Wai Ching Ho, who is known for playing Madame Gao in the Marvel series Daredevil, Iron Fist, and The Defenders, has passed away at the age of 82. The news was announced by the performer’s colleagues and collaborators through social media.
Actor Peter Shinkoda, who shared the screen with the artist in Daredevil, reported her passing through an Instagram post on July 11.
“I just lost someone very special to me. She was one of the coolest people,” accompanied by the hashtag #Gao, in reference to the character the actress played within the Marvel television universe.
Subsequently, Shinkoda shared several photographs of Ho and posted a second message in which he recalled the time they worked together.
Peter Shinkoda paid tribute to Wai Ching Ho after her death.
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“I will never forget you. I learned every minute from you when we were together on and off set. I knew the wisdom; I always listened attentively to every one of your words. We will meet again, my friend. You were precious,” he wrote.
So far, representatives for the celebrity have not issued an official statement regarding her passing; however, actor Perry Yung noted that Ho “passed away peacefully after suffering a stroke two days ago”.
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Yung recalled having crossed paths with Wai Ching Ho in various theatrical and film productions.
“I had seen her perform many times on stage, we had eaten a lot of dim sum, and she came to see Slant Performance Group many times. I even had the enormous good fortune of playing her husband (parents of Justin Chon) in the film High Resolution,” he wrote.
In addition, Mahira Kakkar also shared a message on social media to remember Ho. In her post, she described her as a warm, funny, and positive person, while also highlighting that she served as a reference for various Asian-American actors and actresses within the entertainment industry.
Kakkar noted that Ho was a supportive figure for those who had few role models in the artistic field and expressed her gratitude for having had the opportunity to know her and work with her.
Born in Hong Kong, Wai Ching Ho developed an extensive career in film, television, and theater in the United States. Over several decades, she participated in productions of various genres and consolidated a trajectory in both theatrical stages and audiovisual projects.
One of her best-known roles was that of Madame Gao, a character introduced in the first season of Daredevil, released in 2015 by Netflix. The villain also subsequently appeared in the series Iron Fist and The Defenders, productions that were part of the Marvel television universe before its integration into the Disney catalog.
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Wai Ching Ho became one of Marvel’s villains after playing Madame Gao. (Video capture)
In addition to her participation in these series, Ho appeared in films such as Premium Rush, Hustlers, and High Resolution. On television, she was also part of the cast of productions such as Fresh Off the Boat, Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, and the soap opera One Life to Live, in which she appeared for two episodes.
In the field of animation, she lent her voice to the character of Grandma Wu in the film Turning Red, a Pixar production released in 2022.
Their career also included a prominent presence in theater. Among their stage works is Endlings, a play written by playwright and filmmaker Celine Song, presented in the off-Broadway circuit.
