Kenneth Ma

Kenneth Ma Kwok-ming (born 13 February 1974) is a Hong Kong actor contracted to TVB.

Ma had won the Most Popular Male Character award at the TVB Anniversary Awards for four times in 2012, 2017, 2018 and 2021 respectively, becoming the TVB actor with the most wins in that category. In 2019, he won the TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor with his role in the drama Big White Duel.

Early life As the youngest of a family of three children, Kenneth Ma has two older twin sisters. He attended Salesian English School before immigrating with his family to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 1992. His father, who worked as a mechanical engineer, would travel back and forth between Hong Kong and Vancouver for work. At first his family lived in Richmond before settling in Port Coquitlam. After attending one semester at Douglas College, he transferred to University of British Columbia majoring in mechanical engineering. During college, Ma joined an acting troupe that would perform sketches. After graduating from college in 1998, Ma and his entire family decided to return to Hong Kong.

When Ma returned to Hong Kong, he initially worked at a glass manufacturing company as a quality surveillance inspector but found his job boring. Hoping to find something more of his interest, he sent out over 70 resumes but only received a response from TVB for an interview notice to their 14th Artist Training Class. His starting salary at TVB was a meager estimated HK$4000.00 a month, one third of his former job salary, but since he found acting to be more suitable for him, he decided to join TVB.

Career

In the beginning of Ma’s career at TVB, he often played extras, passers-by and fill ins. One of Ma's early roles was playing the giant cockroach “Siu Keung” in Dayo Wong's music video "Blue Sky". Within 5 years since graduating from TVB's training course, the company started to promote him when he was chosen as one of the S4's in 2003 drama Triumph in the Skies and later as one of the six "siu sangs" to be the "Olympic 6" (the other five being Sammul Chan, Ron Ng, Bosco Wong, Raymond Lam and Lai Lok-yi) during the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

In 2006, Ma won the Most Improved Male Artiste award at the TVB Anniversary Awards. In late 2007, he played his first leading role in the drama Survivor's Law II.

In 2012, Ma gained recognition with his role as Cheung Yat-kin in the critical acclaimed medical drama The Hippocratic Crush, winning awards from both Malaysia (Favourite TVB Actor) and Hong Kong (My Favourite Male Character).

After starring in the hit 2013 drama Triumph in the Skies II, Ma caught the eye of international star Jackie Chan and was invited to star in the romantic comedy Fate Is a Game.

In 2017, Ma starred in the critically acclaimed supernatural drama The Exorcist's Meter as the taxi driver and exorcist Ma Kwai (Siu Ma). Acknowledging his strong performance in that series, Ma was labelled as "citizen's best actor pick" and became a strong contender for the Best Actor award at the 2017 TVB Anniversary Awards. He eventually won the Most Popular Male Character award, which was his second win in that category. In addition, Ma won the Best Actor in a Leading Role awards in both the People's Choice TV Awards 2017 and the Hong Kong Television Awards 2017, which served as a public recognition, as all awardees were 100% voted for by audience and netizens.

In 2018, Ma won the Most Popular Male Character award for the third time at the TVB Anniversary Awards with his role in the period drama Deep in the Realm of Conscience.

In 2019, Ma starred in critical acclaimed medical drama Big White Duel, eventually winning the Best Actor award at the TVB Anniversary Awards.

With his role in 2021 medical drama Kids’ Lives Matter, Ma won the Most Popular Male Character award at the TVB Anniversary Awards, which is his fourth win in that category.

Personal life Ma lives with his parents in a 900 square feet flat located in Tai Koo City, Hong Kong. He has said that his future wife must get along with his parents and be able to live together with them.

During his youth, Ma and his mother were fans of Leslie Cheung. Ma's mother adopted her western name after Cheung's hit song "Monica". At age 14, Ma was featured in Cheung's 1988 Pepsi commercial.

Ma is known to commute to work via mass transit even though he owns a car. He is a soccer fan and supporter of Real Madrid, Manchester United, and AC Milan.

Ma met Jacqueline Wong in 2015 during the filming of Inspector Gourmet. The two announced their relationship in 2017, but broke up after Wong was spotted kissing married star Andy Hui in April 2019.

On 12 June 2020, Ma and Roxanne Tong were found to be dating in Hung Hom. They admitted their relationship on the next day via Instagram. They became engaged in 2023. They got married in December 2023.

