Jackie Chan

Guide Note:

Jackie Chan is an international martial arts film star and director famous for his innovative stunts, comic timing and use of improvised weapons. He was born in Hong Kong after his parents fled from the Chinese Civil War, but by the time Jackie was 6, his father moved to Australia to work as a chef for the American Embassy in Canberra. Chan was enrolled in the Peking Opera School, where he studied acting and martial arts.

After doing a number of roles in Hong Kong films as a child actor, Jackie began work as a stunt man, which led to credits in such films as Fist of Fury and Enter the Dragon starring Bruce Lee. His first lead came in the film Little Tiger of Canton.

After limited success in Hong Kong, Chan moved to Australia to be with his parents and study at Dickinson College. It was during this time that Chan received the nickname "Jackie" since his Chinese name (Chan Kong Sang) was too difficult for Australians to pronounce.

Eventually Chan went back to Hong Kong and become acting in films, in which he attempted to imitate the style of Bruce Lee. These films did not achieve much success at the box office, and Jackie decided to leave the production house he was working with in favor of another production company with which he started mixing his unique brand of action and comedy.

After releasing a number of hits in Asia, Jackie made his breakthrough into Hollywood with Rumble in the Bronx. The film was following a few years later by Rush Hour, which paired Chan with Chris Tucker. The film was a success and established Chan as one of the leading actors in Asia to have broken into the western market. Most recently, he appeared in The Forbidden Kingdom, which released in April 2008. He starred opposite Jet Li, and the film grossed an estimated $20.9 million in its opening weekend in the US.

Fast Facts

1. Born: April 7, 1954
2. Birth Name: Chan Kong Sang
3. Birthplace: Hong Kong
4. Notable Roles: Wong Fei-Hung, Drunken Master; Chan Ka Kui, Police Story; Chief Inspector Lee, Rush Hour
5. Rush Hour 3 released August 10, 2007
6. The Forbidden Kingdom co-starring Jet Li released April 2008