Biography
If you don't know this man, then you've obviously been hiding under a rock for the past (30) years. A dazzling, acrobatic, fluid and superbly conditioned athlete with amazing body control (along with the ability to make everything look easy). He's accused of using too much Comedy in his films, but for the last 25+ years he's been the # 1 box-office star in Asia. At one time, of the "Top 10" movies shown in Asia, he had (9) of the (10) with the - #1 film being E.T. - the Extra-terrestrial.
Studying Peking Opera as a child, his bond with childhood friends also studying at the same school, would prove to be a valuable asset to his future. Of these friends Samo Hung would prove the most loyal. It was Samo (Big Brother) who landed jobs as a stuntman and helped to bring his buddies into the industry. Once Jackie started showing his bravery as a stuntman, he began getting more jobs. He got the chance to double for the Japanese actor Bruce Lee's kicked out of the window in The Chinese Connection. After this stunt he would gain a number of roles as extras.
It wasn't uncommon for stuntmen to move on to starring roles and when no one would give him a chance to do anything other than stunts, director Lo Wei saw the potential many couldn't see. After a number of failed attempts to make him a star, director Lo loaned him to another director to make a film. The director - Ng See-Yuen, the film - Snake In The Eagle's Shadow. This film was the turning point in Chan's life and made him a star and the new King of Kung- Fu. His films broke all records set by Lee, and though no one forgot about Lee, they began to acknowledge Chan.
Studying Peking Opera as a child, his bond with childhood friends also studying at the same school, would prove to be a valuable asset to his future. Of these friends Samo Hung would prove the most loyal. It was Samo (Big Brother) who landed jobs as a stuntman and helped to bring his buddies into the industry. Once Jackie started showing his bravery as a stuntman, he began getting more jobs. He got the chance to double for the Japanese actor Bruce Lee's kicked out of the window in The Chinese Connection. After this stunt he would gain a number of roles as extras.
It wasn't uncommon for stuntmen to move on to starring roles and when no one would give him a chance to do anything other than stunts, director Lo Wei saw the potential many couldn't see. After a number of failed attempts to make him a star, director Lo loaned him to another director to make a film. The director - Ng See-Yuen, the film - Snake In The Eagle's Shadow. This film was the turning point in Chan's life and made him a star and the new King of Kung- Fu. His films broke all records set by Lee, and though no one forgot about Lee, they began to acknowledge Chan.
With the release of Drunken Master, he was became a Superstar and the most sought after star in Asia. The thing that set him (and Lee) apart from many actors was his work ethic, as he (literally) tortured himself to be the best. As with his earlier training as a child, he continuously honed various routines, forms, and weaponry skills to make it to the top. He loved the newfound fame and remembering his lean years, he became driven to stay on top. During this time Raymond Chow (the owner of Golden Harvest studios) began to court Chan with offers, to join his company.
All of a sudden Lo Wei wanted him back (as he had a contract with him) and took him to court to stop him from doing what Jimmy Wang-Yu had done years before, by ignoring his contract with Shaw Bros' to make movies for rival film company Golden Harvest. In the end, Chow bought out his contract and gave him the freedom to make films his way. He even sweetened the deal by giving him Lee's old office at the studio. As a director, he began to break barriers (and bones) during his quest to make some out the most inventive films to come out of Asia.
Blockbusters like Young Master, Project A, Dragon Lord and others have kept his in the spotlight for over 25 years. He would be instrumental in helping others gain more work (and insight within the business) and popularity in the film world. Almost all of his childhood friends would go on to bigger and better things. Yuen Biao, Cory Yuen, Yuen Wah, and Yuen Te all have enjoyed success in films and even till this day. After years of trying to crossover to American audiences, he finally succeeded with the film Rumble In The Bronx and later with Rush Hour. After years of toiling as an extra and a stuntman, the man who was almost sold as an infant -- is sitting on top of the (Martial Arts) world.