photo:
http://www.informal.ro/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/JackieChan.jpg
Biography
Jackie Chan is the son of Lee-Lee and Charles Chan who migrated to Canberra, Australia in 1960 as a refugee from the Chinese civil war and who had previously worked as a maid and butler for the French ambassador to Hong Kong. His Chinese name at birth was Chan Kong-sang (meaning "Born in Hong Kong").
Before he adopted the Westernised name, "Jackie", he was known by a variety of other nicknames. As he was a heavy baby, (12lb at birth, having apparently spent 12 months in the womb), his mother nicknamed him "Pao Pao" (meaning "Cannonball"). Later, while studying at the Peking Opera school (alongside Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao) he was known as Yuen Lo, as a mark of respect to his master, Yu Jim-Yuen.
In his early stuntman and acting career (prior to New Fist of Fury in 1976) he was known as Chen Yueng Lung (or Chen Yuen Lung). He was thereafter known as "Jackie", named by his Australian co-workers when living in Australia in 1976-19771. On the building site he worked on, he worked with Jack - due to the language barrier, he was known as little Jack (later shortened to Jackie). Because his father's family name was originally Fong and was changed only when arriving in Hong Kong, Jackie Chan's Chinese name was changed in family records years later to "Fong Si Lung2". He has also been listed as "Sing Lung" (meaning "Already a Dragon" or "Becoming a Dragon"), particularly in relation to his music and it may be no coincidence that his character in the film Fearless Hyena was called "Shing Lung".
Jackie married Taiwanese actress Lin Feng-Jiao in 1983 according to his autobiography, but many Asian sources state he was married on December 1, 1982. His official website states that he was married in 1982. Jackie and Lin Feng-Jiao had a son, Jaycee Chan (aka Jo-Ming), who was born on December 3, 1982, although Jackie's autobiography lists his son's birth year as 1984. Jackie also has a daughter, Etta Ng Chok Lam (b. 1998) with Elaine Ng Yi-Lei out of wedlock.
He was educated at Nan Hua Elementary Academy, but his parents felt he didn't fit in at school so they sent him to the Chinese Opera Research Institute (1961-1971) and Peking Opera School. Jackie was in the Seven Little Fortunes Chinese opera troupe as a youth, along with Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao and Corey Kwai.
Jackie is often labelled as doing all his own stunts. While this claim does not hold up to close scrutiny, he does insist on doing the majority of them, including stunts for other characters if they are not showing their faces, and has racked up an impressive list of injuries to prove it. (The closing credits of his movies usually show bloopers and at least one serious injury.) This is why he is unable to get insurance anywhere in the world. He came closest to death while filming Armour of God (1985), when he fell from a tree in a relatively routine stunt and fractured his skull.
Around the time of Project A in 1983, Jackie officially formed the Jackie Chan Stunt Team, allowing him to train and work with a group of trusted martial artists and stuntmen for each of his ensuing movies. Jackie says that this means it is easier to choreograph fight scenes as he already has trust in them.
In his autobiography, Jackie says he originally created his screen persona as a reaction to that of Bruce Lee, and the numerous imitators who appeared before and after Lee's death (see "Bruceploitation"). Where Lee's characters were typically stern, morally upright heroes, Jackie plays well-meaning, slightly foolish regular guys, often at the mercy of friends, girlfriends or families. However, his characters always triumph in the end.
Jackie repeatedly attempted to break into the American movie industry, appearing in movies like Battle Creek Brawl, Cannonball Run, Cannonball Run II and The Protector in the early 1980s. His friend, Sylvester Stallone, offered Jackie the role of the criminal, Simon Phoenix, in the futuristic film Demolition Man but he declined as he did not want to play a villain for fear of being typecast for any future Hollywood roles. The role was instead taken by Wesley Snipes.
While he did attain cult popularity in the US, his break into the mainstream was Rumble in the Bronx in 1995. He has attained the box-office guarantee that has so far eluded other Hong Kong movie stars like Chow Yun-Fat and Michelle Yeoh in Hollywood. He also made a successful animated series called Jackie Chan Adventures.
In 1994, MTV honoured Jackie with a lifetime achievement award for his action-oriented movies, and a year later, he made his "official" debut in North America with a worldwide release of Rumble in the Bronx.
Jackie Chan's star on the Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong
Jackie has a star on the Avenue of Stars in Hong Kong as well as the Walk of Fame. Jackie is also known as a major pop star in Asia and he released over 100 song titles in 20 albums since 1984. He sings in many different languages including English, Cantonese, Mandarin and Japanese.
As well as many on-going projects, Jackie is a keen philanthropist and has worked tirelessly to champion many charity works and causes. As a well-respected figure of the Hong Kong entertainment industry, he is often one of the leaders in such works, speaking up for conservation, against animal abuse as well as promoting disaster relief efforts such as the recent mainland China relief flood programmes and the 2004 Tsunami donations.
