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I Am Jackie Chan: My Life in Action
As one of the biggest stars to burst into U.S. theaters, Jackie Chan has wowed audiences with death-defying stunts. But who really is this lightning-fast Charlie Chaplin of martial arts moviemaking? Now, in I Am Jackie Chan, he tells the fascinating, harrowing, ultimately triumphant story of his life: How the rebellious son of refugees in tumultuous 1950s Hong Kong became the disciplined disciple of a Chinese Opera Master. How the dying art of Chinese opera led Jackie to the movie business. And how he broke into Hollywood big time by breaking almost every bone in his body.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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August 20, 2025
How to Kick Life in the Face and Smile While Doing It
A gravity-defying blend of kung fu, slapstick comedy and heartfelt drama—with a dash of broken bones and broken English!!
Jackie Chan tells his story by somersaulting through it! From his grueling childhood at the China Drama Academy to his rise as a global action icon, his life reads like a stunt reel!
I liked his Hollywood breakthrough, where he taught America that action heroes don’t need to be brooding, they can be bruised and still be hilarious
XD
I love how humble, self-deprecating and optimistic he is. I have kind of watched all of his movies and have gathered a huge respect for him since then:)
A gravity-defying blend of kung fu, slapstick comedy and heartfelt drama—with a dash of broken bones and broken English!!
Jackie Chan tells his story by somersaulting through it! From his grueling childhood at the China Drama Academy to his rise as a global action icon, his life reads like a stunt reel!
I liked his Hollywood breakthrough, where he taught America that action heroes don’t need to be brooding, they can be bruised and still be hilarious
XD
I love how humble, self-deprecating and optimistic he is. I have kind of watched all of his movies and have gathered a huge respect for him since then:)
June 13, 2009
This is vastly superior to the typical celebrity biography. The last third of the book, about Jackie Chan's rise to success, is interesting. The best part of this book, however, covers his years of struggle. And, wow, did he struggle.
Jackie Chan was the son of poor, refugee parents in Hong Kong, who fostered him to a Chinese Opera school, a place like a Dickensian orphanage, but with flying spin kicks. His teacher was manipulative and abusive. Chan was beaten a lot, hungry most of the time, and always lonely. Yet, he credits his teacher and the school with giving him the abilities that would eventually make him a success.
There was a lot of interesting stuff in this book, including the development of the Hong Kong action movie industry, from the cheap Shaw Brothers operation to the higher budget Golden Harvest studio. Shaw Brothers, dominant early on, were notorious for cutting corners and cheating employees out of wages. Golden Harvest would later displace them. Golden Harvest was willing to spend money to make better movies; plus, they had Bruce Lee.
Bruce Lee's untimely death left the industry reeling. Studios tried advancing various actors, including Chan, as "the next Bruce Lee," but audiences weren't buying it. Chan was given roles, none of which were successful, until he was allowed to craft his own style. Where Bruce Lee was the invincible hero, Jackie Chan would make his mark as an underdog character, an average guy forced to confront stronger adversaries. The formula worked, and Jackie Chan became wildly successful.
Also of interest is Chan's account of his struggles to break into the American film industry. While Chan is stoical about it, it's evident that there is a great deal of latent prejudice in Hollywood. Asian actors were not (and often still aren't) cast as leading men or women in their own right by the major studios. Jackie Chan would become the top star in Asia, with a fan base that numbered in the billions, but for a long time American studios were fairly condescending toward him.
The heart of this book, the best part of it, is where Chan talks about his personal development. Everyone says that Jackie Chan is a really nice guy, but Chan tells how success went to his head, how he became an arrogant jerk. He tells how setbacks in his personal life humbled him. However, the factor that had the biggest effect in shaping Jackie Chan is hard work.
The incredible work ethic of the man is the unifying theme of this book. Work was his response to hardship and a source of solace; it was his means to success. He speaks of how lucky he was, but really his luck was a matter of persistence. It was also a matter of taking risks and trying new things. Some people may dismiss martial arts movies (and some of them are pretty bad); however, Chan speaks eloquently about his craft, about how much thought and choreography go into action scenes, and the responsibility he feels toward his fans.
I've always liked Jackie Chan, but this book made me a fan.
Jackie Chan was the son of poor, refugee parents in Hong Kong, who fostered him to a Chinese Opera school, a place like a Dickensian orphanage, but with flying spin kicks. His teacher was manipulative and abusive. Chan was beaten a lot, hungry most of the time, and always lonely. Yet, he credits his teacher and the school with giving him the abilities that would eventually make him a success.
