Jackie Chan Biography

Born on Hong Kong’s Victoria Peak on April 7th, 1954, Jackie Chan is a versatile artist known for his work as an actor, martial artist, film director, producer, and stuntman. Since the 1960s, he has acted in over 150 films and has been estimated to have a net worth of $350 million by Forbes magazine in 2015. Apart from his acting talents, he is also a gifted singer.

Chan’s parents, Charles and Lee-Lee Chan, were refugees from the Chinese Civil War. As a child, Chan was nicknamed Pao-pao and joined the China Drama Academy at the age of six to learn music, dance, and martial arts. At the age of 17, he began working as a stuntman in the Bruce Lee films Fist of Fury and Enter the Dragon, using the stage name Chan Yuen Lung. He also starred in the comedic adult film All in the Family in 1975.

Chan’s talents led him from being a stunt player to a stunt director. He was inspired to create a new style in martial arts-based films after the death of Bruce Lee, who was a world-famous martial arts legend at the time. Chan’s breakthrough film was Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow in 1978, which was followed by Drunken Master, propelling him to mainstream success. The Big Brawl was his first Hollywood film in 1980. The Young Master, Project A, Armour of God, and Dragon Lord are some of his earlier Chinese hits. Chan’s most successful films include Shanghai Noon and Shanghai Knights with Owen Wilson, Rush Hour trilogy with Chris Tucker, and the epic film The Forbidden Kingdom, in which he starred with Jet Li.

Jackie Chan’s 1980 directorial debut “The Young Master” revolutionized martial arts films, leading him to Hollywood. Most of his movies have been box office hits, including “Police Story,” “New Police Story,” “Rush Hour” (1, 2, and 3), “Drunken Master,” “Forbidden Kingdom,” and many more. He always performs his own stunts.

In 1982, Chan tied the knot with Taiwanese actress Joan Lin, and they welcomed their son, singer and actor Jaycee Chan, the same year. He also had a daughter in 1999 as a result of an extramarital affair. Along with Jet Li and Bruce Lee, he is considered one of China’s greatest actors.

Chan is a true maverick in the international film industry, as an actor, director, stuntman, and producer. He has persevered through hard work and determination to achieve his dreams of becoming an international cinematic star

Profile

Name: Jackie Chan
Other name: Kong-sang Chan, Sing Lung, Pao Pao
Born: 7 April, 1954
Star Sign: Aries
Birth Place: Victoria Peak, Hong Kong
Height: 5 feet 8.5 inches
Education: Jackie Chan learned music, acting, dance and martial arts at China Drama Academy
Profession: Actor
Citizenship: China
Language: English, Chinese