Biography
Who is Daniel Wu?
Early life and background
Daniel Wu was born in Berkeley, California, on September 30, 1974, and raised in Orinda, California. His parents originated from Shanghai before moving to the United States via Taiwan and Hong Kong. His mother, Diana Wu, worked as a university professor, and his father, George Wu, worked as an engineer.
During his childhood, Daniel developed a strong interest in martial arts after watching films starring Jet Li and Donnie Yen. He began studying wushu at the age of eleven. He attended the Head-Royce School in Oakland, California, and later studied architecture at the University of Oregon. While in college, he founded the University of Oregon Wushu Club in 1994 and served as its first coach.
Entry into acting
Following his graduation, Daniel traveled to Hong Kong in 1997 to witness the handover. At the suggestion of his sister, he began working in modeling. Film director Yonfan noticed Daniel in a clothing advertisement and offered him a starring role in a new movie. Despite having no prior acting experience and not speaking Chinese at the time, Daniel eventually accepted the part.
He successfully completed his first film, Bishonen, in 1998. To manage the language barrier, his assistant would read Cantonese scripts aloud while Daniel made detailed notes on pronunciation. Shortly after finishing that project, he received an offer to star in Mabel Cheung's City of Glass, earning a best new actor nomination at the Hong Kong Film Awards.
Film and television career
Daniel achieved a breakthrough performance in 1999 when he appeared in Benny Chan's Gen-X Cops. Over the following years, he built a diverse filmography including roles in Purple Storm, Love Undercover, and New Police Story, for which he won the award for best supporting actor at the Golden Horse Film Awards.
In addition to acting, he expanded into production and directing. He made his directorial debut with the 2006 mockumentary film The Heavenly Kings, winning the best new director award at the Hong Kong Film Awards. He later starred as Sunny in the AMC action television series Into the Badlands and appeared in the Disney+ series American Born Chinese.
Personal life and family
Daniel married Lisa S. In South Africa on April 6, 2010. Their daughter was born in May 2013. Following the passing of his mother in 2014, he relocated his family back to California to care for his elderly father and support his daughter's education. He maintains residences in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, and Oakland, California, and continues to practice martial arts.
Birthday and age
Daniel Wu was born on September 30, 1974, which makes Daniel 52 years old today. That birthday falls under the Libra sign. Daniel shares the date with 30 other famous people.
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