Martial Artist Profile: Jackie Chan

Jackie Chan was born on April 7, 1954, in Victoria Peak, in the former Crown colony of Hong Kong, as Chan Kong-sang (meaning "born in Hong Kong"). At the age of 7, he began studying at the Chinese Drama Academy under the famous Chinese Opera Master, Yu Jim-Yuen.

There, the students learned Kung Fu, stunts, flips, somersaults and basic Chinese theatre acting techniques. At the age of 17, Jackie left the Drama Academy and began working stunts on films with the Shaw Brothers Film Company and eventually began working for the Golden Harvest film company as a stuntman, which led to his working with Bruce Lee in the movies “Fist of Fury” and “Enter the Dragon”. This was just the beginning of a long and dangerous film career that would see Jackie eventually gain huge success in both Hong Kong and eventually, the US, where he is now most famous. To date, Jackie Chan has performed or appeared in over 100 films and has also done many television appearances and specials.

Although he is known as a movie actor, stuntman and martial artist, this talented phenom has worn many different hats throughout his career. He has also been a filmmaker, producer, screenwriter, director, comedian, singer and entrepreneur. Chan is also a Cantopop and Mandopop star, and has over the years released a number of albums and sung many of the theme songs for the films in which he has starred.

Jackie Chan performs all of his own stunts in his movies, and has suffered numerous injuries over the years as a result of it. His injuries have included: a fractured skull,

dislocated pelvis, broken fingers, broken toes, and he has also broken his nose, both cheekbones, hips, sternum, neck, ankle and his ribs. None of these injuries, however, have stopped this life long stuntman from showing up on each movie set and giving his best effort. On a side note, Chan also holds the Guinness World Record for "Most Stunts By A Living Actor". His outtakes of scenes at the end of his movies have been a much enjoyed staple and trademark of his. In a few of them, you actually see him get injured.

What does the future hold for Jackie Chan? Well, he does intend to make more movies and continue with his stunt work for as long as his body allows, although he will admit to relying on wires and special effects to do some of his stunts these days. However, his talent and workmanship on all of his films remains unparalleled. Hopefully we can look forward to many more years of mind blowing stunts and fight scenes from this incredibly multitalented actor and life long martial artist.

Want to know even more about Jackie Chan? Then, check out his website and his own personal blog! Up to date news on all things Jackie Chan from the man, himself! http://jackiechan.com/

Jackie Chan's Filmography

2000 - present
2011 Kung Fu Panda 2	2011 Shaolin	2010 Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special	2010 The Karate Kid
2010 Little Big Soldier	2010 The Spy Next Door	2010 The Legend of Silk Boy	2009 The Founding of a Republic
2009 Shinjuku Incident	2008 Kung Fu Panda	2008 The Forbidden Kingdom	2007 Rush Hour 3
2006 Robin-B-Hood	2005 The Myth	2004 New Police Story	2004 The Huadu Chronicles: Blade of the Rose
2004 Around the World in 80 Days	2004 Da lao ai mei li	2003 The Medallion	2003 Chin gei bin
2003 Shanghai Knights 2000 Shanghai Noon	2002 The Tuxedo	2001 Rush Hour 2	2001 The Accidental Spy
1990-99
1999 Dak ging san yan lui	1999 King of Comedy	1999 Gorgeous	1998 Rush Hour
1998 Wo shi shei	1997 Mr. Nice Guy	1996 Jackie Chan's First Strike	1995 Thunderbolt
1995 Rumble in the Bronx	1994 The Legend of Drunken Master	1993 Supercop 2	1993 Zhong an zu
1993 Sing si lip yan	1992 Supercop	1992 Shuang long hui	1992 Xi Zang xiao zi
1991 Operation Condor	1990 Island of Fire
1980-89
1989 Ji ji	1988 Police Story 2	1988 Dragons Forever	1987 Jackie Chan's Project A2
1987 Long xiong hu di	1986 Nui ji za pai jun	1985 Police Story 1985 Long de xin
1985 Xia ri fu xing	1985 The Protector	1985 Fuk sing go jiu	1984 Kuai can che
1984 Cannonball Run II	1984 Shen yong shuang xiang pao	1983 Jackie Chan's Project A	1983 Qi mou miao ji: Wu fu xing
1983 Long teng hu yue	1982 Dragon Strike	1982 Mi ni te gong dui	1981 Cannonball Run
1980 The Big Brawl	1980 Dian zhi gong fu gan chian chan	1980 Shi di chu ma
1970-79
1979 Long quan	1979 Xiao quan guai zhao	1978 Drunken Master	1978 Fei du juan yun shan
1978 She hao ba bu	1978 Spiritual Kung Fu	1978 Se ying diu sau	1977 Jian hua yan yu Jiang Nan
1977 San shi liu mi xing quan	1976 Shao Lin mu ren xiang	1976 Feng yu shuang liu xing	1976 Shao Lin men
1976 Xin jing wu men	1976 The Himalayan	1975 Pai an jing ji	1975 Hua fei man cheng chun
1974 The Golden Lotus	1974 E hu cun	1973 Crash! Che botte strippo strappo stroppio	1973 Fists of the Double K
1973 Xiao lao hu	1973 Enter the Dragon	1973 Village on Fire	1973 Nu jing cha 1973 Tie wa
1973 Bei di yan zhi	1973 Chinese Hercules	1973 Bruce Lee and I	1973 Return to China
1973 Ambush	1972 Blood Fingers	1972 He qi dao	1972 Fist of Fury
1971 Gui nu chuan	1971 The Blade Spares None	1971 Guang dong xiao lao hu	1970 Lady of Steel
1962-69
1969 A Touch of Zen 1962 Big and Little Wong Tin Bar	1966 Come Drink with Me	1964 Qin Xiang Lian	1963 The Love Eterne