Paul Cheng (b. 1978)
Alias:
Paul Chih-Ping Cheng
Birthplace:
Taipei, Taiwan
Born:
August 4, 1978
Paul Cheng is a bilingual, Taiwanese Canadian actor and stunt performer based in Vancouver, Canada. Paul was born to a Chinese father and Taiwanese mother in Taipei, Taiwan, on August 4, 1978, as Chih-Ping Cheng. He has a younger sister Yvonne, with whom he shares a special bond. Paul immigrated to Canada at the age of 9, and was raised in Toronto, Ontario. During his high school years, Paul played football and received an athletic scholarship to Simon Fraser University, where he graduated with a degree in economics. Paul is proud to be both the first Taiwanese-born professional football player, as well as the first Asian-Canadian to be selected as a first round draft pick, with the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League. After a small motion capture gig, Paul temporarily set aside his athletic ambitions, deciding to pursue work in Vancouver's vibrant film and television industry instead. Paul made his feature film debut in the Night at the Museum trilogy, playing a Hun in a museum exhibit that comes to life at night, starring Ben Stiller and the late Robin Williams. After the suggestion that fight skills could advance his career, Paul began learning how to box. A natural, Paul fought undefeated at a professional level before switching disciplines to MMA, where he was a top Heavyweight contender with ONE Championship in Asia. He transitioned once again, this time to arena football, where he won the CAFL Championship with the Beijing Lions. Paul continues to train extensively in martial arts, stunt work, and choreography, in addition to film and television performance. He has since performed in numerous feature films, streamer features, TV series, and streamer series alike, all of which validate the many facets of his expertise. Appearances in many of these fan favorites lead to his most anticipated role-to-date, Scrimshaw Sam in the upcoming feature film Peter Pan & Wendy. In addition to the impeccable work ethic and athleticism that he devotes to every project, Paul demonstrates the creative talent and experience of a professional stunt actor of over 15 years in the industry. Paul strives to bring a level of balanced diversity and authentic representation to the screen, while telling meaningful and entertaining stories.