Ma Shaohua

Ma Shaohua (born 23 September 1955) is a Chinese actor best known for portraying historical figures such as Sun Yat-sen and Deng Xiaoping in several films and television series. He became widely known to audiences with Towards the Republic, The Emperor in Han Dynasty, The Rise of the Tang Empire, and Deng Xiaoping at History's Crossroads. Early life and education Ma was born into a Hui family in Guizhou, on 23 September 1955. After the third grade of primary school, he attended Beijing Opera Class of Guizhou Art School, studying Laosheng. In 1969, he became an actor at the Cultural Work Corps of Guizhou Military District and moved to Guizhou Modern Drama Troupe in 1975. After resuming the college entrance examination, in 1978, he entered Shanghai Theatre Academy, majoring in comedy. Acting career Ma made his screen debut with a supporting role as Sun Yat-sen in Li Dazhao (1989). In 1997, Ma made his film debut with a small role in the war film The Ninth Battalion. In 2000, he portrayed Sun Yat-sen in the biographical television series Civilian President.