Jackie Chan

JACKIE CHAN is an actor, action choreographer, filmmaker, comedian, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. Originally from Hong Kong, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons and innovative stunts. Jackie Chan has been acting since the 1970s and has appeared in over 100 films.

In 1960, his father immigrated to Australia, to work as head cook for the American embassy, and Chan was sent to the China Drama Academy, a Peking Opera School. There, Chan trained rigorously for the next decade, excelling in martial arts and acrobatics.

Upon his graduation in 1971, Chan found work as an acrobat and a movie stuntman, most notably in Fist of Fury, starring Hong Kong's resident big-screen superstar, Bruce Lee. For that film, he reportedly completed the highest fall in the history of the Chinese film industry, earning the respectful notice of the formidable Lee, among others. After Lee‘s tragic death, Chan had decided that he wanted to break out of the Lee mold and create his own image.

Blending his martial arts abilities with an impressive nerve—he insisted on performing all of his own stunts—and a sense of screwball physical comedy reminiscent of one of his idols, Buster Keaton, Chan found his own formula for cinematic gold.

Chan's first major breakthrough was the 1978 film Snake in the Eagle's Shadow. Under director Yuen Woo Ping, Chan was allowed complete freedom over his stunt work. The film established the comedic kung fu genre, and proved to be a breath of fresh air for the Hong Kong audience.

Chan then starred in Drunken Master, which finally propelled him to mainstream success. In 1983, he established the Jackie Chan Stuntmen Association, which began as an official organization of six members, and meant that its stuntmen not only received insurance coverage, but also a monthly salary and higher pay.

His noteworthy list of film credits includes Supercop, Supercop 2 with Michelle Yeoh; Rumble in the Bronx, Thunderbolt, Mr. Nice Guy, three Rush Hour movies, co-starring Chris Tucker; Shanghai Noon and Shanghai Knights with Owen Wilson; The Tuxedo, co-starring Jennifer Love Hewitt; The Medallion, with Claire Forlani, Julian Sands and John Rhys-Davies; Around the World in 80 Days, in which he portrayed Passepartout/Lau Xing; Kung Fu Panda (voice of Monkey) and The Spy Next Door co-starring Amber Valetta, Billy Ray Cyrus and Georg Lopez. He also voiced himself in the animated series ―Jackie Chan Adventures.

Chan has received stars on the Hong Kong Avenue of Stars and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. As a cultural icon, Chan has been referenced in various pop songs, cartoons and video games.
Chan is also a Cantopop and Mandopop star, having released a number of albums and sung many of the theme songs for the films in which he has starred.

© 2010 Columbia Pictures