Jackie Chan
Birthday:
7 April 1954, Victoria Peak, Hong Kong
Birth Name:
Kong-sang Chan
Height:
174 cm
Hong Kong's cheeky, lovable and best known film star, Jackie Chan endured many years of long, hard work and multiple injuries to establish international success via his early beginnings in Hong Kong's manic martial arts cinema industry.Jackie was born Kong-sang Chan on Hong Kong's famous Victoria Peak on April 7, 1954, to Charles and...
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Hong Kong's cheeky, lovable and best known film star, Jackie Chan endured many years of long, hard work and multiple injuries to establish international success via his early beginnings in Hong Kong's manic martial arts cinema industry.Jackie was born Kong-sang Chan on Hong Kong's famous Victoria Peak on April 7, 1954, to Charles and Lee-Lee Chan, and the family emigrated to Canberra, Australia, in early 1960. The young Jackie was less than successful scholastically, so his father sent him back to Hong Kong to attend the rigorous China Drama Academy, one of the Peking Opera schools. Chan excelled at acrobatics, singing and martial arts and eventually became a member of the "Seven Little Fortunes" performing troupe and began lifelong friendships with fellow martial artists / actors Sammo Kam-Bo Hung and Biao Yuen. Chan journeyed back and forth to visit his parents and work in Canberra, but eventually he made his way back to Hong Kong as his permanent home. In the early 1970s Chan commenced his movie career and interestingly appeared in very minor roles in two films starring then rising martial arts superstar Bruce Lee: Jing wu men (1972), aka "Fist of Fury" aka "The Chinese Connection", and the Warner Bros. production Enter the Dragon (1973). Not long after Lee's untimely death Chan was often cast in films cashing in on the success of Bruce Lee by utilizing words like "fist", "fury" or "dragon" in their US release titles.Chan's own film career was off and running and he swiftly appeared in many low-budget martial arts films that were churned out at a rapid fire pace by Hong Kong studios eager to satisfy the early 1970s boom in martial-arts cinema. He starred in Shao Lin mu ren xiang (1976) (aka "Shaolin Wooden Men"), Jian hua yan yu jiang nan (1977) (aka "To Kill With Intrigue"), Yi zhao ban shi chuang jiang hu (1978) (aka "Half A Loaf of Kung Fu") and Fei du juan yun shan (1978) (aka "Magnificent Bodyguards"), which all fared reasonably well at the cinemas. However, he scored a major breakthrough with the hit Zui quan (1978) (aka "Drunken Master"), which has become a cult favorite among martial arts film fans. Not too long after this, Chan made his directorial debut with Shi di chu ma (1980) (aka "The Young Master") and then "Enter the Dragon" producer Robert Clouse lured Jackie to the US for a film planned to break Jackie into the lucrative US market. Battle Creek Brawl (1980) (aka "Battle Creek Brawl") featured Jackie competing in a "toughest street fighter" contest set in 1940s Texas; however, Jackie was unhappy with the end result, and it failed to fire with US audiences. In a further attempt to get his name known in the US, Jackie was cast alongside Burt Reynolds, Roger Moore and Dean Martin in the Hal Needham-directed car chase flick The Cannonball Run (1981). Regrettably, Jackie was cast as a Japanese race driver and his martial arts skills are only shown in one small sequence near the film's conclusion. Stateside success was still a few years away for Jackie Chan!Undeterred, he returned to the Orient to do what he did best--make jaw-dropping action films loaded with amazing stunt work. Chan and his legendary stunt team were unparalleled in their ability to execute the most incredible fight scenes and action sequences, and the next decade would see some of their best work. Chan paired with the dynamic Sammo Hung Kam-Bo to star in Qi mou miao ji: Wu fu xing (1983) (aka "Winners & Sinners"), 'A' gai wak (1983) (aka "Project "A"), Kuai can che (1984) (aka "Wheels On Meals"), Fuk sing go jiu (1985) (aka "Winners & Sinners 2"), Xia ri fu xing (1985) (aka "My Lucky Stars 2", aka "Winners & Sinners 3"(. Chan then journeyed back to the US for another shot at that market, starring alongside Danny Aiello in The Protector (1985),) filmed in Hong Kong and New York. However, as with previous attempts, Jackie felt the US director--in this case, James Glickenhaus--failed to understand his audience appeal and the film played to lukewarm reviews and box-office receipts. Jackie did, however, decide to "harden" up his on-screen image somewhat and his next film, Ging chaat goo si (1985) (aka "Police Story") was a definite departure from previously light-hearted martial arts fare, and his fans loved the final product!This was quickly followed up with the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)-influenced Lung hing foo dai (1986) (aka "The Armour of God"), during filming of which Jackie mistimed a leap from a wall to a tree on location in Yugoslavia and fell many quite a few feet onto his head, causing a skull fracture. It was another in a long line of injuries that Chan has suffered as a result of doing his own stunt work, and he was soon back in front of the cameras. 