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.
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 YearEnglish titleChinese title2007 Beautiful Light 宇光十色2008Fly 飞2009The Longest Night in Shanghai 夜上海2010Bright Moonlight 月光晴朗2010Confidence 自言自宇2013Out of the World 世界之外2016Flower in Hand 手花
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 2008 "Give You My Energy" 给你我的力量 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 OST2019 "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
Year English title Chinese title Role Notes/2006 Curse of the Golden Flower 满城尽带黄金甲 Medicine boySupport Role 2009 Evening of Roses 夜玫瑰 Lan Heyan Support Role2010 Illusion Apartment异度公寓 Meng Yifan 2011 East Meets West 东成西就 2011 Cameo 2013 The Cosplayers 百万爱情宝贝 Ye Chong 2015 Love Without Distance 土豪520 Yu Haiyan Surprise 万万没想到 Mu Rongbai The Little Prince 小王子 Fox Voice-dubbed 2017 The Founding of an Army 建军大业 Lin Biao Support Role 2018 A Better Tomorrow 2018 英雄本色4Zhou Chao2019 Mao Zedong 1949 决胜时刻 War correspondentSupport Role 20211921Li Xian GenSupport Role2022Ordinary Hero平凡英雄Song HuiCameo
Television series Year English title Chinese title Role Notes/2008 You Are My Dream 你是我的梦 Ma YuCameo 2010 The Legend of Daiyu 黛玉传 Jia Baoyu The Vigilantes in Masks 怪侠一枝梅 He Xiaomei 2011 Scarlet Heart 步步惊心 Huang Di Cameo 2012 Precious Mother, Precious Girl 宝贝妈妈宝贝女Zhang Hanzhe Xuan-Yuan Sword: Scar of Sky 轩辕剑:天之痕 Lü Chengzhi Support Role 2013 Romantic Heroes of the Tang Dynasty 唐朝浪漫英雄 Fei Ying Cameo Hot Mom Qiao Da 辣妈俏爸 Yuan Zhida Longmen Express 龙门镖局 Qingdong Cameo 2014 Lady's House 淑女之家 Su Zhiwen Young Sherlock 少年神探狄仁杰 Wang Yuanfang Swords of Legends 古剑奇谭 Fang Lansheng Support RoleRomantic Kitchen 浪漫满厨 Mi Qing Sunshine in Me 骄阳似我SingerCameo2015 In the Dream to Find the Answer 四手妙弹 Wen Shaohui Support RoleThe Gossip Girl 米粒向前冲 Meng Yan Time To Love抓緊時間愛Wen JunSupport RoleKung Fu Mother-in-Law 功夫婆媳 Huang Lezong 2016 Edge of Happiness 缘来幸福 He Mu Singing All Along 秀麗江山之長歌行 Yan Ziling Support Role By Marriage to Remember 毛丫丫被婚记 Xiang Hui Special appearance Ice Fantasy 幻城 Ying Kongshi / Li Tianjin Beauty Private Kitchen 美人私房菜 Li Ma 2017 Ice Fantasy Destiny 幻城凡世Ma Tianci / Ying Kongshi 2018 Secret of the Three Kingdoms 三国机密 Liu Xie / Liu Ping All Out of Love Liang Sheng The Best Meeting最好的遇见Xiang Hui2019 Scouring Marriage 亲爱的婚姻 Li Xiaojun River Flows To You 流淌的美好时光 Qi Ming My Mowgli Boy 我的莫格利男孩 Mo Ge Li / Xia Ye / Wolf2020 Heroes in Harm’s Way 最美逆行者 Tu Ziqiao2020Unbending Will石头开花Dai Zhiqiang 2021Humans Li Yao 2023Divine Destiny尘缘Ji Ruo Chen2024The Happy Seven in Changan 喜卷长安城Shang Guan Gu Chuan2025Legend of The Female General 锦月如歌Xiao Jing
Variety show Year English title Chinese title Role Notes/ 2015 Sisters Over Flowers 花样姐姐 Cast member 2016 Let Go of My Baby Season 1 放开我北鼻 2017Let Go of My Baby Season 2放开我北鼻2019We Grew Up我们长大了 The Inn 亲爱的·客栈2021The Wonderful Life生活真美好
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 China Billboard Award Ceremony Most Promising Newcomer Best Selling New Album Beautiful Light 7th China Original Song Award Best-selling Album 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 1st Fashion New Power Awards Fashion Artist Award 2014 4th LeTV Movie and Drama Awards Most Promising Film Actor The Cosplayers2nd Youku Young Choice Awards All-Rounded Artist Award 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 Platinum Artist Award 2nd OK! Fashion Attitude Awards Influential Male Celebrity Baidu Entertainment Awards Person of the Year 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
References
External links
Ma's Weibo