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 Hong Kong martial artist, actor, and filmmaker. He's celebrated for his acrobatic fighting style, slapstick comedy, and innovative stunt work, which he famously performs himself. His film career spans over six decades, establishing him as an iconic and influential figure in martial arts cinema. Chan's films have collectively grossed over $6 billion globally, underscoring his widespread appeal and box-office success.

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 1980, Jackie Chan began experimenting with elaborate stunt action sequences in films such as The Young Master.

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1982: Dragon Lord featuring a 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. The final fight scene included various stunts.

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1983: Establishment of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team

In 1983, Jackie Chan established the Jackie Chan Stunt Team. Chan has used the team in all his subsequent films to make choreographing easier.

1983: Formation of Jackie Chan Stunt Team in 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.

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1985: Release of Police Story

In 1985, Police Story was released, containing 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, Chan suffered second-degree burns, a back injury, and dislocation of his pelvis.

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1988: Establishment of Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation

In 1988, Jackie Chan founded the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation to offer scholarships and aid to young people in Hong Kong and provide assistance to victims of natural disasters or illness.

1989: Chan performs 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: Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu released

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

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

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

2004: Campaigning for Conservation and Disaster Relief

In 2004, Jackie Chan campaigned for conservation and against animal abuse and promoted disaster relief efforts for floods in mainland China and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

2004: Launch of Clothing Line

In 2004, Jackie Chan launched his own line of clothing, which features a Chinese dragon logo and the word "Jackie" or the initials "JC".

2004: Jackie Chan stars in New Police Story

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

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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 essential resources.

June 2006: Pledge to Donate 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.

2006: Jackie Chan plays an antihero for the first time 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.

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March 2008: Launch of Jackie Chan Science Centre

On 10 March 2008, Jackie Chan was the guest of honour for the launch of the Jackie Chan Science Centre at the John Curtin School of Medical Research of the Australian National University.

2009: Chan plays 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.

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2009: Chan named "anti-drug ambassador" by Chinese government

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, the first Jackie Chan-Yaolai International Cinema opened, claimed to be the largest cinema complex in China, with 17 screens and 3,500 seats, with plans for further expansion.

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: Artistes 311 Love Beyond Borders Charity Concert

On April 1, 2011, Jackie Chan headlined the Artistes 311 Love Beyond Borders charity concert with other Hong Kong-based celebrities to aid Japan's disaster recovery effort for the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, raising 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.

2013: Appointment to the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference

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

March 2015: Meeting with David Cheng

In March 2015, Jackie Chan met with Asian Le Mans Series champion David Cheng and discussed his interest in motorsports, raising the possibility of starting a team.

2016: Formation of Jackie Chan DC Racing Team

In 2016, Jackie Chan partnered with David Cheng to form a racing team, Jackie Chan DC Racing, which competed in the Asian Le Mans Series and the FIA World Endurance Championship.

January 2017: Donation to Flood Victims in Thailand

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.

2023: End of term at the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference

In 2023, Jackie Chan completed his second term as a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, representing the "Literature and Arts" sector.