An endlessly imaginative and compelling actor, Tzi Ma has created a score of memorable film, television and stage characters. From "Hinh", a deadly efficient assassin and nationalist spy masquerading as Michael Caine's 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.

An American actor of Asian decent, Tzi was born in Hong Kong and raised in New York with 5 other siblings. 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.

Ma has recurred as Keifer Sutherland's nemesis Cheng Zhi on the hit series "24" and has just filmed the pilot of FINNEGAN for ABC. Audiences will recognize him from such films as RUSH HOUR, RUSH HOUR 3, DANTE'S PEAK, RAPID FIRE, GOLDEN GATE and acclaimed indies such as AKEELAH AND THE BEE with Laurence Fishburne, BABY, and CATFISH IN BLACK BEAN SAUCE. He has recently completed the films MANAGEMENT with Steve Zahn and BATTLE IN SEATTLE with Charlize Theron. His numerous television appearances include such series as THE PRACTICE, JAG, THE BERNIE MAC SHOW, ER, LAW & ORDER and in the popular recurring role of Det. Harold Ng on NYPD BLUE.

On stage Ma garnered critical and popular acclaim with his starring role as "Master Wang/Sammy Fong" in FLOWER DRUM SONG by Tony award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang, at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles where Ma also appeared in Hwang's most recent production YELLOWFACE. Ma starred in two plays written especially for him, THE DANCE AND THE RAILROAD, by Hwang and IN PERPETUITY THROUGHOUT THE UNIVERSE by Eric Overmyer (Executive Producer of LAW & ORDER).

Ma has received numerous awards and nominations for his work, including the Cine Golden Eagle Award for Best Actor in THE DANCE AND THE RAILROAD; an Ace Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in THE FORGOTTEN, (an MOW directed by James Keach); a Dramalogue Best Choreographer /Best Director Award for THE DANCE AND THE RAILROAD; and a Garland Award nomination for Best Actor, as well as a Los Angeles City Council Citation, for FLOWER DRUM SONG.

Tzi Ma has sought out roles that aspire to illuminate a more realistic portrayal of the Asian/Asian American/Asian Canadian communities. From the Chinese immigrant father struggling with his son's racial conflict in the award winning Canadian mini-series DRAGON BOYS to the vulnerable, emotionally bankrupt father in Georgia Lee's RED DOORDS Ma has created innumerable unforgettable characters. He was among a noted group of actors, writers and directors interviewed in the documentary THE SLANTED SCREEN that chronicles the images of Asian Americans in film and television.