If you have ever seen a Jackie Chan movie, you will remember it. That is because when it comes to action movies, Jackie is the man! He uses an acrobatic martial arts fighting style that he combines with use of chairs, lamps, weapons, and sometimes even his co-stars. Having starred almost 100 movies, Jackie is a familiar face all around the world.
Jackie was born in Hong Kong in 1954. His youth included rigorous training in music and dance, as well as martial arts. Jackie studied hapkido, tae kwondo, judo, and wing chung. But, after being offered a small acting role, Jackie decided to pursue a career in film. Early in his career, Jackie was in The Chinese Connection with another martial arts legend – Bruce Lee. However, after Bruce died, Jackie was lumped into the “Bruce wannabes” category with countless other actors looking to replace the legend.
After trying to live in Bruce’s shadow and failing, Jackie decided to create his own image. In all his movies, Jackie plays the “good guy” and his movies tend to be more family oriented than more traditional martial arts films. Also, as another break from Bruce Lee’s image, Jackie plays up the laughs in his movies. He is inspired by comic greats such as Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd.
Jackie is famous for doing all of his stunts himself. This has not come without a price however. In filming, Jackie has broken his nose (three times), his ankle, both shoulders, most of his fingers, and both his cheekbones. In addition to concussions, fractures, bruises, and cuts suffered, he has a steel plate in his skull. You can see outtakes of some of his failed stunts at the end of almost all his films.
Jackie’s first internationally successful film was The Drunken Master. After that, he enjoyed success in America with the films Rumble in the Bronx, Rush Hour 1 & 2, Shanghai Noon, and Shanghai Nights. The Rush Hour films with co-star Chris Tucker are so popular that Rush Hour 3 is in pre-production.
To try to pay back for some of his success, Jackie is heavily involved in charity work. He is a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and has organized shows with other Asian stars to benefit the Self-Help for the Elderly project. He is also the founder of the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation, which provides scholarships to Hong Kong’s youth.
My personal favorite Jackie Chan movies are Rush Hour 1 & 2. I think he and Chris Tucker are a hilarious combination and cannot wait until Rush Hour 3 comes out. What are your favorites?
Jackie Chan Fact: Did you know Jackie was in the popular Burt Reynold’s movie Cannonball Run?