Filmography as Actor
Kung Fu Panda (2008)
Rush Hour 3 (2007)
Rob-B-Hood (2006) (Original Working Title, Project BB)
The Myth (2005)
New Police Story (2004)
The Twins Effect 2 (2004) (also known as The Huadu Chronicles: Blade of the Rose)
Around the World in 80 Days (2004)
The Medallion (2003)
The Twins Effect (2003)
Shanghai Knights (2003)
The Tuxedo (2002)
Rush Hour 2 (2001)
The Accidental Spy (2001)
Shanghai Noon (2000)
The King of Comedy (1999)
Gorgeous (1999)
Who Am I? (1999)
Rush Hour (1998)
Mr. Nice Guy (1998)
An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn (1997) (Cameo)
Police Story 4: First Strike (1996) (also known as Jackie Chan's First Strike)
Thunderbolt (1995) (also known as Dead Heat)
Rumble in the Bronx (1994)
Drunken Master II (1994) (known in the U.S. as The Legend of Drunken Master, 2000)
Once a Cop (1993), aka Supercop 2 and Police Story V
Crime Story (1993), also known as Police Story IV and The New Police Story
City Hunter (1993)
Police Story 3 (1992) aka Super Cop
A Kid from Tibet (1991)
Island of Fire (1991) (also known as The Burning Island)
Twin Dragons (1991) (also known as Brother vs. Brother and When Dragons Collide)
Armour of God II: Operation Condor (1990)
Miracles (1989) (also known as The Canton Godfather' and 'Black Dragon')
Police Story 2 (1988)
3 Brothers and one sister (Closed relationship) (1988)
Project A Part II (1987), (also known as Jackie Chan's Project A2, Project B)
Dragons Forever (1987)
Dirty Boys (1986) (also known as Naughty Boys)
Armour of God (1986)
Police Story (1985)
Heart of Dragon (1985)
Ninja and the Thief (1985) (also known as Ninja Thunderbolt)
The Protector (1985)
Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Stars (1985) (also known as My Lucky Stars 2)
My Lucky Stars (1985)
Wheels on Meals (1984)
Dragon Attack (1984)
Pom Pom (1984) (also known as Motorcycle Cop 2)
Two in a Black Belt (1984)
Cannonball Run II (1983)
The Fearless Hyena Part II (1983)
Winners and Sinners (1983) (also known as Five Lucky Stars)
Project A (also known as Jackie Chan's Project A) (1983)
Dragon Lord (1982)
Black Magic Wars (1982)
Fantasy Mission Force (1982)
The Cannonball Run (1981)
The Big Brawl (1980)
The Young Master (1980)
Dragon Fist (1979)
Fearless Hyena (1979)
Snake & Crane Arts of Shaolin (1978)
Snake in the Eagle's Shadow (1978)
Spiritual Kung-Fu (1978) (also known as Karate Ghostbuster)
Drunken Master (1978)
Magnificent Bodyguards (1978)
Half a Loaf of Kung Fu (1978)
The 36 Crazy Fists (1977)
To Kill with Intrigue (1977)
The Killer Meteors (1976)
36 Wooden Men (1976) (also known as Shaolin Chamber of Death, Shaolin Wooden Men, Shaolin Wooden Men - Young Tiger's Revenge)
Countdown in Kung Fu (1976)
New Fist of Fury
Mr. Boo 2 : The Private Eyes (1976)
All in the Family (1975)
No End of Surprises (1975)
Master with Cracked Fingers (1974)
Fists of the Double K (1974)
The Golden Lotus (1974)
Police Woman (1974)
Supermen Against the Orient (1974)
Facets of Love (1973)
Eagle Shadow Fist (1973)
Attack of the Kung Fu Girls (1973)
Lady Kung Fu (1972)
Bruce Lee and I (1972)
Little Tiger of Canton (1971)
Come Drink with Me (1966)
The Story of Qin Xianglian (1964)
Big and Little Wong Tin Bar (1962)
Discography
In Hong Kong and across Asia Jackie Chan is a very popular and successful singer. He started professionally producing records in the 1980s. He sings in many languages including Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese and English. He also sings many of his films theme songs, but when the films are released in Britain and the U.S. the original soundtrack is replaced.