There was a lot of interesting stuff in this book, including the development of the Hong Kong action movie industry, from the cheap Shaw Brothers operation to the higher budget Golden Harvest studio. Shaw Brothers, dominant early on, were notorious for cutting corners and cheating employees out of wages. Golden Harvest would later displace them. Golden Harvest was willing to spend money to make better movies; plus, they had Bruce Lee.
Bruce Lee's untimely death left the industry reeling. Studios tried advancing various actors, including Chan, as "the next Bruce Lee," but audiences weren't buying it. Chan was given roles, none of which were successful, until he was allowed to craft his own style. Where Bruce Lee was the invincible hero, Jackie Chan would make his mark as an underdog character, an average guy forced to confront stronger adversaries. The formula worked, and Jackie Chan became wildly successful.
Also of interest is Chan's account of his struggles to break into the American film industry. While Chan is stoical about it, it's evident that there is a great deal of latent prejudice in Hollywood. Asian actors were not (and often still aren't) cast as leading men or women in their own right by the major studios. Jackie Chan would become the top star in Asia, with a fan base that numbered in the billions, but for a long time American studios were fairly condescending toward him.
The heart of this book, the best part of it, is where Chan talks about his personal development. Everyone says that Jackie Chan is a really nice guy, but Chan tells how success went to his head, how he became an arrogant jerk. He tells how setbacks in his personal life humbled him. However, the factor that had the biggest effect in shaping Jackie Chan is hard work.
The incredible work ethic of the man is the unifying theme of this book. Work was his response to hardship and a source of solace; it was his means to success. He speaks of how lucky he was, but really his luck was a matter of persistence. It was also a matter of taking risks and trying new things. Some people may dismiss martial arts movies (and some of them are pretty bad); however, Chan speaks eloquently about his craft, about how much thought and choreography go into action scenes, and the responsibility he feels toward his fans.
I've always liked Jackie Chan, but this book made me a fan.
July 20, 2007
When Jackie Chan was 8 his parents sold him to the chinese opera where they beat the shit out of him and he learned to do backflips. And he met Sammo Hung who ate all his food. Then later he made kung fu films while fighting triads and also he fought al his producers and established his own character as a goofy unlikely hero guy. awesome.
March 17, 2008
I picked up this Jackie Chan autobiography randomly at my mom's house when I realized I had nothing fun to read while I was doing laundry. To my surprise, I was immediately sucked in, and didn't stop reading until I was done with the entire book a day later. Now, kung fu / martial arts movies are not even remotely close to being my favorite movie genre, but I have to admit, once I finished this book, I was ALMOST itching to rend a Jackie Chan movie. I have now added Drunken Master to my netflix list.
July 9, 2023
Great read!
August 21, 2023
This was a surprisingly good read. Like, really really good. Biographies are often hard to follow (for me) but I found myself sailing through this one. This read like fiction, which made the process much simpler for me. I consistently found myself forgetting that this was about the actual Jackie Chan and not just a character in a book. This is probably all down to Jackie not actually being the one who wrote this...well, I can't actually say that. The co-author of this is Jeff Yang who I personally believe wrote this through Jackie's stories. Either way, I'm pleased with the result.
I do have a few personal thoughts about this book and Jackie as a person but I'll discuss those with my friends instead of bothering people here. But I heard he has a Memoir from 2016 that addresses a certain transgression I'd like to learn more about so I'll have to look into that.
Anyways, this was a really cool read not just from the Jackie Chan side of things but also the film making culture in Hong Kong and other parts of East Asia. Very cool.
I do have a few personal thoughts about this book and Jackie as a person but I'll discuss those with my friends instead of bothering people here. But I heard he has a Memoir from 2016 that addresses a certain transgression I'd like to learn more about so I'll have to look into that.
Anyways, this was a really cool read not just from the Jackie Chan side of things but also the film making culture in Hong Kong and other parts of East Asia. Very cool.
March 3, 2017
DO OR DIE - An ugly Chinese kid failing in school (can that really happen?), struggling to get decent food for survival becomes the biggest movie martial arts sensation of the world. Other than rags to riches story, the inspiring idea is about risk taking. If you do not take risks, you remain a nobody. And that is what all his movies are about....
August 11, 2020
Отличная история человека, нашедшего свой путь к славе.
И повод пересмотреть что-то из его фильмов.
И повод пересмотреть что-то из его фильмов.
