History of Jackie Chan in Timeline
Jackie Chan, born Fang Shilong, is a highly influential Hong Kong actor, filmmaker, martial artist, and stuntman. Renowned for his acrobatic fighting style, slapstick comedy, and daring stunts performed without doubles, he gained international recognition for his unique on-screen persona. Chan's career started at the Peking Opera School, where he honed his martial arts and acting skills as one of the Seven Little Fortunes. With a filmography spanning over 150 movies across six decades, he is considered a cinematic icon and one of the most important martial artists in film history.
1980: Experimentation with elaborate stunt action sequences
In the early 1980s, specifically in 1980, Jackie Chan began experimenting with elaborate stunt action sequences in films such as The Young Master.
1982: Dragon Lord film release
In 1982, Jackie Chan continued experimenting with elaborate stunt action sequences in films such as Dragon Lord, which featured a pyramid fight scene holding the record for the most takes required for a single scene, with 2900 takes. Dragon Lord also featured 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, the Jackie Chan Stunt Team was established. Jackie Chan has used them in all his subsequent films to make choreographing easier, given his understanding of each member's abilities. Chan and his team undertake many of the stunts performed by other characters in his films, shooting the scenes so that their faces are obscured.
1983: Official formation of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team and release of Project A
In 1983, the Jackie Chan Stunt Team was officially formed, and Project A was released. Project A 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.
1984: Inspiration for Spartan X arcade game
In 1984, Jackie Chan's film Wheels on Meals (called Spartan X in Japan) spawned the hit beat 'em up arcade game Spartan X (released as Kung-Fu Master in Western markets).
1985: Release of Police Story
In 1985, Police Story was released, containing many large-scale action scenes, including an opening sequence featuring 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 upon landing.
1985: Inspiration for Super Mario Bros.
In 1985, Spartan X laid the foundations for the beat 'em up genre, and inspired other games including Super Mario Bros.
1987: Inspiration for Street Fighter
In 1987, Spartan X laid the foundations for the beat 'em up genre, and inspired other games including Street Fighter.
1988: Founding of Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation
In 1988, Jackie Chan founded the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation to offer scholarships and aid to Hong Kong's young people, as well as provide assistance to victims of natural disasters or illnesses.
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.
1989: Awarded the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
In 1989, Jackie Chan was awarded the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
1990: Release of Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu
In 1990, Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu was released for the PC-Engine and Nintendo Entertainment System.
1995: Appearance in Jackie Chan The Kung-Fu Master arcade game
In 1995, Jackie Chan was featured in the arcade game Jackie Chan The Kung-Fu Master.
1995: Lifetime Achievement Award at the MTV Movie Awards
In 1995, Quentin Tarantino presented Jackie Chan with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the MTV Movie Awards, describing him as "one of the best filmmakers the world has ever known."
1999: Awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star (SBS)
In 1999, Jackie Chan was awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star (SBS).
2001: Induction into the Martial Arts History Museum Hall of Fame
In 2001, Jackie Chan was inducted into the Martial Arts History Museum Hall of Fame.
March 2004: Comments on 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".
2004: New Police Story
In 2004, Jackie Chan acted in the movie New Police Story, portraying a character suffering from alcoholism and mourning his murdered colleagues.
2004: Launch of Clothing Line
In 2004, Jackie Chan launched his own line of clothing, which features a Chinese dragon logo and the English word "Jackie", or the initials "JC". He also owns other branded businesses, with a percentage of the profits going to various charities, including the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation.
2004: UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and Charitable Work
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.
2005: Participation in Hong Kong Disneyland opening ceremony
In 2005, when Hong Kong Disneyland opened, Jackie Chan participated in the opening ceremony. He is also a spokesperson for the Government of Hong Kong.
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 for the philanthropic efforts of Warren Buffett and Bill Gates.
2006: Role in Rob-B-Hood
In 2006, Jackie Chan starred in Rob-B-Hood as Thongs, a burglar with gambling problems, marking his first time playing an antihero.
March 2008: Guest of Honour at Jackie Chan Science Centre Launch
On 10 March 2008, Jackie Chan was the guest of honour at the launch of the Jackie Chan Science Centre at the John Curtin School of Medical Research of the Australian National University by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
June 2008: Protests at Taipei airport
In June 2008, Jackie Chan faced protests at Taipei airport following his comments on the Taiwanese presidential election in 2004.
2008: Participation in 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay
In 2008, Jackie Chan participated in the torch relay for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and spoke out against demonstrators who disrupted the relay.
April 2009: Comments on freedom at Boao Forum
On 18 April 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."
2009: Role in Shinjuku Incident
In 2009, Jackie Chan played a low-level gangster in Shinjuku Incident, a serious drama set in Tokyo.
