In the act of performing his own stunts, he has broken his nose three times, his ankle once, most of the fingers in his hand, both cheekbones and his skull. Some of his favourite films include Gone with the Wind (1939), Singin' in the Rain (1952), and The Matrix (1999).
In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts. Jackie Chan has been acting since the 1960s and has appeared in over 100 films. Chan has received stars on the Hong Kong Avenue of Stars and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Jackie Chan's father originally surnamed Fang 房, but he changed his surname to Chen 陈 after immigrating to Hong Kong. This is why Jackie Chan's name was Chen Gangsheng/Chan Kong-sang 陈港生 when he was born. After Jackie Chan became an movie actor, he gave himself a stage name called 成龙.
Jackie Chan Revealed! Surprising Facts about Jackie Chan
Why is Jackie Chan special?
Jackie Chan (born April 7, 1954, Hong Kong) is a Hong Kong-born Chinese stuntman, actor, and director whose perilous acrobatic stunts and engaging physical humour made him an action-film star in Asia and helped to bring kung fu movies into the mainstream of American cinema.
Chan joined his parents in Canberra, Australia in 1971, where he briefly attended Dickson College and worked 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.
Know about Jackie Chan's honorary Oscar award for his contributions to the film industry in 2016. See how actor-director Jackie Chan reacted when he received an honorary 2016 Oscar for his films, some of which had contributed to the popularity of kung fu.
In addition to his issues with the scripts, he disagreed with the limitations put him on as an actor. He wrote in the book that he had very little freedom to improvise with his fight scenes and wasn't able to perform the “complex, beautiful movements” he had become accustomed to with his Hong Kong films.
In 1960, his father immigrated to Canberra, Australia, to work as the head cook for the American embassy, and Chan was sent to the China Drama Academy, a Peking Opera School run by Master Yu Jim-yuen. Chan trained rigorously for the next decade, excelling in martial arts and acrobatics.
During an awards ceremony in Beijing in April 2011, Jackie stated that he would be donating half his money to charity when he dies, instead of to his son. Jackie explained, "If he is capable, he can make his own money. If he is not, then he will just be wasting my money."
Unfortunately Bruce Lee's career did not last long because of his early demise but Jackie Chan is still going strong. On April 7, 2024 he celebrated his 70th birthday and declared that he has no plans to retire. Jackie Chan's long lasting film career is a testament to his dedication.
Jackie Chan in one sense is a true hero. His martial arts stunts and fights were some of the best of all time. If he was American, he would likely have become a star athlete jock. The man went through a tough childhood but the training and the hard work made him in this this crazy superhero on screen.
Jackie Chan is a prolific singer who started producing records in the early 80s. He started singing the theme songs over the closing credits of his films in 1980, when the film The Young Master was produced. Chan sang its theme song, titled "Kung Fu Fighting Man" entirely in English.
Chan founded the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation in 1988. It supports young people in various causes, including medical services 🏥, aid to victims of natural disaster or illness 🚨, scholarships 🎓, and youth activities ⚽️. As a UNICEF and UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador 🕊️, Chan is always ready to help 🙏.
He most recently had a voice role as Splinter in last year's animated hit “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” and he's currently set to reprise his role of Mr. Han in the next “Karate Kid” movie. The movie, directed by Jonathan Entwistle, unites Chan with original “Karate Kid” star Ralph Macchio.
“When I went to America to film, my English was terrible… I had to spend a month just to memorize a single line — even when I was sleeping, I would read the line in my dreams,” Chan, 68, recalled, according to Asia One. “Many words that I wanted to say, I couldn't. It was very frustrating.”
Jackie Chan's net worth is estimated to be $400 million, which he earned through an illustrious career in martial arts, movie acting, directing, production, endorsements, and investments.
"After 56 years in the film industry, making more than 200 films, after so many bones, finally," Chan, 62, quipped at the star-studded gala dinner while holding his Oscar.
Chan's originally and Chinese name is Chan Kong-sang 陳港生. His English name “Jackie Chan” has its own Chinese characters that is 成龍. Chan's English name's pinyin is Chénglóng. The definition of Jackie Chan means “Already a Dragon” and Kong-sang means “Born in Hong Kong”, and Chan meaning “Snow”.
These scientists have named a newly identified gecko species, the Jackie's day gecko (Cnemaspis jackieii), after Chan. This lizard is one of 12 new gecko species found in India that researchers describe September 23 in Zoological Research.
