film | Variety".archive.is.February 5, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon February 5, 2013.RetrievedFebruary 26,2021.
- ^Young, Jennifer (March 15, 2008)."Daniel Wu".SF360.San Francisco Film Society. Archived fromthe originalon March 18, 2008.RetrievedMay 17,2008.
- ^"alivenotdead.com".April 8, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon May 27, 2008.RetrievedMay 21,2008.
- ^"Daniel Wu signed as spokesperson for the second year starring in the latest SEIKO Criteria Men Watches Collection advertisement".Seiko. May 7, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon May 6, 2008.RetrievedMay 17,2008.
- ^"L'Oréal Taiwan".Archived fromthe originalon January 15, 2008.RetrievedMay 17,2008.
- ^"300 stars, nude in name of charity".China Radio International. November 30, 2006. Archived fromthe originalon January 10, 2007.RetrievedMay 16,2008.
- ^"discography".Jin's official website. Archived fromthe originalon May 13, 2008.RetrievedMay 16,2008.
- ^"Pooling resources".China Radio International. March 31, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon March 2, 2008.RetrievedMay 16,2008.
- ^Daniel Wu (April 17, 2010)."My Wedding!!!".alive not dead.RetrievedApril 17,2010.
- ^"Daniel Wu and Lisa S welcome baby girl".Asiaone.com.June 3, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon March 16, 2016.RetrievedNovember 17,2015.
- ^thestandard, Actor Daniel Wu denies rumors of supporting independence, August 21, 2019
- ^Fleming, Mike Jr. (February 7, 2022)."'Shang-Chi's Michelle Yeoh & Destin Daniel Cretton Reunite For Disney+ Series 'American Born Chinese;' Chin Han, Yeo Yann Yann & Daniel Wu Also Star ".RetrievedFebruary 7,2022.
- ^Daniel Wu at douban.com
- ^Daniel Wu at chinesemov.com
External links
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- 1974 births
- Living people
- 20th-century American male actors
- 20th-century Hong Kong male actors
- 21st-century American male actors
- 21st-century Hong Kong male actors
- American expatriates in Hong Kong
- American film directors of Hong Kong descent
- American male actors of Hong Kong descent
- American male film actors
- American male television actors
- American male voice actors
- American male models
- American male screenwriters
- Film directors from California
- Film producers from California
- Hong Kong film directors
- Hong Kong film producers
- Hong Kong male film actors
- Hong Kong male television actors
- Hong Kong male models
- Hong Kong screenwriters
- Male actors from Berkeley, California
- Male models from California
- People from Orinda, California
- Screenwriters from California
- University of Oregon alumni