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. He is celebrated for his unique action style that blends slapstick comedy, acrobatics, and innovative stunts, most of which he performs himself. His career has spanned over six decades, solidifying his status as a cinema icon and one of the most recognizable martial artists. His films have collectively grossed over $5.8 billion globally.

Sections (6)

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

1937: Chan's father worked as a secret agent

Circa 1937, Jackie Chan's father, Fang Daolong, worked as a secret agent for Lieutenant General Dai Li in Kuomintang-ruled China.

April 1954: Birth of Chan Kong-sang

On April 7, 1954, Chan Kong-sang was born in British Hong Kong.

1960: Emigration of Chan's father and enrollment in China Drama Academy

In 1960, Jackie Chan's father emigrated to Canberra, Australia, and Jackie was sent to the China Drama Academy.

1971: Joining parents in Canberra, Australia

In 1971, Jackie Chan joined his parents in Canberra, Australia, where he briefly attended Dickson College and worked as a construction worker.

1983: Formation of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team

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. In one stunt, Chan falls from the top of a clock tower through a series of fabric canopies. Critics compared his comedic stunts to Buster Keaton.

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1988: Foundation of the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation

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

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.

March 2004: Comments on Taiwanese Presidential Election

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

2004: Acting with more emotion in films

In 2004, Jackie Chan grew tired of being typecast as an action hero, prompting him to act with more emotion in his films. In 'New Police Story', he portrayed a character suffering from alcoholism and mourning his murdered colleagues.

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2005: Creation of the Dragon's Heart Foundation

In 2005, Jackie Chan created the Dragon's Heart Foundation to assist children and the elderly in remote areas of China by building schools and providing resources; the organization expanded to Europe in 2011.

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, citing Warren Buffett and Bill Gates as inspirations.

2006: Played an antihero for the first time

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

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June 2008: Protests at Taipei Airport

In June 2008, Jackie Chan faced protests at Taipei airport due to his earlier comments on the Taiwanese presidential election, with protesters shouting "Jackie Chan, get out".

2008: Comments on Summer Olympics Demonstrations

During the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Jackie Chan spoke out against demonstrators who disrupted the torch relay, warning "publicity seekers" not to get near him and arguing that the Olympics coverage would "provide another way for us to tell the world about Chinese culture."

April 2009: Comments on Freedom and Control

On April 18, 2009, during a panel discussion at the annual Boao Forum for Asia, Jackie Chan questioned whether broad freedom is a good thing, stating, "I'm gradually beginning to feel that we Chinese need to be controlled," sparking controversy.

2009: Serious drama set in Tokyo

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

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2009: Named "anti-drug ambassador"

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

April 2011: Headlining charity concert for Japan

On April 1, 2011, Jackie Chan and other Hong Kong celebrities headlined a charity concert, titled Artistes 311 Love Beyond Borders, which raised over $3.3 million for Japan's disaster recovery efforts after the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

December 2012: Criticism of Hong Kong as a 'City of Protest'

In December 2012, Jackie Chan criticized Hong Kong as a "city of protest", suggesting demonstrators' rights should be limited. He also stated that the United States was the "most corrupt" country in the world, which angered parts of the online community.

June 2013: Response to Death Hoax

On June 25, 2013, Jackie Chan responded to a hoax Facebook page that alleged he had died. He confirmed he was alive, posting a Facebook message saying, "If I died, I would probably tell the world!".

November 2013: Unveiling of Jackie Chan's Statue

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

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

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

2014: Son's Arrest for Cannabis Use

In 2014, Jackie Chan's son Jaycee was arrested for cannabis use, leading Chan to express anger, shock, heartbreak, and shame, and to remark that his son must accept the consequences.

2014: Opening of JC Film Gallery

In the Spring of 2014, the JC Film Gallery opened in front of which a statue of Jackie Chan had been unveiled.

2015: Duang becomes an Internet Viral Meme

In 2015, a made-up word inspired by Jackie Chan's description of his hair during an interview for a commercial, 'duang', became an internet viral meme particularly in China.

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, likely for tax shelters.

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" and supporting 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, Jackie Chan expressed his desire to join the Chinese Communist Party, a shift from his pro-democratic stance in the late 1980s.

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

In 2023, Jackie Chan ended two terms as a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, representing the "Literature and Arts" sector.