Major Controversies Surrounding Jackie Chan: A Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Jackie Chan.

Jackie Chan is a Hong Kong actor and filmmaker renowned for his acrobatic fighting style, slapstick comedy, and innovative stunt work. His career spans over six decades, during which he has become an iconic and influential martial artist in cinema history. Chan is known for performing his own stunts and his films have grossed over $2.7 billion globally.

Sections (6)

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

March 2004: Comments on the Taiwanese Presidential Election

During a news conference in Shanghai on 28 March 2004, Jackie Chan referred to the recently concluded 2004 Taiwanese presidential election as "the biggest joke in the world".

June 2008: Protests at Taipei Airport

In June 2008, Jackie Chan faced protests at Taipei airport due to his comments on Taiwanese politics.

2008: Comments on the 2008 Summer Olympics

In 2008, Jackie Chan spoke out against demonstrators who disrupted the torch relay for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, arguing that the Olympics coverage would "provide another way for us to tell the world about Chinese culture."

April 2009: Comments on Freedom

On 18 April 2009, during a panel discussion at the annual Boao Forum for Asia, Jackie Chan questioned whether or not broad freedom is a good thing for the Chinese.

2010: Origin of the Jackie Chan curse urban legend

In 2010, ABC News reported that the urban legend called the Jackie Chan curse originated because a slew of products sold in China bearing his name have proven defective.

December 2012: Criticism of Hong Kong and the United States

In December 2012, Jackie Chan criticized Hong Kong as a "city of protest" and stated that the United States was the "most corrupt" country in the world, sparking controversy.

April 2016: Named in the Panama Papers

In April 2016, Jackie Chan was named in the Panama Papers, listed as having up to six different offshore accounts.

2016: Failure of California Fitness blamed on the 'Jackie Chan curse'

In 2016, the failure of fitness chain California Fitness was blamed on the urban legend called the 'Jackie Chan curse'.

2019: Criticism of Hong Kong Anti-Extradition Bill Protests

In 2019, Jackie Chan criticized Hong Kong anti-extradition bill protests, saying that the "'Five-starred Red Flag' is respected everywhere around the world." He also supported the National People's Congress decision on Hong Kong national security legislation.

2021: Evergrande Group suffers losses following Chan's promotion

In 2021, Evergrande Group suffered major losses following Jackie Chan's promotion of Evergrande Spring brand bottled water, invoking the Jackie Chan curse.