Jackie Chan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Yang Berbahagia Datuk Jackie Chan SBS MBE PMW
Chan in 2012
Member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
In office March 2013 – March 2023
Personal details
Born	Chan Kong-sang (1954-04-07) 7 April 1954 (age 70) British Hong Kong
Spouse	Joan Lin ​ (m. 1982)​
Children	2, including Jaycee Chan
Occupation	Martial artist actor director writer producer action choreographer singer stunt director stunt performer
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	Cantopop Mandopop Hong Kong English pop J-pop
Years active	1962–present
Birth name
Traditional Chinese	陳港生
Simplified Chinese	陈港生
Literal meaning	Chan the [Hong] Kong-born
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Chén Gǎngshēng Bopomofo ㄔㄣˊ ㄍㄤˇ ㄕㄥ Wade–Giles Chʻen2 Kang3-sheng1 Tongyong Pinyin Chén Gǎng-sheng IPA [ʈʂʰə̌n kàŋ.ʂə́ŋ] Yue: Cantonese IPA [tsʰɐ̏n kɔ̌ːŋ sɐ́ŋ] Jyutping can4 gong2 sang1
Stage name
Traditional Chinese	成龍
Simplified Chinese	成龙
Literal meaning	Becoming the Dragon
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Chéng Lóng Bopomofo ㄔㄥˊ ㄌㄨㄥˊ Wade–Giles Chʻeng2 Lung2 Tongyong Pinyin Chéng Lóng IPA [ʈʂʰə̌ŋ lʊ̌ŋ] Yue: Cantonese IPA [sȅŋ lȍŋ] Jyutping sing4 lung4
Real name
Traditional Chinese	房仕龍
Simplified Chinese	房仕龙
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Fáng Shìlóng Bopomofo ㄈㄤˊ ㄕˋ ㄌㄨㄥˊ Wade–Giles Fang2 Shih4-lung2 Tongyong Pinyin Fáng Shìh-lóng IPA [fǎŋ ʂɻ̩̂.lʊ̌ŋ] Yue: Cantonese IPA [fɔ̏ːŋ sìː lȍŋ] Jyutping fong4 si6 lung4

Fang Shilong (April 7, 1954), known professionally as Jackie Chan, is a famous actor, stuntman, film director, and martial artist from Hong Kong. Known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, and amazing stunts, Jackie Chan has become a global icon in the world of action movies. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he has starred in over 150 films, winning the hearts of fans all over the world.

Early Life

Jackie Chan tries on a fighter pilot's helmet with night vision goggles.

Jackie Chan was born in Hong Kong to Charles and Lee-lee Chan, who were refugees from the Chinese Civil War. His birth name, Chan Kong-sang, means "born in Hong Kong". When he was a baby, Jackie was nicknamed "Bao Bao," which means "cannonball," because he was a very energetic child.

His parents worked for the French Consul in Hong Kong, and Jackie spent his early years living on the consul's property in Victoria Peak. When Jackie was six years old, his family moved to Canberra, Australia. However, the following year, his parents sent him back to Hong Kong to attend the China Drama Academy.

Education and Training

Jackie Chan at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival

From the age of seven, Jackie studied at the China Drama Academy, a Peking Opera School run by Master Yu Jim-yuen. Life at the academy was tough. Students had to work very hard and were given very little food. They were also punished if they made mistakes or disobeyed the rules. But Jackie was a dedicated student and excelled in martial arts, acrobatics, singing, and acting.

During his time at the academy, Jackie became part of a performance group called "The Seven Little Fortunes". This group included some of Jackie's closest friends, like Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao. Together, they trained and performed, showcasing their skills in various shows and performances. Jackie's stage name during this time was Yuen Lo.

Early Career

Jackie Chan's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Jackie began his film career at a very young age. He made his first appearance at the age of five in the movie Big and Little Wong Tin Bar (1962). As a child actor, he took on small roles in other films, gaining experience and learning about the movie industry.

After graduating from the China Drama Academy in 1971, Jackie found work as a stuntman and acrobat. One of his early jobs was in the Bruce Lee film Fist of Fury (1972). He even performed a very high fall, which impressed many people, including Bruce Lee himself.

Breakthrough

Jackie Chan arriving for the press conference of the movie Little Big Soldier in 2010

In the mid-1970s, Jackie started to get bigger roles in kung fu movies. However, he didn't want to be just another Bruce Lee. Instead, he developed his own unique style, blending martial arts with comedy.

His breakthrough came in 1978 with the film Snake in the Eagle's Shadow. This movie was a hit and showed off Jackie's funny and acrobatic fighting style. Later that year, he starred in Drunken Master, which was another big success. These films helped establish Jackie as a major star in Hong Kong cinema.

Rise to Fame

Jackie Chan with actor Vijay in 2008

In the 1980s, Jackie gained more control over his films. He often worked as a producer, director, and even wrote and performed the theme songs. He began to experiment with more elaborate and dangerous stunts, which became his signature style.

Some of his most famous films from this period include the Project A series and the Police Story series. Project A (1983) introduced a new style of action comedy with amazing stunts. Police Story (1985) was another hit, featuring Jackie's incredible fight choreography and daring stunts.