Filmography

Television dramas Year Title Role Notes 1999 Witness to a Prosecution Prince Cameo Life for Life Yuk-suet’s friend Cameo At the Threshold of an Era Stanley Cameo2000 Ups and Downs Doctor Cameo When Dreams Come True Real estate manager Cameo War of the Genders Franco Ep. 14 The Threat of Love Guest Cameo At the Threshold of an Era II Doctor Cameo Armed Reaction II Male Artiste Ep. 27 Lost In Love Lin Tin-lok’s friend Ep. 10 Return of the Cuckoo Chuk Kwan-ho's classmate Cameo The Legendary Four Aces Suzhou citizen / Treasury staff Ep. 1–3, 36 Street Fighters Plainclothes police Cameo A Matter of Customs Doctor Cameo Healing Hands II Drunk man Cameo Crimson Sabre Ng Tuk Religion believer Cameo FM701 Tang Sanzang Ep. 132001 FM701 Gordon Ep. 72 Seven Sisters Gangster Ep. 3 Armed Reaction III Bank staff / EODB officer Ep. 12, 32 In the Realm of Success Doctor Cheung Ep. 4 Colourful Life Scholar Ep. 4 Screen Play Leon Cameo Reaching Out Staff Cameo Gods of Honour Physician Ep. 28 Virtues of Harmony Yat Yeung Tsz Ep. 6 The White Flame Emergency room doctor Cameo At Point Blank Chan Siu-ming’s colleague Cameo The Battle Against Evil Soldier Cameo On the Track or Off TV station photographer Cameo The Heaven Sword & the Dragon Sabre Soldier / Waiter Cameo A Step into the Past Kam Ching's deceased husband Ep. 34 Country Spirit Physician Ep. 4 The Awakening Story Joe Cameo The Stamp of Love CID officer Ep. 302002 Virtues of Harmony Gangster / Hawker / Ma On-shan / Colleague Ep. 99, 109, 140, 157, 181 Law Enforcers Mark Cameo Legal Entanglement Playboy Ep. 10 Love is Beautiful Prison Guard / Gentleman / Soldier Cameo Invisible Journey Bill Collector Cameo A Case of Misadventure Kong Sei-hoi’s underling Cameo A Herbalist Affair Reporter Cameo Burning Flame II Billy Cameo Fight For Love Police officer Cameo Treasure Raiders Chow Chi-kong Cameo Slim Chances Peter Cameo Let’s Face It Tam Tin-chak’s university schoolmate Cameo Family Man Lawyer Wong Cameo Eternal Happiness Lai Ming-tong Doomed to Oblivion Civil servant Cameo Golden Faith Doctor Introduced in Ep. 36 Love and Again Manager Cameo Police Station No. 7 Police officer Cameo 2003 Whatever It Takes Entourage Cameo Take My Word For It SDU team leader Ep. 30 Better Halves Strong man Cameo The King of Yesterday and Tomorrow Sam Yat-lai’s friend Ep. 8 Vigilante Force Passerby Cameo Good Against Evil Sam Cameo In the Realm of Fancy Guard Cameo Perish in the Name of Love Entourage Cameo The Threat of Love II Dancing coach Cameo Strike at Heart Villager Cameo Survivor's Law Joe Chan Ep. 2-3 Point of No Return Shing Cameo The Driving Power Ko Wai-lei Triumph in the Skies Roy Ko Chi-wan 2004 Armed Reaction IV Andy Cameo The Vigilante in the Mask Au-yeung Hing Next Station Choi Hung Lui Siu-lung The Last Breakthrough Doctor Shek Ep. 18-21 Summer Heat Adam Cameo Net Deception David Cameo 2005 Scavengers' Paradise Tang Ken-chan Into Thin Air Koon Ching-wan Wong Fei Hung – Master of Kung Fu Kan Kin Lost in the Chamber of Love Emperor Tak-chung Misleading Track Vincent Life Made Simple Jason Ep. 282006 La Femme Desperado Ko Chi-lik TVB Anniversary Award for Most Improved Male Artiste Love Guaranteed Tim Kwok Fu-kan TVB Anniversary Award for Most Improved Male Artiste To Grow with Love Mak Ka-faiTVB Anniversary Award for Most Improved Male Artiste The Herbalist's Manual Pong Hin TVB Anniversary Award for Most Improved Male Artiste2007 The Brink of Law Yan Heung-ming Ep. 1-8 The Family Link Kam Shing-chun 2007–2008 Survivor's Law II Sun Man-kwan (MK Sun) 2008 The Master of Tai Chi Mai Fung-nin D.I.E. SIP Hugo Shing Ka-chun The Money-Maker Recipe Sun Man-kwan (MK Sun) Guest Appearance in Ep. 3 Speech of Silence Leung Kai-yin (OK Jai) Your Class or Mine Sun Man-kwan (MK Sun) Guest Appearance in Ep. 18–19 The Four Tit Yau-ha / Fok Yi 2009 Man in Charge Chow Bing In the Chamber of Bliss Yu Yam-kwok Born Rich Sha Po-loi2010 Don Juan DeMercado Kenneth Ma (Himself) Guest Appearance in Ep. 6 A Fistful of Stances Koo Yu-tong My AOD Favourites Award for My Favourite Top 15 Drama Characters The Mysteries of Love SIP Gordon Lo Tin-hang Can't Buy Me Love Ting Yau-wai 2011 Grace Under Fire Yau Sam-shui Main Role Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir! Jack Ep. 30 The Other Truth Alex Kong Lok-man Ep. 20–25 The Life and Times of a Sentinel Fuk-chuen, 2nd Imperial Prince My AOD Favourites Award for My Favourite Top 15 TVB Drama Characters 2012 The Hippocratic Crush Dr. Cheung Yat-kin My AOD Favourites Awards for TV Actor, Top 15 TVB Drama Characters, Onscreen Couple (with Tavia Yeung)StarHub TVB Award for My Favourite TVB Male TV Characters TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character Tiger Cubs To Tin-yu Ep. 1, 13 Three Kingdoms RPG Vincent Szema Shun StarHub TVB Award for My Favourite TVB Male TV Characters Silver Spoon, Sterling Shackles Charles Chung Kai-san 2013 Season of Love Joe Chu Cho-on Ep. 16–20 Triumph in the Skies II Roy Ko Chi-wang The Hippocratic Crush II Dr. Cheung Yat-kin TVB Star Award Malaysia for Top 15 Drama Characters, Onscreen Couple (with Tavia Yeung) TVB Anniversary Gala Vote by Artistes for Best Actor2014 Ghost Dragon of Cold Mountain Chu Cheung-Shing Main RoleTVB Star Award Malaysia for Top 15 Favourite TVB Drama Characters StarHub TVB Awards for My Favourite TVB Male TV Characters A Time of Love Oscar Ep. 2 Come On, Cousin Best actor Guest Appearance in Ep. 2 2014-2015 Noblesse Oblige To Chun-fung StarHub TVB Award for My Favourite TVB Male TV Characters 2015 Lord of Shanghai Young Kiu Ngo-tin StarHub TVB Award for My Favourite TVB Male TV Characters2016 A Time of Love II Oscar Ep. 1 Roger Ko Wing-hong Inspector Gourmet Yeung Tak-kei (Bill Kei) 2016-2017 Rogue Emperor Chu Kam-chun 2017 Chung Tai-yin (TY) StarHub TVB Award for My Favourite TVB Male TV Characters Lo Ping-on (OK Jai) StarHub TVB Award for My Favourite TVB Onscreen Couple (with Charmaine Sheh) Line Walker: The Prelude Ngai Tak-lai Guest Appearance in Ep. 30The Exorcist's Meter Ma Kwai (Siu Ma) TVB Anniversary Award for Most Popular Male Character Hong Kong Television Award for Best Leading Actor in Drama Series People's Choice Television Award for Best ActorPeople's Choice Television Award for Best TV Drama Partnership (with Hubert Wu)2018 Deep in the Realm of Conscience Yam Sam-shu TVB Anniversary Award for Most Popular Male Character 2019 Big White Duel Dr. Tong Ming TVB Anniversary Award for Best ActorStarHub Night of Star for Best TVB Male Artiste 2020The Exorcist’s 2nd Meter Ma Kwai (Siu Ma) Flying Tiger 2 Ting Ho-yin (Ting Sir) Bravo Ko Tai-king Line Waker: Bull Fight Wai Chok-wing (Wai Sir) / Ngai Tak-lai (Klein) 2021 KeanuGuest Appearance in Ep. 1 Yau Choi-shan Kids' Lives Matter Dr. Amos Fong Chung-yan TVB Anniversary Award for Most Popular Male Character 2022 Big White Duel II Dr. Tong Ming 2023 "Ocean" Kan Yiu-yeung Donald Kam Bing-shun Ping On Gor Guest Appearance in Ep. 30 The Queen of News George Leung King-yan TVB Anniversary Award for Favourite Actor in Malaysia2024 Yeung Sheung-wai 2025 The Queen of News 2George Leung King-yan

