Actress Wai Ching Ho has reportedly died at age 82.
Wai memorably played Madame Gao in the Marvel shows Iron Hand, Daredevil, and The Defenders, as well as Constance Wu’s on-screen grandmother in the 2019 film Hustlers.
Born in Hong Kong, Wai’s illustrious acting career dates back decades – and includes appearances in big name shows including One Life To Live, Orange Is The New Black, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Flight of the Conchords, Fresh Off The Boat, Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, Law & Order, and Only Murders In The Building.
Ching’s talents extended beyond the screen; she has also acted on stage, with roles in Laowang: A Chinatown King Lear, Snow in Midsummer, Endlings.
Now former castmates are paying tribute to the ‘stellar artist’ who served as a ‘pillar’ to them both on and off stage.
‘I won’t ever forget you,’ Actor Peter Shinkoda posted to his Instagram. ‘I learned every minute from you when we were together on and off set. I know wisdom – I’d hang on your every word. We will meet again, my friend. You were beautiful.’
Actress Wai Ching Ho has died at age 82
Wai memorably played Madame Gao in the Marvel shows Iron Hand, Daredevil, and The Defenders, as well as Constance Wu’s on-screen grandmother in the 2019 film Hustlers
Actor and filmmaker Judy Lei wrote of Wai: ‘Wai Ching was super kind and generous when she played the Chinese School teacher in my first film back in 2019. We had lost our filming location close to midnight the night before and I broke the news to her in the morning.
‘She came to the new location, all prepped and ready to play—she even brought her own outfit. I forgot to have her sign some paperwork and went to her home a few days later to have her sign it. She never displayed an ounce of disappointment in my lack of experience.
‘That type of grace is something I’ll never forget. She came to the NYC Premiere at @asiancinevision #aaiff and I was once again embarrassed and unsure if she likes the venue or the how the film turned out. She did and I am so grateful for her to have said yes to the project.
‘I first saw her as Grandma in CHILDREN OF INVENTION. That red envelope scene at Ping’s still hits hard because the two kids stepped into adult roles (unknowingly) and Wai’s character was cautious of the situation & was protective. Thank you for writing such a real/human character @thetzechun. I’m so sad to hear of her passing.’
Actor Mahira Kakkar posted: ‘I had the enormous good fortune to work with Wai Ching Ho and to share a dressing room with her. She was incredible- warm, funny, caring, joyful, positive and a truly wonderful actor. At the age of 82? 83? she played a lead role -basically a female King Lear, and was riveting She would say to us- Eat two slices of raw ginger every day and you won’t get sick!
‘For those of us who did not have a lot of role models and mentors in the industry Wai was a pillar. I am deeply grateful I got to know her and I am very sad she is gone. She also utterly refused to speak ill of anyone.
‘My dear Wai you deserve all the standing ovations- what a stellar human and a stellar artist. What an example of how to live.’
Wai’s colleagues appear to be the one to have broken the news of her passing. A cause of death is not known.
Wai as Madame Gao in the 2015 show Daredevil
Wai with Sigourney Weaver in a scene from the Marvel show The Defenders
Heartbroken colleagues paid tribute to the actress who they admired so much
I’m so sad to hear of her passing,’ Judy Lei wrote of the late star
The Daily Mail has reached out to a representative for Wai but has not yet heard back.
According to IMDb, Wai first appeared on the big screen in the Robin Williams and Tim Robbin’s 1990 dark comedy, Cadillac Man.
She enjoyed an active acting career ever since.
Read the full article here
