Childhood and Education Journey of Jackie Chan in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Jackie Chan. A timeline of key moments.

Jackie Chan, born Fang Shilong, is a highly influential Hong Kong martial artist, actor, and filmmaker. Renowned for his acrobatic fighting style, comedic timing, and self-performed innovative stunts, Chan has had a film career spanning over six decades. He is considered a cinema icon, with his films grossing over $6 billion globally.

Sections (6)

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

1988: Founding of the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation

In 1988, Jackie Chan founded the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation to provide scholarships and aid to young people in Hong Kong and support 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.

January 1999: Birth of Etta Ng Chok Lam and Affair Revelation

In January 1999, Elaine Ng Yi-Lei gave birth to Jackie Chan's daughter, Etta Ng Chok Lam. Shortly before Etta's birth in January 1999, Ng publicly revealed Chan as the father, which sparked a scandal.

2002: Elaine Ng moves to Shanghai

In 2002, Elaine Ng, Jackie Chan's extramarital partner, moved from Hong Kong to Shanghai with their daughter. This move in 2002 attracted media attention to their financial struggles, family conflicts, and mental health issues.

March 2004: Controversial Comment on Taiwanese 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".

2004: Campaigning for Disaster Relief Efforts

In 2004, Jackie Chan championed disaster relief efforts for floods in mainland China and the Indian Ocean tsunami.

2004: Launch of Clothing Line

In 2004, Jackie Chan launched his own line of clothing, featuring a Chinese dragon logo and the word "Jackie" or the initials "JC", and runs a sushi restaurant chain called Jackie's Kitchen and Jackie Chan's Cafe.

2005: Creation of the 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, providing education and essential supplies.

2005: Participation in Hong Kong Disneyland Opening

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

June 2006: Pledge to Donate Half His Assets to Charity

In June 2006, Jackie Chan pledged to donate half of his assets to charity upon his death, inspired by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates.

March 2008: Guest of Honour at Jackie Chan Science Centre Launch

In 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.

June 2008: Protests at Taipei Airport

In June 2008, police and security personnel separated Jackie Chan from scores of protesters shouting "Jackie Chan, get out" when he arrived at Taipei airport.

2008: Participation in 2008 Summer Olympics Torch Relay

In 2008, Jackie Chan spoke out against demonstrators who disrupted the torch relay for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, warning that "publicity seekers" planning to stop him from carrying the Olympic Torch "not get anywhere near" him.

April 2009: Questioning Broad Freedom

In April 2009, Jackie Chan questioned whether broad freedom is a good thing during a panel discussion at the Boao Forum for Asia, expressing the sentiment that Chinese people need to be controlled, which sparked controversy.

2009: Named an "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, the first Jackie Chan-Yaolai International Cinema opened as the largest cinema complex in China, with 17 screens and 3,500 seats.

2010: Origin of the Jackie Chan Curse

In 2010, ABC News reported that the Jackie Chan curse originated due to defective products sold in China bearing his endorsement.

2010: Brand Ambassador for Kaspersky Lab

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

April 2011: Headlining Charity Concert for Japan Disaster Relief

On April 1, 2011, Jackie Chan headlined a charity concert, Artistes 311 Love Beyond Borders, to aid Japan's disaster recovery effort, 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.

December 2012: Criticism of Hong Kong and the United States

In December 2012, Jackie Chan criticized Hong Kong as a "city of protest" and suggested limiting demonstrators' rights. That same month, he stated that the United States was the "most corrupt" country, which angered many people.

June 2013: Response to Death Hoax

On 25 June 2013, Jackie Chan responded to a hoax Facebook page created a few days earlier that alleged he had died, commenting: "If I died, I would probably tell the world!"

November 2013: Statue Unveiled in front of JC Film Gallery

In November 2013, a statue of Jackie Chan was unveiled in front of what is now known as the JC Film Gallery.

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

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

2013: Delegate to the National Committee

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: Son's Arrest for Cannabis Use

In 2014, when Jackie Chan's own son Jaycee was arrested for cannabis use, he said that he was "angry", "shocked", "heartbroken" and "ashamed" of his son.

2014: Opening of the JC Film Gallery

In the spring of 2014, the JC Film Gallery opened.

March 2015: Meeting with David Cheng and Interest in Motorsports

In March 2015, Jackie Chan met David Cheng, expressing his interest in motorsports and raising the possibility of starting a racing team together.

April 2016: Named in the Panama Papers

In April 2016, Jackie Chan was named in the Panama Papers for having up to six different offshore accounts, likely for tax shelters, though he was not accused of illegal activity.

2016: Formation of Baxi DC Racing Alpine

In 2016, Jackie Chan partnered with David Cheng to form Baxi DC Racing Alpine, the first mainland China-based operation in WEC (World Endurance Championship).

2016: California Fitness Failure Blamed on the Jackie Chan Curse

In 2016, the failure of the fitness chain California Fitness was attributed to the "Jackie Chan curse", an urban legend.

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 its class 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: Chan's Response to Daughter's Coming Out

In 2017, Jackie Chan refused to provide any assistance to his daughter, Etta Ng Chok Lam, according to her lawyer. Also in 2017, when asked about her coming out as lesbian, he replied: "As long as she's happy."

2019: Criticism of Hong Kong Anti-Extradition Bill Protests

In 2019, Jackie Chan criticized Hong Kong anti-extradition bill protests and voiced his support for the National People's Congress decision on Hong Kong national security legislation.

2020: Wax Figure at Madame Tussauds New York

In 2020, a wax figure of Jackie Chan was revealed at Madame Tussauds New York.

2021: Expressed desire to join the Chinese Communist Party

By 2021, in contrast to his prior democratic stance, Jackie Chan expressed his desire to join the Chinese Communist Party.

2021: Evergrande Group Losses Follow Chan's Promotion

In 2021, Evergrande Group suffered major losses after Jackie Chan promoted Evergrande Spring brand bottled water, further invoking the "Jackie Chan curse".

2023: End of term as Member of the National Committee

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 since 2013.