April 23, 2020
The passion and heart of the Jackie Chan we know and love oozes from the pages of this book... It is an underdog story, an asian history lesson and a documentation in the world of cinema both in Hong Kong and the US, all written in a fast paced, entertaining and at times novelistic fashion.
Jackie Chan’s life story is truly fascinating and filled with events you would be forgiven for thinking only appeared in his films including: love, near death injuries and even triads.
From humble beginnings to world-wide stardom. He along with Jeff Yang (the co-author), expresses himself with such honesty, transparency and at times even self-deprecation when looking back at the highs and lows of his life and career.
This book was published in 1998/99, so just as “Rush Hour” was coming out. Which is a shame as because I’m writing this in 2020 this book has left me extremely eager to read about the years in-between. I’ll be sure to pick up his other book released just a few years ago very soon but if you are a fan of Jackie Chan as I am, this book is a must.
As Jackie admits himself in this book. He is not the perfect person we may imagine and wish him to be (and who is?) but what I can safely say after reading this, is he is one of the most passionate, hard-working and down to earth people in the film industry and the chapter where he mentions sweeping up the office even when he is a big star pretty much sums up this book and his personality. At times, the film industry and world as a whole needs more of a Jackie Chan outlook to life to be sure, and maybe reading this, he may just influence you to take pride in the small things and appreciate people more, no matter how rich or important you are.
Jackie Chan’s life story is truly fascinating and filled with events you would be forgiven for thinking only appeared in his films including: love, near death injuries and even triads.
From humble beginnings to world-wide stardom. He along with Jeff Yang (the co-author), expresses himself with such honesty, transparency and at times even self-deprecation when looking back at the highs and lows of his life and career.
This book was published in 1998/99, so just as “Rush Hour” was coming out. Which is a shame as because I’m writing this in 2020 this book has left me extremely eager to read about the years in-between. I’ll be sure to pick up his other book released just a few years ago very soon but if you are a fan of Jackie Chan as I am, this book is a must.
As Jackie admits himself in this book. He is not the perfect person we may imagine and wish him to be (and who is?) but what I can safely say after reading this, is he is one of the most passionate, hard-working and down to earth people in the film industry and the chapter where he mentions sweeping up the office even when he is a big star pretty much sums up this book and his personality. At times, the film industry and world as a whole needs more of a Jackie Chan outlook to life to be sure, and maybe reading this, he may just influence you to take pride in the small things and appreciate people more, no matter how rich or important you are.
April 9, 2017
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a world-renown celebrity in possession of a book deal, must be in want of a co-writer. There is usually a reason that celebrity autobiographies do not have a lot of literary street cred. However, I proclaim that there is a deep vein of ore to mine from Jackie Chan's entry into the genre. The life and fortune of Jackie Chan turns on historic forces that broke up his father and mother's first families, as they escaped from China to Hong Kong. Another turn of history brought Jackie Chan to be part of the last generation to grow up in the exacting world of the Chinese Opera schools. The cultural shift of movies taking over the traditional arts brought Jackie Chan to the world of film. From there it was a bit of personal drive, luck, and help from his opera school brothers and sisters that finally turned Jackie Chan into the international film star. Beyond the historic, cultural, and economic forces, there is an interesting vein about what makes someone part of your family and how you build a family when you are traveling most of the year. It seems like some sharper edges are sanded down in Jackie Chan's wilder days, but it is interesting to read about the story that Jackie Chan wants to tell the world.
Why this?/Why now?: A good friend recommended this book after he saw that I read Bruce Campbell's first book. I'm not shifting towards celebrity autobiography, though I can say that this was an entertaining journey.
Why this?/Why now?: A good friend recommended this book after he saw that I read Bruce Campbell's first book. I'm not shifting towards celebrity autobiography, though I can say that this was an entertaining journey.
February 28, 2012
Can't believe how much I enjoyed this, when I have only ever seen one Jackie Chan movie in my life. Maybe two. With a talented coauthor, Chan tells the story of his childhood in a school for Chinese opera (beatings and 19-hour-days were common), breaking into the movie business as a stuntman, going broke, getting called back into the movies to act for a director who tried to turn him into Bruce Lee, finally getting the freedom to make his own movies, which became blockbusters, and trying to show ignorant America that he was already a huge star worldwide, even if Americans hadn't heard of him. The stunts: crazy! (like jumping off a 100 foot building to honor his childhood teacher, or failing to jump off a 50 foot clock tower 6 days in a row, so that on the 7th day he told his helper to help him hang from the hands of a clock and then leave, so there was nowhere to go but down.) The message: you achieve success through hard work and originality.
