Biography
Paul Cheng is a bilingual Taiwanese Canadian actor and stunt performer based in Vancouver, Canada.
Born Chih-Ping Cheng in Taipei, Taiwan, to a Chinese father and Taiwanese mother, Paul has a close relationship with his younger sister Yvonne. He moved to Canada at age 9 and grew up in Toronto, Ontario. In high school, Paul played football and earned an athletic scholarship to Simon Fraser University, where he graduated with a degree in economics.
Paul holds the distinction of being the first Taiwanese-born professional football player and the first Asian-Canadian selected as a first-round draft pick by the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League. Following a brief motion capture job, he shifted focus from sports to pursuing a career in Vancouver’s dynamic film and television industry.
He made his feature film debut in the Night at the Museum trilogy, portraying a Hun in the museum exhibits that come to life at night, alongside Ben Stiller and the late Robin Williams. Encouraged to enhance his career through fight skills, Paul took up boxing, becoming an undefeated professional before transitioning to MMA, where he emerged as a leading Heavyweight contender with ONE Championship in Asia. Later, he switched to arena football, winning the CAFL Championship with the Beijing Lions.
Paul continues rigorous training in martial arts, stunt work, and choreography, alongside acting in film and television. He has appeared in numerous feature films, streaming features, TV shows, and streaming series, showcasing his diverse skill set. These roles culminate in his most anticipated part to date: portraying Masaaki Satake in the upcoming feature film The Smashing Machine.
With over 20 years of experience as a professional stunt actor, Paul combines exceptional work ethic, athleticism, and creative talent. He is committed to delivering authentic representation and balanced diversity on screen while telling engaging and meaningful stories.
