An endlessly imaginative and compelling actor, Tzi Ma has created a score of memorable film, television and stage characters. From his recent roles as Hinh, a deadly efficient assassin and nationalist spy masquerading as Michael Caine's ever-invaluable assistant in The Quiet American, to his hilarious, lit-cigarette swallowing take on The General in Joel and Ethan Coen's The Ladykillers, Ma always delivers the unexpected.

2005 offered Ma even more opportunities to brand his indelible stamp on widely diverse projects, with a slate of shows including: a multi-episode cliffhanger for the critically acclaimed hit series 24; the inspirational family drama Akeelah & The Bee; Nick Cassavetes' Alpha Dog; the Indie experimental film by new filmmaker Juwan Chung, Baby, on which Ma also undertook the role of associate producer; an episode of JAG that aired in the spring, and the Indie movie Red Doors, which premieres at the 4th Annual Tribeca Film Festival in New York and was closing film for the L.A. VC Filmfest.

Tzi Ma was born in Hong Kong and raised in New York City. Surrounded by music, diverse cultures and an eclectic lifestyle, he defied tradition to study classical theatre and dance. Drive and versatility resulted in steady stage and film work and since that time he has appeared in such television series as The Practice, Jag, The Bernie Mac Show, Chicago Hope, Millennium, Jake 2.0, Martial Law, ER, Law & Order, Boomtown, as the star of the series Yellowthread Street, and in the popular recurring role of Det. Harold Ng on NYPD Blue. His numerous feature films include Rush Hour, Golden Gate, Dante's Peak, Rapid Fire, Chain Reaction, and the acclaimed Indie feature Catfish in Black Bean Sauce.

On stage he garnered critical and popular acclaim with his starring role of Master Wang/Sammy Fong in the revised version of Flower Drum Song by David Henry Hwang, at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. Ma also appeared in two plays written especially for him, The Dance and the Railroad, by Tony award-winning playwright Hwang (M. Butterfly) and In Perpetuity Throughout The Universe by Eric Overmyer.

Ma has received numerous awards and nominations for his work, including the Cine Golden Eagle Award for Best Actor and a Dramalogue Best Choreographer /Best Director Award for The Dance And The Railroad; an Ace Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in the MOW The Forgotten; and a Garland Award nomination for Best Actor, as well as a Los Angeles City Council Citation, for Flower Drum Song. Ma maintains homes in New York and Los Angeles.