Karl Maka (born 29 February 1944) is a Hong Kong film producer, director, actor and presenter.
Early life Maka was born Mak Kar-sheung on 29 February 1944 in Taishan, Guangdong. He moved to Hong Kong in 1958 when he was 14 years old.
Education Maks moved to the United States in 1963 and in 1969, Maka earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics Engineering from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. He then began studying film production at the New York Institute of Photography.
Career While a student at the New York Institute of Photography, Maka started his career as a telephone company engineer before returning to Hong Kong in 1973.
In 1976, Maka began working in the Hong Kong film industry. He first appeared as an assassin in The Good, the Bad and the Loser (1976), which he wrote and directed. In 1978, Maka co-founded the film production company Gar Bo. In 1980, Maka founded Cinema City Enterprises. Maka is credited with over 35 films as an actor, over 30 films as a producer, 7 films as a writer and 10 films as a director.
One of Maka's most popular film roles is in the Aces Go Places film series, where he starred alongside Sam Hui.
Filmography Films Year Title Role Notes/ 1976 The Good, the Bad and the Loser writer / director 1977 Mian meng xin jing actor He Has Nothing But Kung Fu Sheriff actor Winner Takes All writer / director 1978 Hello, Late Homecomers Baldy actor Dirty Kung Fu actor Dirty Tiger, Crazy Frog writer / director 1979 Iron Fists actor / director Knockabout Police Captain actor Odd Couple Challenger cameo / producer His Name Is Nobody Baldy actor / director Xin tie cuo men shen actor 1980 Crazy Crooks Kong Koon Chat actor / director The Victim Shaolin Abbot actor / producer By Hook or by Crook Sheriff Butcher Wing actor / director 1981 Beware of Pickpockets Big Nose actor / producer Bu zhun diao tou All the Wrong Clues Capone actor / producer Chasing Girls cameo / director / producer Laughing Times Master Ting actor 1982 It Takes Two actor / director Aces Go Places Albert Au actor / producer Life After Life producer 1983 Aces Go Places 2 Albert Au actor Wo ai Ye Laixiang Patriot (prologue) actor Da zhui ji actor Esprit d'amour producer 1984 Aces Go Places 3 Albert Au actor Lifeline Express producer Merry Christmas actorThe Occupant producer 1985 Gong xi fa cai Gold Grabber actor For Your Heart Only producer 1986 Aces Go Places IV Albert Au actor / writer Lucky Stars Go Places Albert actor 1987 City on Fire producer Prison on Fire producer The Thirty Million Dollar Rush Baldy actor / writer / director / producer 1988 The Eighth Happiness Audience Member cameo School on Fire producer Tiger on Beat producer 1989 Aces Go Places 5: The Terracotta Hit Albert Au 'Baldy' actor / producer Triads: The Inside Story producer 1990 Chicken a La Queen producer Skinny Tiger, Fatty Dragon Skinny Also as producer. Tiger on the Beat 2 producer Undeclared War producer 1991 The Magnificent Scoundrels Master actor / producer The Banquet Mak cameo In the Lap of God producer Prison on Fire 2 producer 2000 Winner Takes All Inspector Stupid actor 2003 Zen Master actor 2016 The Bodyguard Old Man cameo, (final film role)
Awards Maka has received a star on the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Personal life In 1963, Maka and his family emigrated to the United States and lived in New York City. He returned to Hong Kong in 1973.
References
External links
HK cinemagic entry Karl Maka at lovehkfilm.com Karl Maka at letterboxd.com Karl Maka at bfi.org.uk Karl Maka at rottentomatoes.com Karl Maka at fareastfilms.com Karl Maka at filmaffinity.com Karl Maka at senscritique.com