2009: Named an "anti-drug ambassador" by the Chinese government
In 2009, Jackie Chan was named an "anti-drug ambassador" by the Chinese government, actively taking part in anti-drug campaigns and supporting President Hu Jintao's declaration that illegal drugs should be eradicated.
February 2010: Opening of Jackie Chan-Yaolai International Cinema
In February 2010, the first Jackie Chan-Yaolai International Cinema opened in China. Co-run by Hong Kong company Sparkle Roll Group Ltd, it was claimed to be the largest cinema complex in China with 17 screens and 3,500 seats. Chan hoped the venue's size would allow young, non-commercial directors to screen their films. Fifteen further cinemas were planned for 2010.
2010: Origin of the Jackie Chan Curse Urban Legend
In 2010, ABC News reported on the origin of the urban legend known as the Jackie Chan curse, which suggests that products endorsed by Jackie Chan are prone to being defective.
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: Headlining Charity Concert for Japan Disaster Relief
In April 2011, Jackie Chan and other Hong Kong-based celebrities headlined a three-hour charity concert, titled Artistes 311 Love Beyond Borders, to help with Japan's disaster recovery effort following the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The concert raised over $3.3 million.
2011: Inspiration for The Raid: Redemption
In 2011, The Raid: Redemption from Indonesian cinema, was one of numerous films from around the world that have taken inspiration from Jackie Chan's fight sequences and action choreography.
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 to continue its charitable work.
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 that demonstrators' rights should be limited. He also stated that the United States was the "most corrupt" country in the world.
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. He said that several people contacted him to congratulate him on his recent engagement, and soon thereafter contacted him again to ask if he was still alive. He posted a Facebook message, commenting: "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: Begining terms as a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
From 2013 Jackie Chan served as a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, representing the "Literature and Arts" sector.
2013: Serving as a 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: Son's arrest for cannabis use
In 2014, Jackie Chan's son Jaycee was arrested for cannabis use, leading Chan to express his anger, shock, heartbreak, and shame. He remarked, "I hope all young people will learn a lesson from Jaycee and stay far from the harm of drugs."
2014: Inspiration for Kingsman: The Secret Service
In 2014, Kingsman: The Secret Service was one of numerous films from around the world that have taken inspiration from Jackie Chan's fight sequences and action choreography.
2014: Opening of JC Film Gallery
In the spring of 2014, the JC Film Gallery opened.
February 2015: Awarded Knight Commander of the Order of the Territorial Crown
On 1 February 2015, Jackie Chan was awarded the honour of Knight Commander of the Order of the Territorial Crown by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia Tuanku Abdul Halim in conjunction with the country's Federal Territory Day. It carries the title of Datuk in Malaysia.
March 2015: Meeting with David Cheng and Discussion of Motorsports Team
In March 2015, Jackie Chan met with Asian Le Mans Series champion David Cheng. During their meeting, Chan expressed his interest in motorsports and they discussed the possibility of starting a racing team together.
2015: Duang becomes 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 for having up to six different offshore accounts, likely for tax shelters.
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 suggesting products endorsed by Jackie Chan are prone to being defective.
January 2017: Donation to Thailand Flood Victims
In January 2017, Jackie Chan donated $65,000 to help flood victims in Thailand.
2017: Inspiration for Atomic Blonde
In 2017, Atomic Blonde was one of numerous films from around the world that have taken inspiration from Jackie Chan's fight sequences and action choreography.
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.
2018: Inspiration for Black Panther
In 2018, Black Panther from the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, was one of numerous films that have taken inspiration from Jackie Chan's fight sequences and action choreography.
2019: Criticism of Hong Kong Anti-Extradition Bill Protests
In 2019, Jackie Chan publicly criticized the Hong Kong anti-extradition bill protests. He voiced his support for the National People's Congress decision on Hong Kong national security legislation and stated that the "'Five-starred Red Flag' is respected everywhere around the world."
2020: Inspiration for Birds of Prey and Extraction
In 2020, Birds of Prey from the DC Extended Universe film and the Netflix film Extraction, were two of numerous films that have taken inspiration from Jackie Chan's fight sequences and action choreography.
2020: Wax figure revealed 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 contrast to his pro-democratic stance in the late 1980s.
2021: Inspiration for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
In 2021, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings from the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, was one of numerous films that have taken inspiration from Jackie Chan's fight sequences and action choreography.
2021: Evergrande Group Losses Following Chan's Endorsement
In 2021, the Jackie Chan curse was again invoked when Evergrande Group suffered major losses following Chan's promotion of Evergrande Spring brand bottled water.
2022: Influence on Uncharted action scenes
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.
2023: Ending terms as a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
Jackie Chan ended his time as a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in 2023.
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