Daniel Wu

Fast Facts

• An accomplished martial artist who has studied it since he was 11, founded the University of Oregon's Wushu Club in 1996 to promote Wushu, a sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts
• During a 1997 visit to Hong Kong, he ran short of money, leading his sister to suggest he begin modeling for some extra income
• Was discovered by Hong Kong photographer Yonfan, who spotted Wu's picture in a clothing advertisement
• Cast in Bishonen (1998), despite an inability to speak Hong Kong Cantonese or read Mandarin, which sparked Wu's transition into film and TV
• Received a Best New Actor nomination at the Hong Kong Film Awards for his work in City of a Class
• In 2005, formed the parody boyband Alive with friends Terence Yin, Andrew Lin and Conroy Chan to fuel their 2006 mockumentary The Heavenly Kings, which spoofed the Hong Kong music industry, a project that earned Wu the best new director award at the Hong Kong Film Awards
• In 2007, he re-launched his band's website AliveNotDead
• com as a platform for filmmakers, musicians and other artists to interact with fans
• Co-founder of the production company Diversion Pictures with Bishonen co-star Stephen Fung