'A' gai wak 2 (1987) (aka "Project A: Part 2"), Ging chaat goo si juk jaap (1988) (aka "Police Story 2"), Qi ji (1989) (aka "Mr. Canton and Lady Rose)", Fei ying gai wak (1991) (aka "Armour of God 2") and Ging chaat goo si III: Chiu kup ging chaat (1992) (aka "Police Story 3") were all sizable hits for Jackie, escalating his status to phenomenal heights in Asia, and to his loyal fan base around the globe. US success was now just around the corner for the the hard-working Jackie Chan, and it arrived in the form of the action film Hung fan kui (1995) (aka "Rumble In The Bronx", though it was actually filmed in Canada) that successfully blended humor and action to make a winning formula in US theaters.Jackie did not waste any time and went to work on Ging chaat goo si 4: Ji gaan daan yam mo (1996) (aka "Police Story 4"), Yat goh ho yan (1997) (aka "Mr. Nice Guy"), Ngo si seoi (1998) (aka "Who Am I"), which all met with positive results at the international box office. Jackie then went to work in the his biggest-budget US production, starring alongside fast-talking comedian Chris Tucker in the action / comedy Rush Hour (1998). The film was a bigger hit than "Rumble In the Bronx" and firmly established Jackie as a bona fide star in the US. Jackie then paired up with rising talent Owen Wilson to star in Shanghai Noon (2000) and its sequel, Shanghai Knights (2003), and re-teamed with Tucker in Rush Hour 2 (2001), as well as starring in The Tuxedo (2002), The Medallion (2003) and the delightful Around the World in 80 Days (2004). Not one to forget his loyal fan base, Jackie returned to more gritty and traditional fare with San ging chaat goo si (2004) (aka "New Police Story") and San wa (2005) (aka "The Myth"). The multi-talented Chan (he's also a major recording star in Asia) shows no sign of slowing down and has long since moved out of the shadow of Bruce Lee, to whom he was usually compared early in his career.Chan is truly one of the international film industry's true maverick actor / director / stuntman / producer combinations - he has done it the hard way, and always his way to achieve his dreams and goals to be an international cinematic star. Off screen he has been directly involved in many philanthropic ventures providing financial assistance to schools and universities around the world. He is a UNICEF GoodWill Ambassador, and he has campaigned against animal abuse and pollution and assisted with disaster relief efforts to the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami victims. Show less «
Don't try to be like Jackie. There is only one Jackie.... Study computers instead.
Don't try to be like Jackie. There is only one Jackie.... Study computers instead.
It's very important that I get hurt [when making a movie]
It's very important that I get hurt [when making a movie]
I'm crazy, but I'm not stupid.
I'm crazy, but I'm not stupid.
I don't want to be an action star, action star's life is so short. I want my life to get longer. I want my career to get longer.
I don't want to be an action star, action star's life is so short. I want my life to get longer. I want my career to get longer.
I have a few rules that I tell my manager: No sex scenes. No make love. The kids who like me don't need to see it. It would gross them out.
I have a few rules that I tell my manager: No sex scenes. No make love. The kids who like me don't need to see it. It would gross them out.
I never wanted to be the next Bruce Lee. I just wanted to be the first Jackie Chan.
I never wanted to be the next Bruce Lee. I just wanted to be the first Jackie Chan.
The ads all call me fearless, but that's just publicity. Anyone who thinks I'm not scared out of my mind whenever I do one of my stunts is c...Show more »
The ads all call me fearless, but that's just publicity. Anyone who thinks I'm not scared out of my mind whenever I do one of my stunts is crazier than I am. Show less «
My wish is to bring my heroes to the big screen, and many of them have already appeared in my films. The firefighter is the only one I have ...Show more »
My wish is to bring my heroes to the big screen, and many of them have already appeared in my films. The firefighter is the only one I have yet to put in a film. I have dragged this idea on for so many years, even if I want to make it, now I feel that my age makes me unsuitable. If I do make this film, I would no longer play a firefighter, and would more likely be a firefighting captain. But if I were to be honest with you, the role I want to play most is the firefighter. Show less «
I hate violence, yes I do. It's kind of a dilemma, huh?
