Wai Ching Ho, the Hong Kong-born actress who played the formidable villain Madame Gao in Marvel's Daredevil and its related series, has died at the age of 82. No cause of death was disclosed.
According to Screen Rant, Ho is best known to American audiences for her role as Madame Gao in Daredevil season 1, Iron Fist, and The Defenders. She also provided the voice of Grandma Wu in Pixar's 2022 animated film Turning Red, which received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature Film and holds a 95% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Daredevil star Peter Shinkoda, who played Nobu Yoshioka in season 1, broke the news of Ho's passing on Instagram. "I won't ever forget you. I learned every minute from you when we were together on and off set. We will meet again, my friend. You were beautiful," Shinkoda wrote.
Mahira Kakkar, who performed alongside Ho in the National Asian American Theatre Company's production of Henry VI, also paid tribute on Instagram. Kakkar described Ho's performance as King Lear as riveting and called her a pillar, a stellar human, and a stellar artist.
Ho was born in Hong Kong on November 16, 1943. Her career spanned film, television, and stage over several decades. Before her Marvel role brought her wide recognition, she had appeared in multiple Law and Order installments, Flight of the Conchords, and The Sorcerer's Apprentice.
Her later credits included Orange is the New Black, Fresh Off the Boat, New Amsterdam, Hustlers, and Only Murders in the Building. On stage, her work included Endlings, Snow in Midsummer, and Pearl's Beauty Salon alongside Henry VI.
