Actor Wai Ching Ho, who was known for her work in the Netflix Marvel shows, died from a stroke on Friday, July 10, 2026. She was 82 years old.

“Her family are deeply grateful for the incredible outpouring of love and support and the many beautiful messages and memories people have shared about our beloved Wai,” her family said in a statement. “Reading how much she meant to so many is comforting to us during this difficult time.”

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ho played Madame Gao, one of the founders of the Hand and a queenpin in New York City’s criminal underworld. Her character was connected to Wilson Fisk and used Rand Enterprises to run heroin in New York. She debuted the character in Daredevil in 2015, then she appeared in episodes of Iron Fist and The Defenders.

Ho was born on November 16, 1943, in Hong Kong, China. Her first onscreen role in the US was in episodes of One Life to Live, starting in 1983, then she was in Cadillac Man with Robin Williams. She was in Soapdish, two episodes of Swans Crossing, A Price Above Rubies, Keeping the Faith, and episodes of the Law & Order shows like Criminal Intent and Special Victims Unit.

She was in episodes of New Amsterdam and Flight of the Conchords, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, an episode of Blue Bloods, Premium Rush, and an episode of Orange is the New Black. Ho was in Fresh Off the Boat, Hustlers, she voiced Grandma Wu in Turning Red, and was in the sitcom Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens.

Ho appeared in Only Murders in the Building and her final role was in the podcast series, Aunties, in 2026.