Ma Tianyu

Ma Tianyu (Chinese: 马天宇; pinyin: Mă Tiānyǔ, born 12 July 1986), also known as Ray Ma, is a Chinese Mandopop artist and actor. He graduated from the Beijing Film Academy.

2006–2008: Debut as a singer

In 2006, Ma Tianyu entered the My Hero competition. He was the regional champion for the province of Wuhan and came sixth in the final round, and was chosen as 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 title song of the album, "The Death of Gentleness" was also chosen as 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 Jia Baoyu in the historical television series The Legend of Daiyu.

Ma first gained 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 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". 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 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 Yang Zi.

Ma Tianyu lost his mother at the age of five and his father left the family due to incurred debts. His younger brother was lost at a young age. He and his elder sisters were brought up by their grandfather who died several years later. Later, he has reconciled with his father but unfortunately lost his father recently.

Albums

Singles

Soundtracks and promotional songs

Other appearances