Films YearTitleRoleNotes 2003 The Final Shot TV movie Double Crossing TV movie2004 The Healing Spirit Angel TV movie Life in the Balance Sit-in student TV movie Double Crossing Cop TV movie 2010 72 Tenants of Prosperity Firefighter Cameo 2014 Impetuous Love in Action 2015 Triumph in the Skies Roy Ko 2018 Super Model Fantasy

Awards and nominations TVB Anniversary Awards Ma has won eight TVB Anniversary Awards between 2005 and 2023.

TVB Star Awards Malaysia Ma has won eight awards at the TVB Star Awards Malaysia (known as the My Astro On Demand Favourites Awards for a time) between 2010 and 2014.

StarHub TVB Awards Ma has won seven awards between 2012 and 2017 at the Starhub TVB Awards.

Next TV Awards

Yahoo Asia Buzz Awards

People's Choice Television Awards

Other awards + Year Award Category Drama Result 2012 Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild Awards Outstanding Television Performance Actor 2013 TVB Anniversary Gala Vote by Artistes Best Actor The Hippocratic Crush II — "Cheung Yat-kin" 2017 Weibo Star Awards Weibo Awesome TV ActorThe Exorcist's Meter — "Ma Kwai" Hong Kong Television Awards Best Leading Actor in Drama Series 2019 StarHub Night of Star Best TVB Male Artiste Big White Duel — "Tong Ming"