Albums
With All One's Heart, (2002)
Jackie's latest album, With All One's Heart
The Accidental Spy (OST), (2001)
Asian Pop Gold, (2000)
Gorgeous (OST), (1999)
Best of JC, (1999)
Who Am I? (OST), (1998)
Rush Hour (OST), (1998)
Mulan (OST), (1998)
Mr. Nice Guy (OST), (1997)
Dragon's Heart, (1996)
Thunderbolt (OST), (1995)
Best of Movie Themes, (1995)
Japanese Release, (1995)
Drunken Master 2 (OST), (1994)
First Time, (1992)
Police Story 3 (OST), (1992)
Jackie, (1989)
See You Again, (1989)
Sing Lung, (1988)
The Best of JC, (1988)
The Best of JC (Version 2), (1988)
Giant Feelings, (1988)
No Problem, (1987)
Jackie Chan Sing Lung, (1986)
Shangrila, (1986)
A Boy's Life, (1985)
Thank You, (1984)
Love Me, (1984)
Music videos
Supercop OST:
What's Love Got To Do With It (Warren G Feat. Adina Howard and cameo appearance by Jackie Chan)
Mulan Chinese OST:
A Man Out Of You
Trivia
Skills
Though Jackie's willingness to do his own stunts was originally the trademark feature of his movies, he has sustained various injuries over the years which render him incapable of performing certain stunts. He tries to avoid stunts where he may suffer severe head trauma due to a near fatal incident that occurred while shooting Armour of God. He has also broken his left ankle so many times, he can no longer rely on it while pushing for a jump and must use his right foot instead. Over the years, he has been forced to use body doubles on various occasions.
He has a medical record so long that no life insurance company will cover him.
While not afraid to do his own stunts, he confesses that, like many, he is afraid of needles and hates taking shots. Unlike injuries that may come from a failed stunt, with a shot he "knows that it's coming."
He does know Kung Fu, and has trained under GrandMaster Leung Ting in Wing Tsun, as well as numerous other masters in Tong Long (Mantis), Bak Mei (White Eyebrow), as well as the traditional northern Shaolin Kung Fu he learned in opera school. Jackie has also learned numerous other styles of martial arts to help his screen fighting, including Hapkido, Boxing, Judo, Taekwondo and Hei Long (Under Master G.J. Torres). Jackie's personal style is said to be a mixture of Boxing, Wing Chun, Hapkido and Judo. He stated that some of his martial arts training has been attributed to Jin Pal Kim, a Korean hapkido stylist.
In the Media
Jackie with Disney Favourites
Jackie Chan has won several prestigious awards including The American Choreography Award, The World Stunt Award and has a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, along with several awards from Hollywood, Hong Kong, Montreal World and Fant-Asia Film Festivals; but he has never won an Oscar. Currently there is a campaign underway to award him an Honorary Lifetime Achievement Academy Award. To support this, everyone is eligible to cast a supporting vote (one time only) at: [1].
Has been voted 41st in a poll of the 100 Greatest Movie Stars on Channel 4 in the UK.
A television show, Jackie Chan Adventures, was based on Jackie Chan, his niece, and his uncle, as well as a shopkeeper.
He is the central subject of UK band Ash's song Kung Fu, which is used for the end credits of the UK version of Rumble in the Bronx (the US version uses a Tom Jones remake of Carl Douglas' Kung Fu Fighting).
The Pokémon Hitmonchan is named after him (similar in style to how the Pokémon Hitmonlee is named after Bruce Lee).
Tekken's Lei Wulong character is loosely based around Jackie Chan.
He helped to open Hong Kong Disneyland Resort in 2005.
Jackie had planned to star as Vin Diesel's role in the movie The Pacifier, but due to busy arrangements, did not take the role.
Was asked to play Wah Sing Ku in the Mel Gibson film Lethal Weapon 4 but turned down the part as he would have to play a criminal, Jackie often says he doesn't like to play real criminals as it is bad for his image, although he doesn't mind playing either comical criminals or anti-heroes as in his newest film Rob-B-Hood. The part of Wah Sing Ku was later played by Jet Li.
He has appeared along side bodybuilder turned actor turned governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger in a government advert to combat piracy, which can be viewed here.
Owns a Pewter Lamborghini Murcielago, which can be seen here.
Language
He sings many of his own movie theme songs. Jackie has had a fairly successful career as a recording artist (though not as successful as his movie career). The American versions of his movies do not typically feature the original theme songs, something which his fans find rather irritating. Jackie was also featured on the Mandarin soundtrack for the Disney movie Mulan, which includes a video on the DVD version.
With a few exceptions, Jackie always dubs his own movies. He is quite fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese and occasionally dubs himself in other languages (such as English).
He has named his lack of education his greatest regret in life.
See also
Cinema of China
Jackie Chan Stunt Team
Footnotes
Note 1: Australian Herald Sun, 9 July 2005.
Note 2: I Am Jackie Chan: My Life in Action, revised paperback edition, p.354, Variety Magazine
Further reading
Jackie Chan, I Am Jackie Chan: My Life in Action, Ballantine Books (June 28, 1999)
Curtis F. Wong and John R. Little, Jackie Chan (Best of Inside Kung-Fu), McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (December 11, 1998)