I hate violence, yes I do. It's kind of a dilemma, huh?
In Hollywood, they care more about comedy, relationship and so many things before action stunts. In Hong Kong, we go straight into stunts an...Show more »
In Hollywood, they care more about comedy, relationship and so many things before action stunts. In Hong Kong, we go straight into stunts and action, but in America sometimes that's too much. So, now I'm making a film half and half - take some good things from Hollywood and some good things from Asia. Show less «
I'm not sure if it's good to have freedom or not. I'm really confused now. If you're too free, you're like the way Hong Kong is now. It's ve...Show more »
I'm not sure if it's good to have freedom or not. I'm really confused now. If you're too free, you're like the way Hong Kong is now. It's very chaotic. Taiwan is also chaotic. I'm gradually beginning to feel that we Chinese need to be controlled. If we're not being controlled, we'll just do what we want. Show less «
[on making his last action movie, 2012] I'm not young anymore. I'm really, really tired. And the world is too violent right now. It's a dile...Show more »
[on making his last action movie, 2012] I'm not young anymore. I'm really, really tired. And the world is too violent right now. It's a dilemma - I like action but I don't like violence. Show less «
I have reasons to do each film, I have something to say. Unlike "Rush Hour" there was no reason [in making it], you just give me the money a...Show more »
I have reasons to do each film, I have something to say. Unlike "Rush Hour" there was no reason [in making it], you just give me the money and I'm fine. I dislike "Rush Hour" the most, but ironically it sold really well in the U.S. and Europe. Show less «
[in June, 2013 in New Delhi, India for the inaugural Chinese Film Festival] I used to enjoy action; now I enjoy acting.
[in June, 2013 in New Delhi, India for the inaugural Chinese Film Festival] I used to enjoy action; now I enjoy acting.
[in June, 2013 in New Delhi, India for the inaugural Chinese Film Festival] Action stars have a shelf life. Actors go on till 70 or 80. I wa...Show more »
[in June, 2013 in New Delhi, India for the inaugural Chinese Film Festival] Action stars have a shelf life. Actors go on till 70 or 80. I want people to say Jackie is a good actor who can also do action. I want to be the Robert De Niro of Asia. Show less «
When I was younger I thought shark fin soup was good for the skin, for collagen. I thought tiger bone oil was good for when you get hurt. Th...Show more »
When I was younger I thought shark fin soup was good for the skin, for collagen. I thought tiger bone oil was good for when you get hurt. These kinds of things are always in your mind - traditional things. You eat pigs brain and you get clever. When you eat pig knuckles you feel good. Show less «
I was making a film in China. The government buy me a dinner. I sit down. Boom! - they give me shark fin soup. I said put it away. I said ca...Show more »
I was making a film in China. The government buy me a dinner. I sit down. Boom! - they give me shark fin soup. I said put it away. I said can I have some other soup, I just don't like shark fin soup...Sometimes when government do things, the people just don't concentrate. But if you use celebrity, they will believe it. We need more celebrities to speak out about this. Show less «
[on Donald Trump's presidency] Just give him a chance to try to change America and change the world. He's a businessman... I think he knows ...Show more »
[on Donald Trump's presidency] Just give him a chance to try to change America and change the world. He's a businessman... I think he knows how to handle these types of things Show less «
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Insp. Chan Ka Kui
Ry
Sergeant Dragon Ma Yue Lung
Wong Fei Hung
Passepartout
Bob Ho
Monkey
Asian Hawk
Mr. Han
C.N. Chan
Senior Insp. Chan Kwok-Wing
Buck Yuen
Lee
Jackie Lung
Lu Yan
Muscles
Chon Wang
Huang Xing
Jackie
Jerry Kwan
Jackie Chan
Thomas
Jack
Ma Yau
Chien Fu
Jimmy Tong
CID 07
Fong Ka Ho
Keung
Eddie Yang
Who Am I?
Jack
Mr. Feng
Steelhead
Inspector Eddie Chan
Sensei Wu
Quan