Wai Ching Ho, an actor with dozens of film and TV credits including roles in recent Marvel series, has died at 83. The news was announced via her co-stars on Instagram, who paid tribute to the late actor, who was reported to have died of a stroke on July 10.
A representative for Ho confirmed her death to Variety, and onpassed a statement from her family, which read, “Her family are deeply grateful for the incredible outpouring of love and support and the many beautiful messages and memories people have shared about our beloved Wai. Reading how much she meant to so many is comforting to us during this difficult time.”
In addition to playing Madame Gao in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which led to appearances in series such as “Daredevil,” “Iron Fist” and “The Defenders,” Ho also voiced Grandma Wu in the Pixar film “Turning Red,” and had a role in the comedy series “Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens.”
Actor Perry Yung paid tribute to his late friend on July 12, writing on Instagram, “It’s a very emotional moment for all of us who knew Wai Ching Ho. She passed away peacefully after a stroke two days ago. I had seen her perform many times on stage, had many a dim sum and she came to see @slantperformancegroup many times. I even had the enormous good fortune of having played her husband (parents to @justinchon) in the film High Resolution. Wai Ching was a kind, compassionate human being whose work as an artist lifted every production to a higher standard, and we are better for it. Rest in power dear friend.”
Ho was born in Hong Kong in 1943. Her first on-screen American role was in the 1990 Robin Williams vehicle “Cadillac Man,” and she was active through the decades across film (“Soapdish,” “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” “Hustlers”) and TV (“One Life to Live,” “Flight of the Conchords”). She even had a voice role in the bestselling video game “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.”
The news was first shared by Ho’s “Daredevil” co-star Peter Shinkoda, who also paid tribute to the late actor on Instagram on July 12, writing, “I won’t ever forget you. I learned every minute from you when we were together on and off set. I know wisdom – I’d hang on your every word. We will meet again, my friend. You were beautiful.”