May 28, 2013
What a good memoir. I really enjoyed reading about the Hong Kong movie industry which is very different from Hollywood apparently. I liked seeing a side of Jackie Chan that I wouldn't expect to see. I enjoyed his humility along with his confidence, the fact that he can admit his failures while still celebrating his successes is refreshing to see in a "superstar". Mr. Chan has certainly come a long way in his life and he's done so with grace and style, even with a few bumps in the road. This memoir makes me want to go rent all of his movies! I also realized that if I'm seeing some crazy action stunt being done in an American film, it's probably already been done in one of Mr. Chan's Hong Kong films! Another reason to see his earlier work.
September 13, 2010
Jackie Chan's autobiography is written with an easy conversational style, one that allows an occasional comment to drop that reveals a twinkle in the author's eye.
This is a surprising story of a young boy raised in an incredibly strict environment of the Peking Opera Dramatic Academy; of a youth trying to survive as a stuntman in the glutted Hong Kong film market; of a young man trying to develop his own cinema persona in an industry committed to molding him into the style of the most recent celebrity.
Beyond sharing the story of his successes and failures, I found that this narrative also provided me a renewed perspective of how to meet my challenges and maintainmy my integrity.
This is a surprising story of a young boy raised in an incredibly strict environment of the Peking Opera Dramatic Academy; of a youth trying to survive as a stuntman in the glutted Hong Kong film market; of a young man trying to develop his own cinema persona in an industry committed to molding him into the style of the most recent celebrity.
Beyond sharing the story of his successes and failures, I found that this narrative also provided me a renewed perspective of how to meet my challenges and maintainmy my integrity.
November 1, 2016
A refreshing change of pace from the last auto-biography I read, Schwarzenegger's Total Recall. I am Jackie Chan was fast, funny and entertaining, much like Jackie's films. It was easy to read, not overly detailed, and unlike Total Recall, it reeked of humility and honesty. Reading I am Jackie Chan gave me a very good sense of the man and what has driven him to such international heights of fame and admiration.
At the end of the book, Jackie lists his top ten stunts and top ten fights, and he is full of praise for the people who helped him become the man he is. I liked this book a lot, and reckon I will have to have a Jackie Chan film binge.
At the end of the book, Jackie lists his top ten stunts and top ten fights, and he is full of praise for the people who helped him become the man he is. I liked this book a lot, and reckon I will have to have a Jackie Chan film binge.
August 25, 2021
You know how every celebrity biography has the boring bit about their childhood that you inevitably end up skimming or skipping? Jackie Chan's autobiography may be the only one of its kind where that section - taking up almost half the book - is by far the most interesting part. His time growing up as a student of the harrowing Beijing Opera school, where he first learned to take his signature falls, makes for very interesting reading. The second half, about his career in the movies, is still entertaining but less revelatory than the first.
March 9, 2018
For an action star, the dude can write. Also there's pictures of him shirtless in it, so that's worth the admission price alone.
April 7, 2018
Very interesting look at how Jackie Chan got his start. The problem is, the book is 20 years old and there is a whole lot more to his story now. I would love an updated version of the book.
March 21, 2019
Man I love reading these stories. Such wonderful insight
September 5, 2020
Translation was not great, but if you like Jackie chan it might be a fun read.
May 10, 2022
Not knowing much about Jackie Chan, nor having seen very many of his movies, I found this book to be really interesting. He’s had quite a life.
April 3, 2013
I AM JACKIE CHAN: MY LIFE IN ACTION – BOOK REVIEW
My family and I love to watch Jackie Chan films. I bought I am Jackie Chan: My life in action as a Christmas present for my brother. Jackie Chan’s autobiography was first published in 1996 and my brother and I wanted the book but we were kids and couldn’t afford it. As I grew up I couldn’t find the book anywhere and it’s only now as an adult, that I purchased the book off Amazon. I have the updated edition of the biography which contains new information and was released during the time when Jackie was making the first Rush Hour movie.
The biography is a rare insight into Jackie’s life. He recounts his childhood, love life and film career. Jackie was born on April 7th 1954 to Charles and Lee-Lee Chan in Hong Kong. Both his parents were servants to the French ambassador in Hong Kong. Charles Chan was the cook and Lee-Lee was the housekeeper. They named their son, Chan Kong Sang.
