Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jackie Chan

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Jackie Chan made an impact.

Jackie Chan, born Fang Shilong, is a highly influential Hong Kong actor, filmmaker, martial artist, and stuntman. Renowned for his acrobatic fighting style, slapstick comedy, and daring stunts performed without doubles, he gained international recognition for his unique on-screen persona. Chan's career started at the Peking Opera School, where he honed his martial arts and acting skills as one of the Seven Little Fortunes. With a filmography spanning over 150 movies across six decades, he is considered a cinematic icon and one of the most important martial artists in film history.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1980: Experimentation with elaborate stunt action sequences

In the early 1980s, specifically in 1980, Jackie Chan began experimenting with elaborate stunt action sequences in films such as The Young Master.

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1982: Dragon Lord film release

In 1982, Jackie Chan continued experimenting with elaborate stunt action sequences in films such as Dragon Lord, which featured a pyramid fight scene holding the record for the most takes required for a single scene, with 2900 takes. Dragon Lord also featured the final fight scene where he performs various stunts, including one where he does a backflip off a loft and falls to the lower ground.

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1983: Establishment of Jackie Chan Stunt Team

In 1983, the Jackie Chan Stunt Team was established. Jackie Chan has used them in all his subsequent films to make choreographing easier, given his understanding of each member's abilities. Chan and his team undertake many of the stunts performed by other characters in his films, shooting the scenes so that their faces are obscured.

1983: Official formation of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team and release of Project A

In 1983, the Jackie Chan Stunt Team was officially formed, and Project A was released. Project A added elaborate, dangerous stunts to the fights and typical slapstick humor; at one point, Chan falls from the top of a clock tower through a series of fabric canopies. Critics have compared his comedic stunts in Project A to Buster Keaton.

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1985: Release of Police Story

In 1985, Police Story was released, containing many large-scale action scenes, including an opening sequence featuring a car chase through a shanty town, Chan stopping a double-decker bus with his service revolver and a climactic fight scene in a shopping mall. During a stunt in this last scene, Chan suffered second-degree burns, a back injury and dislocation of his pelvis upon landing.

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1988: Founding of Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation

In 1988, Jackie Chan founded the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation to offer scholarships and aid to Hong Kong's young people, as well as provide assistance to victims of natural disasters or illnesses.

1989: Performance at the Concert for Democracy in China

In 1989, Jackie Chan performed at the Concert for Democracy in China in support of democratic movement during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.

1990: Release of Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu

In 1990, Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu was released for the PC-Engine and Nintendo Entertainment System.

1995: Appearance in Jackie Chan The Kung-Fu Master arcade game

In 1995, Jackie Chan was featured in the arcade game Jackie Chan The Kung-Fu Master.

2004: New Police Story

In 2004, Jackie Chan acted in the movie New Police Story, portraying a character suffering from alcoholism and mourning his murdered colleagues.

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2004: Launch of Clothing Line

In 2004, Jackie Chan launched his own line of clothing, which features a Chinese dragon logo and the English word "Jackie", or the initials "JC". He also owns other branded businesses, with a percentage of the profits going to various charities, including the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation.

2004: UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and Charitable Work

In 2004, Jackie Chan was a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and has championed charitable works and causes. He has campaigned for conservation and against animal abuse, and has promoted disaster relief efforts for floods in mainland China and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

2005: Creation of Dragon's Heart Foundation

In 2005, Jackie Chan created the Dragon's Heart Foundation to help children and the elderly in remote areas of China by building schools and providing for their needs.

June 2006: Pledge to Donate Half of Assets to Charity

In June 2006, Jackie Chan pledged to donate half of his assets to charity upon his death, citing his admiration for the philanthropic efforts of Warren Buffett and Bill Gates.

2006: Role in Rob-B-Hood

In 2006, Jackie Chan starred in Rob-B-Hood as Thongs, a burglar with gambling problems, marking his first time playing an antihero.

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2009: Role in Shinjuku Incident

In 2009, Jackie Chan played a low-level gangster in Shinjuku Incident, a serious drama set in Tokyo.

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2009: Named an "anti-drug ambassador" by the Chinese government

In 2009, Jackie Chan was named an "anti-drug ambassador" by the Chinese government, actively taking part in anti-drug campaigns and supporting President Hu Jintao's declaration that illegal drugs should be eradicated.

February 2010: Opening of Jackie Chan-Yaolai International Cinema

In February 2010, the first Jackie Chan-Yaolai International Cinema opened in China. Co-run by Hong Kong company Sparkle Roll Group Ltd, it was claimed to be the largest cinema complex in China with 17 screens and 3,500 seats. Chan hoped the venue's size would allow young, non-commercial directors to screen their films. Fifteen further cinemas were planned for 2010.

2010: Brand Ambassador for Kaspersky Lab

In 2010, Jackie Chan served as a brand ambassador for Kaspersky Lab's antivirus software in Asia.

April 2011: Headlining Charity Concert for Japan Disaster Relief

In April 2011, Jackie Chan and other Hong Kong-based celebrities headlined a three-hour charity concert, titled Artistes 311 Love Beyond Borders, to help with Japan's disaster recovery effort following the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The concert raised over $3.3 million.

2011: Expansion of Dragon's Heart Foundation to Europe

In 2011, the Dragon's Heart Foundation, founded by Jackie Chan, expanded its reach to Europe to continue its charitable work.

2013: Begining terms as a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference

From 2013 Jackie Chan served as a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, representing the "Literature and Arts" sector.

2013: Serving as a delegate to the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference

Since 2013, Jackie Chan has been a pro-China politician, having served two terms as a delegate to the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's political advisory body.

March 2015: Meeting with David Cheng and Discussion of Motorsports Team

In March 2015, Jackie Chan met with Asian Le Mans Series champion David Cheng. During their meeting, Chan expressed his interest in motorsports and they discussed the possibility of starting a racing team together.

2016: Partnership with David Cheng to Form Racing Team

In 2016, Jackie Chan partnered with David Cheng to form a racing team in the Asian Le Mans Series and the FIA World Endurance Championship. The team, initially named Baxi DC Racing Alpine, was the first mainland China-based operation in WEC.