Jackie Chan

NAME Jackie Chan (born Chan Kong-sang)

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Jackie Chan is a legendary Hong Kong actor, martial artist, stuntman, singer, director, producer, and screenwriter. He is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, and innovative stunt work.

BIRTH Jackie Chan was born on April 7, 1954, in Victoria Peak, British Hong Kong.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Chan's family was very poor; so much so that he was almost sold to a wealthy British couple when he was a baby. His parents, Charles and Lee-Lee Chan, later migrated to Australia, where they worked as a cook and housekeeper for the American embassy in Canberra. Jackie joined them in 1971.

CHILDHOOD Jackie Chan was sent to the China Drama Academy, a Peking Opera School, at the age of seven. He trained intensively in martial arts, acrobatics, and singing under the strict guidance of Master Yu Jim-yuen. During this time, he also appeared in his first film, Big and Little Wong Tin Bar (1962), which was thought to be a lost film until it resurfaced on YouTube in 2016.

EDUCATION Chan did not attend a traditional school, instead focusing on his training at the drama academy.

In 1971, Chan moved to Canberra, Australia, to join his parents. He briefly attended Dickson College and worked as a construction worker. 

CAREER RECORD While working as a construction worker in Canberra, a fellow builder named Jack took the teenage Chan under his wing, which earned him the nickname "Little Jack," It was later shortened to "Jackie," a name that stuck with him for the rest of his life.

Chan began his career as a stuntman and extra in Hong Kong cinema, appearing in Bruce Lee's Fists of Fury and Enter the Dragon as a teenager. He eventually found his calling in combining comedy with martial arts, a genre he helped popularize with films such as Drunken Master. 

Chan's career spans decades and includes numerous hit films such as Police Story, Rush Hour, and The Karate Kid. He has directed several films and has also produced his own movies. Chan is known for his daring stunts and creative choreography, often performing his own stunts.

APPEARANCE Jackie Chan is known for his energetic and agile physical appearance, characterized by his lean build and a distinctively playful smile. He often dyes his hair black and wears a variety of hairstyles.

Chan in 2002 by U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Lee M. McCaskill -

FASHION Chan's fashion is often casual and practical, reflecting his martial arts background. He often wears comfortable, loose-fitting clothes suitable for his dynamic movements. In public appearances, he frequently opts for traditional Chinese attire or simple, stylish suits.

CHARACTER Jackie Chan is widely recognized for his perseverance, optimism, and humility. He has a reputation for being hardworking, always striving to perfect his craft and never shying away from a challenge. His approachable nature and commitment to his work have endeared him to fans worldwide.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Chan is known for his playful and light-hearted sense of humor, often seen in his films where he mixes comedy with martial arts. His humor often includes slapstick, clever wordplay, and an ability to make fun of himself, which has made his movies popular across different cultures.

RELATIONSHIPS In 1982, Jackie Chan married Joan Lin, a Taiwanese actress. They have a son, Jaycee Chan, who is also an actor and singer. Chan had an extra-marital affair with Elaine Ng Yi-Lei, which resulted in a daughter, Etta Ng Chok Lam, born on January 18, 1999. The affair caused a media scandal, though Chan later expressed regret over the incident.

MONEY AND FAME Chan achieved immense fame and wealth through his career in the film industry, becoming one of the most recognized and highest-paid actors in the world.. He’s got fans all over the world, from the East to the West. He’s got stars on the Walk of Fame and even an honorary Oscar. You’ll see references to him everywhere – in songs, cartoons, movies, and video games. And he’s a real philanthropist, frequently donating to various causes and organizations.

Despite his success, Chan has often spoken about the challenges of fame.

FOOD AND DRINK Jackie Chan enjoys a variety of Chinese and international cuisine but has often expressed a preference for simple, home-cooked meals. He maintains a balanced diet to stay in shape for his physically demanding roles. Chan is also known to be a fan of tea.

MUSIC AND ARTS After bustin’ his chops as a stuntman in a bunch of Hong Kong flicks, Jackie Chan finally got his big break in 1978 with Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow. He followed that up with more kung fu comedy gold like Drunken Master and The Young Master. By 1979, he was even directing his own movies, like The Fearless Hyena. 

But it was 1983’s Project A that really put him on the map, with his own stunt team and that crazy blend of martial arts, slapstick, and danger. He kept pushing the envelope with movies like Wheels on Meals and Police Story. By the 1990s, Chan was a global superstar with hits like Rumble in the Bronx and the Rush Hour series. And in 2010, he showed he could do more than just kick butt with The Karate Kid.

Chan is also a skilled martial artist and has choreographed many of his own fight scenes.

In addition to his film career, Chan is also a successful singer. He began his professional singing career in the 1980s and has released 20 albums since 1984 in multiple languages, including Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese, Taiwanese, and English. He often performs the theme songs for his movies, such as "Kung Fu Fighting Man" from The Young Master (1980), and even sang the Cantonese version of "I'll Make a Man Out of You" for Disney's Mulan.

LITERATURE Chan has authored several books, including his autobiography, I Am Jackie Chan: My Life in Action (1998), which details his personal and professional journey.

NATURE Jackie Chan is an advocate for environmental conservation and has been involved in various initiatives promoting wildlife preservation and sustainable living.

PETS Chan is known to be a dog lover and has owned several dogs throughout his life.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Chan is a passionate martial artist and has trained in a variety of styles, including kung fu, karate, and taekwondo. 

He is also a fan of sports, particularly basketball and soccer. Chan supports the Hong Kong national football team, the England national football team, and Manchester City. 

SCIENCE AND MATHS Chan's work as a director and stuntman involves a deep understanding of physics and the mechanics of movement.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Chan has expressed a pragmatic approach to life and success, emphasizing hard work, persistence, and a willingness to take risks. He often speaks of using his experiences to inspire others to overcome their own challenges.

POLITICS After the 1997 handover of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to China, Chan's political stance shifted from pro-democracy to pro-Beijing. He performed at the Concert for Democracy in China in 1989 but later expressed a desire to join the Chinese Communist Party.

SCANDAL Chan faced a significant scandal regarding his extramarital affair with Elaine Ng Yi-Lei, which resulted in a daughter born in 1999. The incident caused a media frenzy, and Chan later expressed regret over his actions.

MILITARY RECORD Jackie Chan has no formal military record, though he has portrayed numerous military and law enforcement roles in his films.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Chan is known for his physical fitness and rigorous training routines, which he maintains to perform his own stunts. However, he has suffered numerous injuries over his career, including a fractured skull, dislocated pelvis, and multiple broken bones.

HOMES Chan owns multiple properties around the world, including homes in Hong Kong, Australia, and the United States.

TRAVEL Due to his international fame, Chan has traveled extensively for both work and philanthropy, visiting numerous countries across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Chan has been a cultural icon and has appeared in various media, including movies, television shows, video games, and songs. He has inspired the character Hitmonchan in Pokémon and has been referenced in numerous other forms of entertainment, such as the anime Dragon Ball.

ACHIEVEMENTS Chan has won numerous awards throughout his career, including an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (as an executive producer). He is considered one of the most influential and iconic figures in the history of Hong Kong cinema.