Tzi Ma

Tzi Ma in 2016

Tzi Ma (June 10, 1962–) is a Chinese-American actor, who is well known for his roles in television shows, such as The Man in the High Castle and 24, and films, such as Dante's Peak, Rush Hour, Rush Hour 3, Arrival, The Farewell, and Tigertail.

Quotes

• I hope the quantities go up. Right now, there's still very few in my mind. I think that since Asian America is a multicultural, multi-ethnic society, we need as many voices that we can get out there to represent all of us. Because we cannot speak for everyone, we need more voices. We need diverse voices, we need mixes; we need many more diversity in the same screen. All of these things are things that are on the agenda, and I'm ticking them off one by one. That's how it goes.
  • On Asian representation in "Mulan: Tzi Ma Interview" in Screen Rant (22 September 2020)

• Focus on the work because, personally, that brings me through the toughest day — that I’m focusing on the work at hand instead of [all] of these things that are bombarding me. The chatter in your mind is strong. So, you need to be stronger.
  • As quoted in "How ‘Mulan’s’ Tzi Ma Became Hollywood’s Go-To Asian Dad (Watch)" in Variety (4 September 2020)

• I’ve studied martial arts for a long time. I started when I was eight years old, so I’m not unfamiliar. I’ve done fights before on other shows. You’ve seen me probably, if you’ve seen other shows that I’ve done in film and television, I’ve had my chance for some action. But the young ones are good, let them take over. They can carry the heavy weight. I’ll be happy to do the talking by now.
  • As quoted in "Geek Vibes Interview With ‘Kung Fu’ Actor Tzi Ma (Exclusive)" in Geek Vibes (29 March 2021)

• Carefully. I think particularly for actors of color, we have an added responsibility. I think under normal circumstances, if the playing field was equal, then you just do. You do whatever comes your way and you do the best job you can. For us, it’s a little bit different, I think. I think we need to exercise and develop our sense of good taste. I think we need to see characters that are three- dimensional because Hollywood has not done such a good job in the past on how to represent us. So we need to untie a lot of those expectations that are something that is not exactly representative of who we are. So that is something that we need to be cognitive of.
  • As quoted in "Geek Vibes Interview With ‘Kung Fu’ Actor Tzi Ma (Exclusive)" in Geek Vibes (29 March 2021)

• What I appreciate the most my job is working with so many talented people with a single focus to make the best film or TV show possible.
  • As quoted in "Interview: Tzi Ma Talks ‘Wu Assassins’ And His Upcoming Role In ‘Mulan’" in Close-Up Future (14 August 2019)

• We have to continue to tell our stories. And if we change one mind, it’s one mind that we changed and I’m happy with that.
  • As quoted in "‘Tigertail’s Tzi Ma Transcends Role As Hollywood’s Go-To Asian Father To Become Trailblazing Icon" in Deadline (8 April 2020)