Daniel Wu Neh-Tsu is a versatile actor and filmmaker who has made a name for himself in both China and Hollywood. With over 60 films under his belt, he’s a three-time Golden Horse Award winner and has starred in TV series like “Into the Badlands” and “American Born Chinese”.
Early Life And Education
Daniel Wu was born on September 30, 1974, in Berkeley, California, to Chinese immigrant parents. His mother, Diana Wu, was a professor, and his father, George Wu, was a engineer, and his mother. He has older sisters. Wu grew up in Orinda, California, and developed an interest in acting and martial arts at a young age. He attended the Head-Royce School in Oakland, California before going on to study architecture at the University of Oregon.
Wu’s parents encouraged his interest in Chinese culture and language, and he spent several summers in China visiting relatives and learning Mandarin. He also trained in martial arts, earning a black belt in wushu.
Career
Daniel Wu’s breakthrough came in 2000 with the film “City of Glass”, directed by Mabel Cheung. He then appeared in a string of successful films, including “Purple Storm” (2000), “The Peeping” (2002), and “Night Corridor” (2003).
In 2006, Daniel Wu starred in the critically acclaimed film “The Banquet”, directed by Feng Xiaogang. His performance as the prince earned him a Best Actor nomination at the Hong Kong Film Awards.
Daniel Wu continued to appear in a range of films, including “Protégé” (2007), “The Warlords” (2007), and “Overheard” (2009). He also began to venture into producing, founding the production company Diversion Pictures in 2008.
In 2015, he starred in the AMC television series “Into the Badlands”, which ran for three seasons. He played the lead role of Sunny, a powerful warrior in a post-apocalyptic world.
Personal Life
Daniel Wu married model and actress Lisa S. in 2010, and they have two children together, a son and a daughter. He is fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese.
Wu is also a founding member of the Hong Kong-based production company, Diversion Pictures, which has produced several films and television shows.
Filmography
Some notable films featuring Daniel Wu include:
- City of Glass (2000)
- Purple Storm (2000)
- The Peeping (2002)
- Night Corridor (2003)
- The Banquet (2006)
- Protégé (2007)
- The Warlords (2007)
- Overheard (2009)
- Donnie Yen’s Iceman 3D (2013)
- Into the Badlands (TV series, 2015-2019)
Awards
Wu has received numerous awards and nominations for his performances, including:
- – Best Actor nomination at the Hong Kong Film Awards for “The Banquet” (2006)
- – Best Actor nomination at the Golden Horse Awards for “Protégé” (2007)
- – Best Actor win at the Hong Kong Film Awards for “Overheard” (2009)
- – Best Actor nomination at the Saturn Awards for “Into the Badlands” (2016)
Daniel Wu Net Worth
Daniel Wu’s net worth is estimated to be around $20 million, accumulated through his successful acting career and production company.
