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, celebrated for his acrobatic fighting style, comedic timing, and daring stunts. Beginning his career as one of the Seven Little Fortunes from the Peking Opera School's China Drama Academy, where he trained in acrobatics, martial arts, and acting, Chan has starred in over 150 films across six decades. He is considered an icon in martial arts cinema for his innovative and often self-performed stunts, solidifying his place as one of cinema's most recognized and respected martial artists.

Sections (6)

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

1980: Experimenting with elaborate stunt action sequences in films

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

1982: Dragon Lord Pyramid Fight Scene

In 1982, Jackie Chan's Dragon Lord featured a pyramid fight scene that holds the record for the most takes required for a single scene, with 2900 takes, and 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.

1983: Establishment of Jackie Chan Stunt Team

In 1983, Jackie Chan established the Jackie Chan Stunt Team to choreograph his films. This team has been used in all his subsequent movies to make choreographing easier because Chan understands each member's abilities. Chan and his team also undertake many of the stunts performed by other characters in his films.

1983: Official Formation of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team and Release of Project A

In 1983, Project A saw the official formation of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team and 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.

1985: Release of Police Story and Significant Injuries

In 1985, Police Story contained many large-scale action scenes, including 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.

1988: Founding of the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation

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

1989: Performance at 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.

2004: Championing Charitable Works and Causes

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.

2004: Portrayal of Alcoholic Character in New Police Story

In 2004, Jackie Chan acted with more emotion in his latest films. In New Police Story (2004), he portrayed a character suffering from alcoholism and mourning his murdered colleagues.

2004: Launch of Clothing Line and Branded Businesses

In 2004, Jackie Chan launched his own clothing line featuring a Chinese dragon logo and the word 'Jackie' or the initials 'JC'. He also expanded his branded businesses, including Jackie's Kitchen sushi restaurant chain, Jackie Chan's Cafe, Jackie Chan Signature Club gyms (in partnership with California Fitness), and a line of chocolates, cookies and nutritional oatcakes. A percentage of the profits from these businesses goes to various charities.

2005: Creation of the Dragon's Heart Foundation

In 2005, Jackie Chan created the Dragon's Heart Foundation to support children and the elderly in remote areas of China, providing schools, books, fees, and uniforms for children. The organization expanded to Europe in 2011.

2005: Participation in Hong Kong Disneyland Opening Ceremony

In 2005, when Hong Kong Disneyland opened, Jackie Chan participated in the opening ceremony.

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 of Warren Buffett and Bill Gates' charitable efforts.

2006: Playing an Antihero in Rob-B-Hood

In 2006, Jackie Chan played an antihero for the first time in Rob-B-Hood starring as Thongs, a burglar with gambling problems, to further shed the image of a "nice guy".

March 2008: Launch of Jackie Chan Science Centre

On 10 March 2008, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd launched the Jackie Chan Science Centre at the John Curtin School of Medical Research of the Australian National University, with Chan as the guest of honour. Chan is also a supporter and ambassador of Save China's Tigers.

2009: Acting as a Low-Level Gangster in Shinjuku Incident

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

2009: Appointed Anti-Drug Ambassador

In 2009, Jackie Chan was named an "anti-drug ambassador" by the Chinese government, actively taking part in anti-drug campaigns.

February 2010: Opening of Jackie Chan-Yaolai International Cinema

In February 2010, Jackie Chan-Yaolai International Cinema, co-run by Sparkle Roll Group Ltd., opened in China. Claimed to be the largest cinema complex in China with 17 screens and 3,500 seats, Chan hoped it would allow young, non-commercial directors the opportunity to have their films screened.

2010: Brand Ambassador for Kaspersky Lab

In 2010, Jackie Chan became the brand ambassador for Kaspersky Lab's antivirus software in Asia.

April 2011: Artistes 311 Love Beyond Borders Charity Concert

In response to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Jackie Chan and fellow Hong Kong-based celebrities, including American rapper MC Jin, headlined a special three-hour charity concert, titled Artistes 311 Love Beyond Borders, on 1 April 2011 to help with Japan's disaster recovery effort. The concert raised over $3.3 million.

2011: Inspiration for The Raid: Redemption

In 2011, Jackie Chan's fight sequences and action choreography served as an inspiration for The Raid: Redemption from Indonesian cinema.

2011: Expansion of Dragon's Heart Foundation to Europe

In 2011, the Dragon's Heart Foundation, founded by Jackie Chan, expanded its reach from China to Europe, continuing its mission to help children and the elderly in need.

2013: 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.

2014: Inspiration for Kingsman: The Secret Service

In 2014, Jackie Chan's fight sequences and action choreography served as an inspiration for Kingsman: The Secret Service.

March 2015: Meeting with David Cheng and Discussing Motorsports

In March 2015, Jackie Chan met with Asian Le Mans Series champion David Cheng, and they discussed Chan's interest in motorsports and 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 create Baxi DC Racing Alpine, a racing team in the Asian Le Mans Series and the FIA World Endurance Championship. The team was rebranded to Jackie Chan DC Racing and promoted Chan's movie Kung Fu Yoga.

January 2017: Donation to Thailand Flood Victims

In January 2017, Jackie Chan donated $65,000 to help flood victims in Thailand.

2017: Jackie Chan DC Racing Wins at Le Mans

In 2017, Jackie Chan DC Racing became the first Chinese team to win its class (LMP2) at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

2017: Inspiration for Atomic Blonde

In 2017, Jackie Chan's fight sequences and action choreography served as an inspiration for Atomic Blonde.

2018: Inspiration for Black Panther

In 2018, Jackie Chan's fight sequences and action choreography served as an inspiration for Marvel Cinematic Universe film Black Panther.

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2020: Inspiration for Birds of Prey and Extraction

In 2020, Jackie Chan's fight sequences and action choreography served as an inspiration for the DC Extended Universe film Birds of Prey and the Netflix film Extraction.

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2021: Inspiration for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

In 2021, Jackie Chan's fight sequences and action choreography served as an inspiration for Marvel Cinematic Universe film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

2022: Influence on Action Scenes in Uncharted

In 2022, Tom Holland cited Jackie Chan as an influence on several action scenes in Uncharted, noting Chan's use of his surroundings to fight people in unique ways.