Jackie was enthusiastic and energetic child. He got up to mischief and had fights with the neighbourhood children. At school, he could never sit still. He found school boring and was often in trouble.
School was the place where the neighbour’s kids wasted all the best parts of the day. It meant dressing up in sissy clothes, spending hours in stifling classrooms, and learning things that were of no use to anyone. I could learn everything I needed to right here at home.
.....Actually, now I regret not having paid more attention at school. You can’t ever go back again, and I’ll never know the pleasures of the classics, or higher mathematics, or the great lessons of history.
Excerpt from I am Jackie Chan: My life in action p. 15 and 16.
Life at the academy was tough. We would call it child abuse. Master gave Jackie a new name, Yuen Lo. All the children were given new names so that they left their old identity behind. All the boys were Yuen something, such as Yuen Ting, Yuen Lung etc. The students had a vigorous routine of singing, dancing, acting, acrobatics and martial arts training. Everything had to done perfectly or the master would whip you. There was a hierarchy among the children according to age, Biggest brother and big brother were in charge of discipline as well. Jackie had an antagonistic relationship with his “big brothers” and they frequently fought and teased him.
Although the work was hard, the students were motivated to keep going. Jackie felt that he couldn’t run away or quit because he had worked too hard. He wanted the chance to perform in front of an audience. Jackie got his chance when he was chosen by master to be a part of the Seven Little Fortunes, a travelling troupe comprising of the best students.
The popularity of Chinese Opera started to wane with Hong Kong cinema on the rise. Opera schools started closing and the Seven Little Fortunes were getting less bookings. Master hired the students out to film studio to act as extras and stunt men to pay the bills. Students started to leave the school and eventually Jackie left the school at seventeen.
Jackie was all alone in Hong Kong as his mother had joined his father in Australia. He lived in a tiny flat with no furniture and worked in films as a stunt man. Whenever he was free he would visit his first love, Oh Chang. Oh Chang was an opera student at different school. Jackie loved her kind and gentle nature. The young couple, use to sneak out at night to sit at the park and talk (yes just talk no funny business). All Jackie wanted was someone to talk and share his sensitive side. He respected her and saw her as a delicate flower so he didn’t want to take advantage of her.
Unfortunately Oh Chang’s dad found out about the relationship and forbid his daughter from seeing Jackie. Oh Chang’s family didn’t approve of her dating a poor boy.
“Goodbye,” she said. “Will I ever see you again?” Stuffing my hands in my pockets, I turned and began to walk.” “No”, I said, my voice flat. “Not like this.”
No the way I am today, I thought to myself, as I turned the corner and began to run. When you see me again- If you see me again –it will not be as Yuen Lo, the poor stunt boy.
I hated Yuen Lo. I had nothing but contempt for him-lazy, good-for-nothing, loser Yuen Lo. He would have to die, I realised. For me to be what I wanted to be, I would have to kill Yuen Lo. And become someone else.
Excerpt from I am Jackie Chan: My life in action p. 147.
Jackie became determined to work hard to become a stunt coordinator. He also got a few acting roles in some action movies. He even worked on a Bruce Lee movie! When Bruce Lee died 1973 everyone was devastated. The public didn’t want to see action movies so it was hard for Jackie to find work. So, Jackie moved to Australia briefly to live his parents.
When Jackie came to Australia, he tried to learn English at school. He found school boring and English was hard to learn. He decided to work instead and it was at work, that he got his name Jackie. The Australians found it hard to pronounce his name, Chan Kong Sang or Yuen Lo. His father got him a construction job with his friend Jack. When they went to work, the other workers asked what his name was and Jack replied that his new Asian friend’s name was Little Jack. Eventually, he became Jackie.
Jackie wasn’t happy living in Australia. He missed his old life in Hong Kong. So, his parents made a deal with him that he could go back to Hong Kong and try to make a career in the film industry for two years and if that didn’t work, he had to come back to Australia.
When Jackie did come back to Hong Kong he was signed to the Lo Wei Motion Picture Company. He did not get along with Lo Wei. Lo Wei wanted Jackie to be the new Bruce Lee and he asked that Jackie copy his style. Jackie just wanted to be himself. In those days, actors didn’t have managers and agents. They were controlled by the studio and the studio decided what films they did. In the book, Jackie is very candid about his time with Lo Wei. Lo Wei died in 1996 so I guess, Jackie must have waited till he died because he doesn’t say very flattering things about him.
