History of Jackie Chan in Timeline
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.
1980: Experimenting with Stunt Action Sequences
In 1980, Jackie Chan began experimenting with elaborate stunt action sequences in films such as The Young Master.
1982: Dragon Lord's Pyramid Fight Scene
In 1982, Dragon Lord featured a pyramid fight scene with a record-breaking 2900 takes for a single scene, and a final fight scene where he performs various stunts.
1983: Formation of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team
In 1983, Project A saw the official formation of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team. The movie 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.
1984: Release of Spartan X Arcade Game
In 1984, Jackie Chan's film Wheels on Meals (called Spartan X in Japan) inspired the hit beat 'em up arcade game Spartan X (released as Kung-Fu Master in Western markets).
1985: Release of Police Story and Stunt Injury
In 1985, Police Story was released, containing large-scale action scenes. During a stunt in the climactic shopping mall scene, Jackie Chan suffered second-degree burns, a back injury, and a dislocated pelvis.
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, the arcade game Spartan X inspired other games including Street Fighter.
1988: Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation founded
In 1988, Jackie Chan founded the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation to offer scholarships and aid to young people in Hong Kong, as well as provide assistance to victims of natural disasters or illness.
1989: Participation in 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: Featured in the 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, praising him as one of the best filmmakers and physical comedians.
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 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".
2004: Jackie Chan promotes disaster relief efforts
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 Jackie Chan's 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". He also operates branded businesses such as Jackie's Kitchen, Jackie Chan's Cafe, Jackie Chan Signature Club gyms (with California Fitness), and a line of chocolates, cookies and nutritional oatcakes. A percentage of the profits goes to various charities.
2004: Portrayal of a Character Suffering from Alcoholism
In 2004, Jackie Chan portrayed a character suffering from alcoholism and mourning his murdered colleagues in New Police Story.
2005: Participation in Hong Kong Disneyland Opening Ceremony
When Hong Kong Disneyland opened in 2005, Jackie Chan participated in the opening ceremony.
June 2006: Jackie Chan pledges to donate half of his assets to charity
In June 2006, Jackie Chan, inspired by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, pledged to donate half his assets to charity upon his death.
2006: Playing 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.
March 2008: Launch of the Jackie Chan Science Centre
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 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.
2009: Playing a Low-Level Gangster
In 2009, Jackie Chan played a low-level gangster in Shinjuku Incident, a serious drama set in Tokyo about unsavory characters.
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, Jackie Chan-Yaolai International Cinema, the first cinema in the Jackie Chan Theater International chain, opened in China. Claimed to be the largest cinema complex in China, it featured 17 screens and 3,500 seats. Chan hoped this venue would provide opportunities for young, non-commercial directors to screen their films.
2010: Chan serves as brand ambassador for Kaspersky Lab's antivirus software
In 2010, Jackie Chan served as brand ambassador for Kaspersky Lab's antivirus software in Asia.
April 2011: Jackie Chan headlines charity concert for Japan
On April 1, 2011, Jackie Chan, along with other Hong Kong celebrities, headlined a charity concert titled Artistes 311 Love Beyond Borders to aid Japan's disaster recovery after the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The concert raised over $3.3 million.
2011: Inspiration for The Raid: Redemption
In 2011, the Indonesian film The Raid: Redemption took inspiration from Jackie Chan's fight sequences and action choreography.
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.
June 2013: Response to a 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: 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: 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.
2014: Response to 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.
2014: Inspiration for Kingsman: The Secret Service
In 2014, the film Kingsman: The Secret Service took inspiration from Jackie Chan's fight sequences and action choreography.
2014: Opening of the 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.
March 2015: Jackie Chan partners with David Cheng to form a racing team
In March 2015, Jackie Chan met David Cheng and discussed forming a racing team due to Chan's interest in motorsports. This led to the creation of Baxi DC Racing Alpine.
2015: The 'Duang' Meme
In 2015, a made-up word inspired by 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.
2016: Jackie Chan's Racing Team Rebranded
In 2016, Jackie Chan's racing team, formerly known as Baxi DC Racing Alpine, was rebranded to Jackie Chan DC Racing and raced with liveries promoting his movie Kung Fu Yoga.
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'.
January 2017: Jackie Chan donates to Thailand flood victims
In January 2017, Jackie Chan donated $65,000 to help flood victims in Thailand.
2017: Jackie Chan DC Racing wins at 24 Hours of 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: Inspiration for Atomic Blonde
In 2017, the film Atomic Blonde took inspiration from Jackie Chan's fight sequences and action choreography.
2018: Inspiration for Black Panther
In 2018, the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Black Panther took inspiration from Jackie Chan's fight sequences and action choreography.
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.
2020: Wax Figure at Madame Tussauds New York
In 2020, a wax figure of Jackie Chan was revealed at Madame Tussauds New York.
2020: Inspiration for Birds of Prey and Extraction
In 2020, the DC Extended Universe film Birds of Prey and the Netflix film Extraction took inspiration from Jackie Chan's fight sequences and action choreography.
2021: Expressed Desire to Join the Chinese Communist Party
By 2021, Jackie Chan expressed his desire to join the Chinese Communist Party.
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.
2021: Inspiration for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
In 2021, the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings took inspiration from Jackie Chan's fight sequences and action choreography.
2022: Tom Holland Cited Jackie Chan as an Influence
In 2022, Tom Holland cited Jackie Chan as an influence on several action scenes in Uncharted, noting Chan's unique use of his surroundings to fight people.
2023: Jackie Chan's Term as a Member of the National Committee Ends
In 2023, Jackie Chan's term as a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, representing the "Literature and Arts" sector, ended.
2025: Honorary Black Belt by the World Karate Federation
In 2025, Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio were awarded an honorary black belt by the World Karate Federation during the film's New York premiere.
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