Wai Ching Ho

Wai Ching Ho
何煒晴
Ho at the 2017 German Comic Con
Born(1943-11-16)16 November 1943
Japanese-occupied Hong Kong
Died10 July 2026(2026-07-10) (aged 82)
OccupationActress
Years active1987–2026

Wai Ching Ho (Chinese: 何煒晴; 16 November 1943 – 10 July 2026) was a Hong Kong actress. Wai was best known for her role as Madame Gao in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in Daredevil (2015–2016), Iron Fist and The Defenders (both 2017). She voiced Grandma Wu in Disney/Pixar's Turning Red (2022) and had a recurring appearance in Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens. On stage, she also starred in Celine Song's play Endlings.

Wai died at the age of 82 from a stroke on 10 July 2026. Her death was announced two days later.

Selected filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1990 Cadillac Man Asian wife
1998 Happiness Student #1
2003 Robot Stories Bernice; Lady Vendor
2008 Adventures of Power Yolanda Fong
2010 The Sorcerer's Apprentice Chinese woman
2012 Premium Rush Sister Chen
2015 Tracers Chen
2017 April Flowers Future April
2018 Set It Up Kirsten's mother Uncredited
2019 Hustlers Destiny's grandmother
2022 Turning Red Grandma Wu Voice
2023 Lovely, Dark, and Deep Zhang
Sight Alian her final performance

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1987–1990 One Life to Live Kim 2 episodes
1992 Swans Crossing Dr. Kamber 2 episodes
2001 Law & Order Mrs. Ngai Episode: "Teenage Wasteland"
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Susan Guan Episode: "Inheritance"
Law & Order: Criminal Intent Jane Yu Episode: "Enemy Within"
2006 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Mrs. Wong Episode: "Proud Flesh"
2009 Flight of the Conchords Mrs. Lee Episode: "The Tough Brets"
2015 Orange is the New Black Mrs. Hu Episode: "Ching Chong Chang"
2015–2016 Daredevil Madame Gao 6 episodes
2016–2018 Fresh Off the Boat Big Auntie 2 episodes
2017 Iron Fist Madame Gao 9 episodes
The Defenders Madame Gao 6 episodes
2018 New Amsterdam June Chiang Episode: "Three Dots"
2019 Two Sentence Horror Stories Ma Episode: "Legacy"
2020–2023 Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens Le-Wei 5 episodes
2023 Only Murders in the Building Mei-Mei Episode: "Thirty"
2023 Law & Order: Organized Crime Sister Shu Episode: "Blood Ties"
2025 Law & Order Li Tan Episode: "Sins of the Father"

References

  1. ↑ "Wai Ching Ho – AlloCiné". Allocine.fr. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  2. ↑ Brandon Davis (19 May 2017). "Madame Gao Confirmed For The Defenders". Comicbook.com. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  3. ↑ LeGardye, Quinci (14 March 2022). "The Cast of 'Turning Red': Your Guide to Who's Who". Marie Claire Magazine. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  4. ↑ Rosario, Alexandra Del (22 July 2021). "'Nora From Queens': Awkwafina Takes On A New Job, Surprise Marriage Proposal In Season 2 Trailer". Deadline. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  5. ↑ Green, Jesse (10 March 2020). "Review: In 'Endlings,' the Pain of Swimming Between Worlds". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 8 June 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  6. ↑ "'Endlings' is a Luminous Story about Korean Sea Women, Identity in Art Making, and Wanting More | Arts | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  7. ↑ Earl, William (12 July 2026). "Wai Ching Ho, Veteran Actor Who Appeared in 'Daredevil' and 'Iron Fist,' Dies at 83". Variety. Archived from the original on 12 July 2026. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  8. ↑ Brunner, Raven (12 July 2026). "Wai Ching Ho, Marvel Villain in 'Daredevil' and 'Iron Fist', Dies at 82". People. Archived from the original on 13 July 2026. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  9. ↑ Oddo, Marco Vito (12 July 2026). "Wai Ching Ho, the Legendary Madame Gao of Daredevil, Dies at 82". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on 12 July 2026. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  10. ↑ "Wai Ching Ho: List of Movies and TV Shows". TV Guide. Archived from the original on 8 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.