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Daniel Wu

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the Episcopal priest, seeDaniel G. C. Wu.For the American soccer player, seeDaniel Wu (soccer).
In thisChinese name,thefamily nameisWu.

Daniel Wu
Wu at the 2015San Diego Comic-Con
Born
Daniel N Wu[1]

(1974-09-30)September 30, 1974(age 50)
Berkeley, California,U.S.
CitizenshipUnited States
Alma materUniversity of Oregon
Occupation(s)Actor, director, producer, screenwriter
Years active1998–present
Spouse
​
(m.2010)​
Children1
AwardsHong Kong Film Awards–Best New Director
2007The Heavenly Kings

Golden Horse Awards–Best Supporting Actor
2004New Police Story

Chinese name
Traditional ChineseNgô Ngạn Tổ
Simplified ChineseNgô Ngạn Tổ
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinWú Yànzǔ
IPA[ǔ jɛ̂n.tsù]
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingNg4 Jin6-zou2
IPA[ŋ jin˨ tsɔw˧˥]

Daniel Wu Neh-Tsu(Chinese:Ngô Ngạn Tổ;born September 30, 1974) is a Hong Kong actor and filmmaker.[2]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]

Daniel Wu in 2006

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]
Daniel Wu preparing to race at the 2023 Prototype Celebration atSonoma Raceway.

In April 2007, Wu re-launched his band's old website, AliveNotDead, with Terence Yin andRottenTomatoesfounders 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 lê chi thành Daniel Credited as Daniel Ng
Young and Dangerous: The Prequel Tân yakuza chi thiếu niên kích đấu thiên Big Head
1999 Gorgeous Pha lê tôn Photographer's assistant
Gen-X Cops Đặc cảnh tân nhân loại Daniel
Purple Storm Tím vũ gió lốc Todd Nguyen
2000 2000 AD Công nguyên 2000 Benny
Undercover Blues Hình “Sát phương pháp” Joe Wong
2001 Headlines Số một 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 cùng lộ Michael Wu
Peony Pavilion Du viên kinh mộng Xing Zhi-gang
2002 Beauty and the Breast Phong ngực bí Cup Harper
Love Undercover Tân trát sư muội Au Hoi-man
Princess D Tưởng phi Joker
Devil Face, Angel Heart Biến sắc mặt mê tình Long
The Peeping Rình coi vô tội Calvin
Naked Weapon Trần trụi đặc công Jack Chen
2003 Night Corridor Yêu đêm hành lang Sam Yuen/Hung Also producer
Love Undercover 2: Love Mission Tân trát sư muội 2: Mỹ lệ nhiệm vụ Au Hoi-man
Hidden Track Tìm kiếm Châu Kiệt Luân Police officer
Miss Du Shi Niang Miss Đỗ Thập Nương Ken Li
2004 Magic Kitchen Ma huyễn phòng bếp 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 đêm tối Lai Fu
Around the World in 80 Days — Bak Mei
The Twins Effect II Ngàn cơ biến II: Hoa đều đại chiến Wei Liao
Beyond Our Ken Công chúa báo thù nhớ Ken
New Police Story Tân cảnh sát chuyện xưa 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 chỗ rẽ Coke
Drink-Drank-Drunk Ngàn ly không say Michael
Everlasting Regret Trường hận ca Kang Mingxun
2006 Rob-B-Hood Bảo bối kế hoạch Brokeback Security agent Daniel
McDull, the Alumni Xuân điền hoa hoa đồng học sẽ 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 Rõ ràng A D
Blood Brothers Thiên đường khẩu Ah Fung
2009 Shinjuku Incident Tân túc sự kiện Jie/Joe
Overheard Nghe trộm phong vân Max Lam
Like a Dream Như mộng Max Also associate producer
Jump Nhảy ra đi Doctor
2010 Hot Summer Days Toàn thành tình yêu cuồng nhiệt Sushi master
Triple Tap Thương vương chi vương Chong Tze-wai
2011 Don't Go Breaking My Heart Độc thân nam nữ Kevin Fong
The Founding of a Party Kiến đảng sự nghiệp to lớn Hu Shih
Overheard 2 Nghe trộm phong vân 2 Joe Szema
Inseparable Như hình với bóng 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 thịnh yến Xiang Yu
CZ12 Mười hai cầm tinh Hospital Doctor Cameo
2013 Europa Report — William Xu
Control Khống chế Mark Also producer
2014 That Demon Within Ma cảnh Dave Wong
Overheard 3 Nghe trộm phong vân 3 Joe
Don't Go Breaking My Heart 2 Độc thân nam nữ 2 Kevin Fong
2015 I Am Somebody Ta là người qua đường Giáp Cameo
Go Away Mr. Tumor Cút đi! U quân Dr. Liang
2016 Warcraft — Gul'dan
Sky on Fire Tận trời hỏa Zong Tianbao
2017 Geostorm — Cheng Long
Wished Xoay ngược lại 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 Love Hurts — Knuckles Gable 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]

[48] [49]

