Steve Ma

Ma Jingtao, born on February 14, 1962, in Taichung City, Taiwan Province, with ancestral roots in Liaoning Province. He has four siblings and is the second child in his family. His father once served as the director of the police station. From a young age, Ma Jingtao had a wide range of interests, particularly loving baseball, painting, and music. During high school, he formed a band with classmates and aspired to be in a pop group like the Bee Gees.

After graduating from high school, Ma Jingtao did not attend university but instead chose to serve in the military. Upon discharge, he interned at a television station and later joined a drama crew through a senior's recommendation, playing the second male lead, gradually entering the entertainment industry. Between 1984 and 1988, he starred in several TV dramas, including "The Hometown of the Stars," "The Cold Moon and the Lonely Star Sword," "Falling Flowers Still in Spring," and "Love Confused," gradually gaining recognition.

In his acting career, he focused on shaping commanding roles and drew attention for his portrayal of Qin Bin in "The Cold Moon and the Lonely Star Sword." During this period, he had a conflict with a journalist which affected his career, leading him to further his acting studies in the UK. After a year and a half, he returned to China to continue his work in entertainment. In 1989, he played the complex and emotionally conflicted character Zhang Changgui in the TV series "Spring Comes and Spring Goes Back," which helped deepen his character portrayal.

In 1990, he starred in the adaptation of Qiong Yao’s novel "Xue Ke," playing the male lead Luo Zhigang. That same year, he also starred in "Love Without a Contract." In 1991, he starred in the film "When Will the Moon Be Full," which screened at the Singapore International Film Festival. In 1992, he played the cynical young man He Shuwei in the TV drama "Qingqing Riverside Grass." In 1993, he starred in two of Qiong Yao’s "Plum Blossom Trilogy" series, "Plum Blossom Burning" and "Between Cloud and Water," earning praise for his acting and gaining the nickname "Ma Ge." During this period, he also had a cameo in "Talking about Cixi," playing Sushun.

In 1994, Ma Jingtao starred in Jin Yong’s martial arts drama "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber," playing the Ming Cult leader Zhang Wuji and his father Zhang Cuishan, which garnered widespread attention. He then gradually shifted his acting style from Qiong Yao dramas to costume wuxia series and modern urban dramas, and before 2002, began exploring the mainland Chinese market. Working with director You Xiaogang, he starred in "The Secret History of Empress Xiaozhuang," successfully portraying Dorgon, marking a transition to more restrained, tough-guy roles and becoming a representative of this image.

In mainland China, he starred in several historical dramas such as "The Crown Prince’s Secrets" and "The Great Ancestor’s Secrets," as well as various ancient costume series, earning recognition within the industry. In 2009, he founded "Tianxin Brothers Film and Television Culture Development Co., Ltd.," serving as the company's leader and directing his own drama "Quiet Duel." Since then, he has remained active in film, television, variety shows, and stage performances. In 2021, he played Lu Dongbin again in the film "East Tour: The Eight Immortals Vanquish Demons."

In his personal life, Ma Jingtao has been married twice. In 1990, he married Tang Yun, with whom he has a daughter, Ma Shiyi; they later divorced. In 2006, he met and fell in love with actress Wu Jiayi, who is 21 years younger than him; they married in 2007 and have two sons, Ma Shitian and Ma Shixin. The couple divorced in 2017. In recent years, he has frequently appeared in public, participating in variety shows and showcasing his multifaceted identity.

Additionally, Ma Jingtao has received numerous entertainment and public service awards, including winning the "Taiwan Milk Tea Killer" title in 2005, being nominated for the Best Actor at the Taiwan Golden Bell Awards in 2001, and receiving the Celebrity Public Service Award at the China Charity Festival in 2017. His career spans Taiwan and mainland China, with a rich body of work and a significant influence.