Stephen Ma Jingtao (; born 14 February 1962) is a Taiwanese actor best known for acting in many Taiwanese, mainland Chinese and Singaporean television series since the early 1990s. Most of the more notable television series he acted in are of the wuxia and historical drama genres. Some of his notable roles in television series include: Zhang Wuji in The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber (1994); Lü Dongbin in Legend of the Eight Immortals (1999); Linghu Chong in The Legendary Swordsman (2000); Dorgon in Xiaozhuang Mishi (2002); Nurhaci in Taizu Mishi (2005); King Zhou of Shang in The Legend and the Hero (2007).
Early life Ma was born and raised in Taichung County, Taiwan, as the second of four children in his family. His ancestral home is in Suizhong County, Liaoning, China. He attended National Taichung Second Senior High School and graduated from Taipei World News Vocational School's Department of Radio and Television with a certificate in journalism.
Career Ma started his acting career by appearing in minor roles in Taiwanese television series such as The Former Husband, The Morning Fog and Guilty, before making his film debut in Spring Swallow in 1989. In the same year, he was nominated for the Golden Bell Award for Best Actor for portraying Zhang Changgui in Spring Come Again After Leave. He was nominated for the Golden Bell Award for Best Actor again in 1990 for his role as Luo Zhigang in Xue Ke.
In 1994, Ma starred as Zhang Wuji alongside Hong Kong actresses Kathy Chow and Cecilia Yip in the Taiwanese wuxia television series The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber, an adaptation of the wuxia novel of the same title by Louis Cha. In 1998, he portrayed Lü Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals in Chinese mythology, in the Singaporean television series Legend of the Eight Immortals. In 2000, he starred as Linghu Chong in the Singaporean television series The Legendary Swordsman, an adaptation of the wuxia novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer by Louis Cha.
Ma became more prominent in television after portraying the Qing dynasty regent Dorgon in the 2002 Chinese historical television series Xiaozhuang Mishi, which reached the top position in viewership when it was aired in mainland China and Taiwan. In 2003, he portrayed the Qing dynasty prince Yunreng in Huang Taizi Mishi. He starred as Nurhaci, the founder of the Qing dynasty, in the 2005 Chinese television series Taizu Mishi.
In 2007, Ma starred as the antagonist King Zhou of Shang in The Legend and the Hero, a 2007 Chinese television series adapted from the 16th century Chinese mythological fantasy novel Fengshen Yanyi. In 2012, he appeared as King Fuchai of Wu in the Chinese historical television series The Legend of Xishi.
Personal life Ma was twice married. His first marriage was to Tang Yun () and they have a daughter, Ma Shiyuan (; born 1991). After divorcing Tang in 1993, he married Chinese actress Wu Jia'ni () in 2007; the couple divorced in 2017. They have two children, Ma Shitian () and Ma Shixin ().
Filmography Film Year English Title Chinese Title Role Notes 1989 Spring Swallow 1990 Honor Thy Father 1991 When Dreams Come True 1994 Du Weigen 2012 Lu Junyi Lu Junyi 2015 Baby, Sorry
Television Year English title Chinese title Role Notes1984 Jiang Yiping 1985 The Morning Fog Qiu Dongli 1986 Guilty Kang Yizhen 1987 The Former Husband Qin Bin 1988 Fang Jiazhi Yang Ming 1989 Spring Come Again After Leave Zhang Changgui Song Yalun Wen Lichen 1990 Xue Ke Luo Zhigang Feng Fan'gao Wei Changfeng/ Wei Changlin Tong Cheng'en Crown Prince Dan 1991 Li Xiang 1992 Sushun Green Green Grass By The River He Shiwei 1993 Hao Zhen Mei Ruohong 1994 The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber Zhang Cuishan/ Zhang Wuji Cui Hu1995 Huang Feihong and Shi Sanyi Qi Tianci Ye Yilong/ Liu Hanxing Shao Yong 1996 The New Longmen Roadhouse Zhou Huai'an The Good Old Days Fong Ho Sang/ Chen Kang Fu Jingyang 1997 Love Is Payable Bai Lang Fated Love Fu Sounam 1998 Legend of the Eight Immortals Lü Dongbin Liang Guanglei 1999 The Legendary Swordsman Linghu Chong 2000 Xu Tingwen Ding Yin 2001 Liu Shishen Xue Dingshan/Xiang Yu The Legendary Siblings Ba Dao guest2002 Xiaozhuang Mishi Dorgon Liu Zhenbang 2003 Huang Taizi Mishi Yunreng Love in a Miracle Sum Yau Yin / Suen Yau Yin 2004 Cha Mulong Wen Feng 2005 Taizu Mishi Nurhaci The Jade King Tang Yuren The Legend and the Hero King Zhou of Shang 2008 Wobaxi Qiu Yingjie 2011 The Legend of Xishi King Fuchai of Wu
Theater Year English title Chinese title Role Notes 1992 Death of a Salesman Buf 2008 Like Shadows Da Qiao
Awards and nominations Year Title Award Result 1989 Spring Come Again After Leave Golden Bell Award for Best Actor 1990 Xue Ke Golden Bell Award for Best Actor 2005 Drama Festival - Favorite Actor 2012 Anhui Television - Asian Idol Award
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