Hollywood Success

The Hong Kong Star, in Hong Kong

Jackie Chan at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival

William, Prince of Wales, with actor Jackie Chan at the London Conference on The Illegal Wildlife Trade at the Natural History Museum, 12 February 2014

Jackie tried to break into Hollywood in the early 1980s, but his first few films didn't do very well. However, he didn't give up. In 1995, his film Rumble in the Bronx became a hit in North America, making him a mainstream celebrity.

This success led to more Hollywood roles, including the Rush Hour series with Chris Tucker and the Shanghai Noon series with Owen Wilson. These movies were very popular and made Jackie Chan a household name around the world.

Later Career

Even after achieving success in Hollywood, Jackie continued to make films in Hong Kong. He also explored different types of roles, including more dramatic parts. In 2010, he starred in The Karate Kid, a remake of the original 1984 film, where he played a kung fu master.

In 2011, Jackie made his 100th film, 1911, which was a historical drama about the Chinese revolution. He continues to make movies today, showcasing his talents in action, comedy, and drama.

Musical Career

Besides acting, Jackie Chan is also a talented singer. He took vocal lessons as a child at the Peking Opera School. In the 1980s, he began releasing music albums and has since become a successful singer in Hong Kong and Asia. He has released over 20 albums and has sung in Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese, Taiwanese, and English. Many of the films he has starred in also feature his songs as theme music.

Stunt Work

Chan on the USS Kitty Hawk in 2002 during the carrier's visit to Hong Kong

Chan at the launch of Bleeding Steel in July 2016

Jackie Chan is famous for performing his own stunts, no matter how dangerous they may be. He has been injured many times throughout his career, including broken bones, dislocations, and cuts. Despite the risks, he insists on doing his own stunts to give his audience the most exciting and authentic experience possible.

In 1983, Jackie formed the Jackie Chan Stunt Team. This group of talented stunt performers works with Jackie on his films, helping him create his signature action sequences. The team is known for their incredible skills and their willingness to perform daring stunts.

Philanthropy

Jackie Chan on the set of Chinese Zodiac (2 May 2012)

Chan and Qin Hailu singing in Shanghai, China in August 2006

Jackie Chan is also known for his charity work. He has been involved in many charitable activities for over two decades. In 1988, he founded the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation, which helps young people in need through various programs, including medical services, disaster relief, and scholarships.

In 2004, he established the Dragon's Heart Foundation to help children and the elderly in poor and remote areas of China. The foundation builds schools and provides aid to those in need. Jackie is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and has worked to support conservation, animal protection, and disaster relief efforts.

Personal life

In 1981, Chan met Taiwanese actress Joan Lin. In December 1982, they married in Los Angeles; their son, Jaycee Chan, was born the day after. Lin retired from acting after their marriage, but made a cameo in CZ12 (2012), in which she plays Chan's wife.

Chan had a relationship with Elaine Ng Yi-Lei, who gave birth to their daughter, Etta Ng Chok Lam, on January 18, 1999. Chan has never met his daughter since her birth.

He is a fan of the Italian duo Bud Spencer and Terence Hill, from whom he was inspired for his movies.

Awards and recognition

Jackie Chan has received many awards and honors throughout his career. He has stars on both the Hong Kong Avenue of Stars and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2016, he received an honorary Academy Award for his "extraordinary achievements" in film.

He has also won multiple Hong Kong Film Awards, MTV Movie Awards, and People's Choice Awards. In 2015, he received two Guinness World Records: one for the most credits in one movie (Chinese Zodiac) and another for the most stunts by a living actor.

•  United Kingdom :
  • Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) (1989)
•  Federal Territory (Malaysia) :
  • Commander of the Order of the Territorial Crown (PMW) – Datuk (2015)
• 2002 motion pictures star at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard on the Walk of Fame.
• The Jackie Chan Action Movie Awards, held at the Shanghai International Film Festival since 2015, is named after Jackie Chan.

Impact

Jackie Chan is more than just an actor; he is a cultural icon. His unique blend of martial arts, comedy, and daring stunts has influenced countless filmmakers and performers. He has brought kung fu movies to a global audience and has inspired people of all ages to pursue their dreams.

Interesting facts about Jackie Chan

• Chan is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential martial artists in the history of cinema.
• In 2015, Forbes estimated his net worth to be $350 million, and as of 2016^[update], he was the second-highest-paid actor in the world.
• In the 1970, Chan sworked as a construction worker. A fellow builder named Jack took Chan under his wing, thus earning Chan the nickname of "Little Jack," later shortened to "Jackie", which has stuck with him ever since.
• Chan speaks Cantonese, Mandarin, English, and American Sign Language and also speaks some German, Korean, Japanese, Spanish, and Thai.
• He is an avid football fan and supports the Hong Kong national football team, the England national football team, and Manchester City.
• The animated television series Jackie Chan Adventures (2000–2005) focuses on a fictionalized version of Chan.
• Jackie is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Jackie Chan quotes

• "The best fights are the ones we avoid."
• "Life will knock us down, but we can choose whether or not to stand back up."
• "Nothing makes me more determined to succeed than someone telling me something's impossible."
• "You don't need a reason to be nice to someone."
• "I never wanted to be the next Bruce Lee. I just wanted to be the first Jackie Chan."
• "Being still and doing nothing are two completely different things."

Filmography

Awards and nominations

See also

• Hong Kong action cinema