The film and television veteran was also known for her roles in “Hustlers,” “Iron Fist,” “Turning Red,” and “Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens.”

‘Daredevil’ star Wai Ching Ho dies at 82

The film and television veteran was also known for her roles in “Hustlers,” “Iron Fist,” “Turning Red,” and “Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens.”

By Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman is a news writer for with previous work in MUBI Notebook, Slant, and the LA Review of Books.

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July 12, 2026 8:26 p.m. ET

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Wait Ching Ho attends an ‘Iron Fist’ screening in New York City in 2017. Credit:

Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic

- Wai Ching Ho has died at age 82.

- The Hong Kong actress was best known for her role as Madame Gao in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

- Peter Shinkoda, who played Nobu Yoshioka opposite Ho on *Daredevil *season 1, said he “learned every minute from you when we were together” in a heartfelt tribute.

Wai Ching Ho, the prolific star of the big and small screens best known for her role as the villainous Madame Gao in the Marvel universe, died at 82.

Peter Shinkoda, who played Nobu Yoshioka opposite Ho in the first season of *Daredevil*, broke the news of her death on Saturday.

“I won’t ever forget you. I learned every minute from you when we were together on and off set. I know wisdom — I’d hang on your every word. We will meet again, my friend. You were beautiful,” he wrote on Instagram.

According to actor Perry Yung, who starred alongside Ho in the 2018 drama *High Resolution*, the actress died of a stroke on Friday.

Wai Ching Ho in the ‘Daredevil’ season 1 premiere episode.

* *has reached out a representative for the actress for comment.

Yung played Ho’s husband in the adaptation of Tao Lin’s novel *Taipei*. He took to Instagram with a moving tribute for the actress on Saturday, writing, “It’s a very emotional moment for all of us who knew Wai Ching Ho, She passed away peacefully after a stroke two days ago.”

The actor continued, “I had seen her perform many times on stage, had many a dim sum and she came to see [Slant Performance Group]... Wai Ching was a kind, compassionate human being whose work as an artist lifted every production to a higher standard, and we are better for it. Rest in power dear friend.”

Wai Ching Ho at a ‘Lucky Grandma’ screening during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City.

Michael Loccisano/Getty

Ho was born in Japanese-occupied Hong Kong in 1943. Though her career began in her home country, it flourished in the United States, where she got her first role on the now-defunct soap *One Life to Live *in 1987.

She appeared in Todd Solondz’s classic black comedy *Happiness*, and secured roles on both *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* and *Law & Order: Criminal Intent *before landing the part that would transform her career.

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Ho first appeared as the menacing and enigmatic Madame Gao on season 1 of *Daredevil *in 2015. The character proved so popular, and so instrumental to the broader workings of Marvel’s small-screen universe, that she crossed the character over onto series like *Iron Fist *and *The Defenders.*

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“I give a lot of credit to the writers, because they really loved the character as she evolved,” Ho reflected in 2017. “They gave her more and more to do. The thing is, she is very calm on the surface, but the mind is always going, always churning.”

*With reporting by Rance Collins.*

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