History of Jackie Chan in Timeline
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.
1980: Experimentation with Elaborate Stunt Action Sequences
In the early 1980s, Jackie Chan began experimenting with elaborate stunt action sequences in films such as The Young Master (1980).
1982: Dragon Lord's Pyramid Fight Scene
In 1982, Dragon Lord featured a pyramid fight scene that holds the record for the most takes required for a single scene, with 2900 takes. The final fight scene featured various stunts, including a backflip off a loft.
1983: Establishment of the 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.
1983: Official Formation of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team with Project A
In 1983, with Project A, the Jackie Chan Stunt Team was officially formed. 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: Spartan X Game Release
In 1984, Jackie Chan's film Wheels on Meals 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 car chase, Chan stopping a double-decker bus, and a climactic fight in a shopping mall. During a stunt, Chan suffered second-degree burns, a back injury, and dislocation of his 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, Spartan X laid the foundations for the beat 'em up genre, and inspired other games including Street Fighter.
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.
1989: Awarded 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: Feature in Jackie Chan The Kung-Fu Master
In 1995, Jackie Chan was featured in the arcade game Jackie Chan The Kung-Fu Master.
1995: 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."
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.
1999: Awarded 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.
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.
2004: Release of New Police Story
In 2004, Jackie Chan starred in New Police Story, where he portrayed a character suffering from alcoholism and mourning his murdered colleagues, to act with more emotion in his films.
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.
2006: Starring in Rob-B-Hood
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: 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: Starring in Shinjuku Incident
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, the first Jackie Chan-Yaolai International Cinema opened as the largest cinema complex in China, with 17 screens and 3,500 seats.
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.
2011: Inspiration for The Raid: Redemption
In 2011, the film The Raid: Redemption from Indonesian cinema, 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 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: 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: 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.
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: 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.
2015: "Duang" 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, 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."
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, Marvel Cinematic Universe films such as 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 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.
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, 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".
2021: Inspiration for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
In 2021, Marvel Cinematic Universe films such as Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings took inspiration from Jackie Chan's fight sequences and action choreography.
2022: Tom Holland on Chan as influence
In 2022, Tom Holland cited Jackie Chan as an influence on several action scenes in Uncharted (2022), noting Chan's use of his surroundings to fight people in unique ways.
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.
2025: Honorary Black Belt by the World Karate Federation
In 2025, Jackie Chan was awarded an honorary black belt by the World Karate Federation, along with his Karate Kid: Legends co-star Ralph Macchio during the film's New York premiere.
January 2026: ADHD Revelation
In January 2026, Jackie Chan revealed that he has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
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