Ma Tianyu

Ma Tianyu (; born 12 July 1986), also known as Ray Ma, is a Chinese singer and actor. He graduated from the Beijing Film Academy.

Career

Early life

Ma was born to an ethnic Hui family in Wucheng county, Dezhou, Shandong, China. At the age of 5, his mother died of suicide, and subsequently, his father left the family due to debts. Ma, along with his two sisters, went on to live with their elderly grandparents.

To support his family, at the age of 16, Ma relocated to Beijing, where he began working in various capacities. During his time as a bartender in Beijing, he encountered individuals associated with the entertainment industry who recognized his potential. They suggested that he pursue a career as an actor and advised him to undertake the entrance examination for the Beijing Film Academy.

In the absence of a clear career path, Ma followed the suggestion. Grappling with shyness during the auditions, Ma decided to participate in the talent competition My Hero (2006) to bolster his self-confidence.

2006–2008: Debut as a singer In 2006, Ma became the regional champion for the Wuhan area and came sixth in the final round of My Hero; he was elected the most popular contestant.

In 2007, Ma released his first album Beautiful Light. The album was well-received, and topped the Asia Music Chart for Chinese albums. Ma won two newcomer awards at the China Billboard Award Ceremony, and Most Popular Singer awards at the 5th Southeast Music Chart Awards and 11th Tencent Star Award Ceremony. "The Death of Gentleness" from the album was also chosen as one of the Top Ten Songs of the Year.

2009–2013: Acting debut and breakthrough Ma made his acting debut in the film Evening of Roses, based on a novel of the same name by Cai Zhiheng. In 2010, he played the character Jia Baoyu in the historical television series The Legend of Daiyu.

Ma first gained public attention in 2011 when he starred in wuxia drama The Vigilantes in Masks alongside Wallace Huo and Cecilia Liu. He won the Breakthrough Actor award at the 2011 Youku Television Index Awards. He then starred in Hunan TV's family drama Treasure Mother Treasure Girl (2012), which topped viewership ratings. The same year, he had a guest starring role in Xuan-Yuan Sword: Scar of Sky, which was well received by the audience.

In 2013, Ma starred in the comedy film, The Cosplayers, and was chosen as the Most Promising Film Actor for his performance.

2014–present: Rising popularity Ma gained an increase in popularity after starring in the wuxia drama Young Sherlock (2014). His portrayal of the elegant and dandy Wang Yuanfang was critically praised. He continued his success streak with dual roles in Swords of Legends (2014), which was a huge commercial success. The same year he released a single titled "Narcissus". The song received positive reviews from both the media and fans and topped various music charts in China.

In 2015, Ma joined the cast of travel-reality show Sisters Over Flowers, and sung the theme song titled "Let Time Rewind in the Wind" for the show. The same year, he starred in the comedy film Surprise. The film broke a million admissions and Ma received acclaim for his dynamic portrayal of a "tragic hero". Ma received the "Outstanding Male Artist" award at the Esquire Man at His Best Award. Ma on film set of A Better Tomorrow 2018 with co-stars in 2017. In 2016, Ma starred in the epic fantasy drama Ice Fantasy, based on Guo Jingming's best-selling novel City of Fantasy, playing the role of the silent and mysterious ice prince, Ying Kongshi. He became known to wider international audience following the airing of the drama. The same year, he released the album Flower in Hand to celebrate his 10th anniversary since debut.

In 2017, Ma ranked 95th on Forbes China Celebrity 100 list.

In 2018, Ma starred in the crime action film A Better Tomorrow 2018 by Ding Sheng. The same year, he starred in the television series historical drama Secret of the Three Kingdoms, playing Liu Xie; and romance melodrama All Out of Love.

In 2019, Ma starred in romance melodrama River Flows To You alongside Zheng Shuang, and romance environmental drama My Mowgli Boy alongside actress Yang Zi.

Discography Albums

Singles Year English title Chinese title 2006"Only Missing Autumn" 只欠秋天 2007 "Happy Story" 快乐童话 "We Are Ready" 我们准备好了 2008 "One World One Dream" 世界的梦想 2008 "Believe in Love" 相信爱 2011 "Save the World" 拯救世界 2014 "Narcissus" 纳西索斯

Soundtracks and promotional songs YearEnglish titleChinese titleAlbum2014"Falling Flowers" 落花 Young Sherlock OST 2014 "Orchid Bell Song" 兰铃曲 Swords of Legends OST 2015 "Let Time Rewind in the Wind" 让时光在微风中倒流 Sister Over Flowers OST 2015 "The Things We Want to Do and Accomplish" 想到和做到的 Kung Fu Mother-in-Law OST 2016 "Love As Sakura" 愛如櫻 Ice Fantasy OST 2016 "Whose" 谁Edge of Happiness OST2016 "Summer" 念夏 2018 "The Everlasting" 生生不息 All Out of Love OST 2019 "Loving La Vie En Rose" River Flows To You OST "My Motherland and I" 我和我的祖国

Other appearances YearEnglish titleChinese titleNotes/Ref.2017 "Bringing Moonlight on the Road 带上月光上路 Performance for CCTV Spring Gala

Filmography

Film

Television series

Variety show

Awards and nominations YearAwardsCategoryNominated workResult 20071st Star Style Awards Top Ten Fashion Idol 1st Baidu Entertainment Hot Point Top Ten Songs "The Death of Gentleness" Popular Music Video Award 11th "Qicai" Award Ceremony Top Ten Songs Most Popular Male Singer 6th China Gold Record Award Newcomer Award 11th Tencent Star Award Ceremony Most Popular Male Singer 5th Southeast Music Chart Awards Most Popular Singer Top Ten Songs "The Death of Gentleness" Music Radio China Top Chart Awards Top Broadcast Song of the Year 20087th 9+2 Music Pioneer Awards Top Ten Songs Newcomer of the Year (Mainland)4th Sina Internet TV Festival Popular Blogger Award Newcomer of the Year 12th "Qicai" Award Ceremony Best Male Singer "Fly" Top Ten Songs "Still Together" Best Music Video "Green Clothes"Music Radio China Top Chart Awards Top Broadcast Song of the Year 2009 Song of the Year Recommended Album Fly 2nd Baidu Entertainment Hot Point Top Ten Songs "Still Together" 201111th 9+2 Music Pioneer Awards Musical Improvement Award Trend Singer of the Year "My Dear, Where Are You?" 1st Youku Television Index Awards Best Breakthrough Actor The Vigilantes in Masks 2014 4th LeTV Movie and Drama Awards Most Promising Film Actor The Cosplayers 11th Man at His Best Awards Fashion Male Artist Award 2015 12th Man at His Best Awards Outstanding Mainland Artist 2016 1st KuGou Music Awards Most Popular Digital Album Flower in Hand 2017 Weibo Awards Ceremony Breakthrough Actor 11th Writers Rich List Best-Selling Author Ray Me 201834th Hundred Flowers AwardsBest Supporting ActorThe Founding of an Army 15th Esquire Man at His Best Awards Fashion Artist Award 15th China Philanthropist List Charity Star of the Year 2019 Golden Bud – The Fourth Network Film And Television Festival Best ActorRiver Flows To You, My Mowgli Boy