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]
  1. ^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.
  2. ^"How actor Daniel Wu became a star in both Hong Kong and Hollywood".South China Morning Post.October 13, 2023.RetrievedJuly 8,2024.
  3. ^abcFrater, Patrick (April 11, 2006)."Golden deal is 'Heavenly'".Variety.RetrievedMay 18,2008.
  4. ^"China-Underground Movie Database".Archive of China Underground.June 16, 2016.RetrievedJune 19,2016.
  5. ^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.
  6. ^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.
  7. ^The California Report.July 20, 2018.
  8. ^"Daniel Wu interview".LOVEFiLM International Ltd. January 1, 2000. Archived fromthe originalon January 14, 2013.RetrievedMay 17,2008.
  9. ^"Jackie Chan: from action maestro to serious actor".China Daily.September 24, 2004.RetrievedMay 16,2008.
  10. ^Lee, Lisa (May 2, 2008)."Daniel Wu: alive, not dead".AsianWeek.Archived fromthe originalon July 19, 2008.RetrievedMay 17,2008.
  11. ^"University of Oregon Wushu Club".Archived fromthe originalon September 3, 2009.RetrievedMay 18,2008.
  12. ^Hui, Yuanna (October 23, 1998)."Drawing a blueprint for success".The Standard.Archived fromthe originalon May 22, 2011.RetrievedMay 18,2008.
  13. ^abScott, Matthew (November 14, 1999)."Daniel's dark awakening".NightCorridor.Archived fromthe originalon June 10, 2008.RetrievedMay 17,2008.
  14. ^abTse, Sabrina (May 7, 1998)."Screen newcomer enjoys his moment under the sun".The Standard.Archived fromthe originalon May 22, 2011.RetrievedMay 18,2008.
  15. ^Hui, Yuanna (October 23, 1998)."Drawing a blueprint for success".The Standard (HK).Archived fromthe originalon May 22, 2011.RetrievedMay 18,2008.
  16. ^"blog entry".Daniel Wu's official blog.November 22, 2001.RetrievedMay 17,2008.
  17. ^"Hong Kong Film Awards archive".Archived fromthe originalon April 14, 2016.RetrievedMay 31,2008.
  18. ^Johnson, G. Allen (March 17, 1999)."Fast road to stardom".SF Gate.San Francisco Chronicle.RetrievedMay 21,2008.
  19. ^ab"Daniel Wu interview".Hong Kong Cinema.Vengeance Magazine. January 2005.RetrievedMay 17,2008.
  20. ^ab"A conversation with Daniel Wu".August 24, 2003.RetrievedMay 17,2008.
  21. ^"The Heavenly Kings".San Francisco Chinatown.April 2007.RetrievedMay 21,2008.
  22. ^"blog entry".Daniel Wu's official blog.November 26, 2003. Archived fromthe originalon December 9, 2007.RetrievedMay 21,2008.
  23. ^Kan, Wendy (August 31, 2003)."'Whatever' goes on MTV prank spree ".Variety.RetrievedMay 21,2008.
  24. ^"Hong Kong Arts Festival archive".Archived fromthe originalon June 3, 2008.RetrievedMay 21,2008.
  25. ^Ng, Teddy (February 26, 2003)."Daniel takes center stage".The Standard.RetrievedMay 18,2008.
  26. ^Rothrock, Vicki (February 2, 2005)."HK film noms do the 'Hustle'".Variety.RetrievedMay 16,2008.
  27. ^"Hong Kong Film Awards archive".Archived fromthe originalon March 4, 2016.RetrievedMay 21,2008.
  28. ^"Golden Horse goes to mainland movie Kekexili".China Daily.December 5, 2004.RetrievedMay 16,2008.
  29. ^abChen, Fengfeng (August 4, 2005)."Daniel Wu forms a new band".China Radio International. Archived fromthe originalon May 5, 2009.RetrievedMay 16,2008.
  30. ^Rothrock, Vicki (September 4, 2005)."A word of cultural caution".Variety.RetrievedMay 16,2008.
  31. ^"Official blog for Alive".AliveNotDead.RetrievedMay 21,2008.
  32. ^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.
  33. ^abEddy, Cheryl (April 25, 2007)."Bubblegum bandits".San Francisco Bay Guardian.RetrievedMay 17,2008.
  34. ^ab"The great Cantopop swindle".The Standard.May 22, 2006. Archived fromthe originalon March 7, 2011.RetrievedMay 18,2008.
  35. ^abYoung, Jennifer (April 29, 2007)."Daniel Wu," Heavenly King "".indieWIRE.originally from SF360. Archived fromthe originalon March 13, 2008.RetrievedMay 17,2008.
  36. ^"Kevin Spacey in Chinese film | Variety".archive.is.February 5, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon February 5, 2013.RetrievedFebruary 26,2021.
  37. ^Young, Jennifer (March 15, 2008)."Daniel Wu".SF360.San Francisco Film Society. Archived fromthe originalon March 18, 2008.RetrievedMay 17,2008.
  38. ^"alivenotdead".April 8, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon May 27, 2008.RetrievedMay 21,2008.
  39. ^"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.
  40. ^"L'Oréal Taiwan".Archived fromthe originalon January 15, 2008.RetrievedMay 17,2008.
  41. ^"300 stars, nude in name of charity".China Radio International. November 30, 2006. Archived fromthe originalon January 10, 2007.RetrievedMay 16,2008.
  42. ^"discography".Jin's official website. Archived fromthe originalon May 13, 2008.RetrievedMay 16,2008.
  43. ^"Pooling resources".China Radio International. March 31, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon March 2, 2008.RetrievedMay 16,2008.
  44. ^Daniel Wu (April 17, 2010)."My Wedding!!!".alive not dead.RetrievedApril 17,2010.
  45. ^"Daniel Wu and Lisa S welcome baby girl".Asiaone.June 3, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon March 16, 2016.RetrievedNovember 17,2015.
  46. ^thestandard, Actor Daniel Wu denies rumors of supporting independence, August 21, 2019
  47. ^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.
  48. ^Daniel Wu at douban
  49. ^Daniel Wu at chinesemov
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