Tzi Ma

Tzi Ma is the American actor who portrays The Dragon on ABC's Once Upon a Time.

Biography

Tzi Ma was born on June 10, 1962^[1] in Hong Kong^[2] and raised in New York with five other siblings. He is a fluent speaker in his native Cantonese and English.^[3] Tzi had always wanted to be an actor and studied classical theatre and dance. Despite disapproval from his family or the early prejudices of the media, he has been able to forge an exceptionally versatile career as an Asian American actor.^[2]

His film career includes major roles in the films The Quiet American with Michael Caine and the remake of The Ladykillers as well as appearances in the Asian American independent films The Sensei, Red Doors, Catfish in Black Bean Sauce and Baby. He is recognized for his role as Consul Han in the action and comedy packed Rush Hour starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker and in the third sequel installment, Rush Hour 3, as Ambassador Han.

He is also known for his role as Cheng Zhi, the head of security for the Chinese Consulate, on the television series 24 with Keifer Sutherland. He made two season four appearances with an uncredited return at the end of the final episode of season five, reprised the role again in the season premiere and the last eight episodes of season six. Tzi's voice credits include Bàba Ling, Francine's adoptive father, in the animated series American Dad! and in the video game Sleeping Dogs as Henry "Big Smile" Lee.

His other television guest appearances were on MacGyver, Walker, Texas Ranger, Law & Order, ER, Boomtown, Commander in Chief, Chicago Hope, The Unit, Star Trek: The Next Generation, L.A. Law, NYPD Blue, Millennium, Fringe, NCIS: Los Angeles, Hawaii Five-0, Lie to Me and The Cosby Show. Tzi has received awards for his acting roles including the Cine Golden Eagle Award for being the Best Actor in The Dance and The Railroad and Garland Award for his acting in the Flower Drum Song.

Tzi was among the many actors, producers, and directors interviewed in the 2006 documentary The Slanted Screen, directed by Jeff Adachi, about the representation of Asian American men in Hollywood.

In 2020, he portrayed Mulan's father in Disney's live-action adaptation of the animated movie.^[4]

He is married to Vancouver native and actress Christina Ma.^[5]

Trivia

Once worked as a social worker.^[5]
Was paired with his wife as an on-screen couple in the CBC television production of Dragon Boys.^[5]

Appearances

Once Upon a Time: Season Two
"Broken":	"We Are Both":	"Lady of the Lake":	"The Crocodile":	"The Doctor":	"Tallahassee":	"Child of the Moon":	"Into the Deep":	"Queen of Hearts":	"The Cricket Game":	"The Outsider":
Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent
"In the Name of the Brother":	"Tiny":	"Manhattan":	"The Queen Is Dead":	"The Miller's Daughter":	"Welcome to Storybrooke":	"Selfless, Brave and True":	"Lacey":	"The Evil Queen":	"Second Star to the Right":	"And Straight On 'Til Morning":
Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Appears	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent

Once Upon a Time: Season Five
"The Dark Swan":	"The Price":	"Siege Perilous":	"The Broken Kingdom":	"Dreamcatcher":	"The Bear and the Bow":	"Nimue":	"Birth":	"The Bear King":	"Broken Heart":	"Swan Song":
Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent
"Souls of the Departed":	"Labor of Love":	"Devil's Due":	"The Brothers Jones":	"Our Decay":	"Her Handsome Hero":	"Ruby Slippers":	"Sisters":	"Firebird":	"Last Rites":	"Only You":	"An Untold Story":
Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Appears

Once Upon a Time: Season Six
"The Savior":	"A Bitter Draught":	"The Other Shoe":	"Strange Case":	"Street Rats":	"Dark Waters":	"Heartless":	"I'll Be Your Mirror":	"Changelings":	"Wish You Were Here":	"Tougher Than the Rest":
Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Appears	Absent	Absent	Absent
"Murder Most Foul":	"Ill-Boding Patterns":	"Page 23":	"A Wondrous Place":	"Mother's Little Helper":	"Awake":	"Where Bluebirds Fly":	"The Black Fairy":	"The Song in Your Heart":	"The Final Battle Part 1":	"The Final Battle Part 2":
Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent

Once Upon a Time: Specials
"Magic is Coming":	"The Price of Magic":	"Journey to Neverland":	"Wicked is Coming":	"Storybrooke Has Frozen Over":
Absent	Archive	Absent	Absent	Absent
"Secrets of Storybrooke":	"Dark Swan Rises":	"Evil Reigns Once More":	"The Final Battle Begins":
Absent	Absent	Archive	Absent