NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 15: Actress Wai Ching Ho attends Marvel’s “Iron Fist” New York screening at AMC Empire 25 on March 15, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/WireImage)
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Wai Ching Ho, who played the villainous Madame Gao in the Marvel series Daredevil, Iron Fist and The Defenders, has died.
Ho’s Daredevil co-star Peter Shinkoda confirmed the actress’ death in an Instagram post on Saturday. She was 82.
In a separate Instagram post on Sunday, Shinkoda also wrote of Ho, “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.”
Perry Yung, who starred as Ho’s character’s husband in the film High Resolution, also wrote on Instagram Sunday, “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.”
Ho played Gao in six episodes in Daredevil, which was at the time a Netflix original series, in Seasons 1 and 2 from 2015-2016. She reprised the role of Gao in nine of the 13 episodes of Marvel’s Iron Fist series in 2017, and the actress was also featured in six of the eight episodes in Marvel’s The Defenders the same year.
In addition to her Marvel series work, Ho starred in Jennifer Lopez’s 2019 hit drama Hustlers, where she played the grandmother of Constance Wu’s character. Ho also voiced the role of Grandma/Grandma Panda in Disney’s animated feature Turning Red.
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Wai Ching Ho’s Screen Career Began In 1990
Born Nov. 16, 1943, in Hong Kong, Wai Ching Ho appeared in nearly 70 roles during her 36-year career.
Ho’s screen debut was in a bit role in Robin Williams’ dark comedy Cadillac Man in 1990. Her other film credits include Soapdish, Keeping the Faith and Robot Stories.