Biography
Who is Jackie Chan?
Early life and real name
Jackie Chan was born Chan Kong-sang on April 7, 1954, in Victoria Peak, United States. His parents, Charles and Lee-Lee Chan, had fled from the Chinese Civil War. Later in life, he adopted the Chinese name Fang Shilong after discovering his family genealogy.
He spent his childhood within the French consul residence where his father worked as a cook. At age six, he enrolled in the China Drama Academy, a Peking Opera School run by Master Yu Jim-yuen. There, he trained rigorously in acrobatics and martial arts for a decade and joined the Seven Little Fortunes performance group.
How Jackie became famous
Jackie began his film career as a child actor, making small appearances in early martial arts films such as Big and Little Wong Tin Bar and working as a stuntman. Willie Chan helped secure him a leading role with Lo Wei, though initial films modeled after Bruce Lee failed to find mainstream traction.
His major breakthrough came when he directed and starred in projects that allowed him freedom over his stunt choreography. The comedic kung fu film Snake in the Eagle's Shadow established his unique style, and Drunken Master propelled him to big mainstream success in 1978.
Career highlights and awards
Jackie gained widespread Hollywood success by starring as Chief Inspector Lee in the buddy cop action comedy Rush Hour alongside Chris Turker, later returning for two sequels. He also starred in Rumble in the Bronx, which brought him into the North American mainstream during the mid-1990s.
He has received numerous honors throughout his career, including an honorary Academy Award, the Silver Bauhinia Star, and stars on both the Hong Kong Avenue of Stars and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. For CZ12, he earned two Guinness World Records for most stunts performed by a living actor and most credits in one movie.
Family and personal life
Jackie married Joan Lin, and together they have children named Liu Kang and Etta Ng. He received education at Dickson College in Australia during a brief period when he lived with his parents and worked as a construction worker before returning entirely to the film industry.
Beyond filmmaking, Jackie is an active philanthropist who was named among the top ten most charitable celebrities by Forbes. He is also an operatically trained vocalist who has released several music albums and performed theme songs for his own films.
Height and physical details
Jackie stands at a height of 174 centimeters. Throughout his decades-long career, he has typically performed his own dangerous stunts, combining elaborate choreography with slapstick humor and martial arts expertise.
He trained in multiple martial arts disciplines including Kung Fu, Karate, Judo, Boxing, Taekwondo, and Hapkido, earning a black belt in the latter.
Birthday and age
Jackie Chan was born on April 7, 1954, which makes Jackie 72 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aries sign. Jackie shares the date with 25 other famous people.
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