After a costly ordeal, Jackie managed to be released from his contract and signed to another film company called Golden Harvest. At Golden Harvest, he was able to do films his way. He wanted to show that Kung Fu movies didn’t always have to have an intense lead burning for revenge. That is why most Jackie Chan films has him playing an easygoing fellow. He also thought Kung Fu didn’t have to be set in a historical setting and have so much wirework. Jackie wanted to show that when you fight, you always get hurt whether you win or not.
As he became famous, he met and dated Chinese singer, Theresa Teng. The two broke up after Jackie became a big jerk and let fame get to his head.
I would hit the town wearing short pants, a t-shirt, and as much gold as my wrists and neck could carry. She was a wonder of politeness, a miracle of manners. I thumbed my nose at authority, laughing in the faces of hotel managers and haughty waiters, putting my feet up on the tables.
And, while she was content to go out alone, with no one but me as her gentleman escort-not that I was much of a gentleman- I refused to be seen anywhere without my boys: a gang of stuntmen in glasses.
Excerpt from I am Jackie Chan: My life in action p. 269.
Fortunately he realised he was arrogant jerk when she dumped him and the movie that he directed had flopped. He was only a young man at the time and had come from a poor background so I can understand how he got carried away by fame and fortune.
He later met Taiwanese actress Lin Feng-jiao (also known as Joan Lin) at a party. The two had a long distance relationship with Jackie flying from Hong Kong to Taiwan on the weekends. He knew that Lin Feng-jiao wanted a more stable and traditional relationship. So one day he surprised her during the middle of filming to reassure her of his commitment.
Feng- jiao, “I said, taking both of her hands again. “Marry me.” She let out a gasp. I went down on one knee. “Marry me!”
Excerpt from I am Jackie Chan: My life in action p. 293.
Jackie also writes about his attempts to break into the American film industry. He was frustrated when they wanted him to be the next Bruce Lee. All his American movies had little success until he made Rumble in the Bronx which was more to Jackie Chan’s style. The book ends with him mentioning that he was currently filming the first Rush Hour movie. Fortunately for him, it was a huge hit, with two sequels made afterwards. There are rumours that there will be a Rush Hour 4.
I recommend this book to all Jackie Chan fans. It was easy to read, humorous, touching and insightful. I wished that the book included Jackie’s charity work and music career but maybe in the future he’ll have another biography. The book also features lots of lovely old pictures of Jackie growing up as well as some pictures of his films. At the back of the book, there is a filmography of all of Jackie Chan’s movies and his thoughts on them. He also has a list of top ten stunts and injuries. I like to look at that lists when I watch a Jackie Chan movie to gain a greater insight into the making of the film.
So are you a fan of Jackie Chan? What is your favourite Jackie Chan movie?
My family and I love to watch Jackie Chan films. I bought I am Jackie Chan: My life in action as a Christmas present for my brother. Jackie Chan’s autobiography was first published in 1996 and my brother and I wanted the book but we were kids and couldn’t afford it. As I grew up I couldn’t find the book anywhere and it’s only now as an adult, that I purchased the book off Amazon. I have the updated edition of the biography which contains new information and was released during the time when Jackie was making the first Rush Hour movie.
The biography is a rare insight into Jackie’s life. He recounts his childhood, love life and film career. Jackie was born on April 7th 1954 to Charles and Lee-Lee Chan in Hong Kong. Both his parents were servants to the French ambassador in Hong Kong. Charles Chan was the cook and Lee-Lee was the housekeeper. They named their son, Chan Kong Sang.
Jackie was enthusiastic and energetic child. He got up to mischief and had fights with the neighbourhood children. At school, he could never sit still. He found school boring and was often in trouble.
School was the place where the neighbour’s kids wasted all the best parts of the day. It meant dressing up in sissy clothes, spending hours in stifling classrooms, and learning things that were of no use to anyone. I could learn everything I needed to right here at home.
.....Actually, now I regret not having paid more attention at school. You can’t ever go back again, and I’ll never know the pleasures of the classics, or higher mathematics, or the great lessons of history.
Excerpt from I am Jackie Chan: My life in action p. 15 and 16.
Life at the academy was tough. We would call it child abuse. Master gave Jackie a new name, Yuen Lo. All the children were given new names so that they left their old identity behind. All the boys were Yuen something, such as Yuen Ting, Yuen Lung etc. The students had a vigorous routine of singing, dancing, acting, acrobatics and martial arts training. Everything had to done perfectly or the master would whip you. There was a hierarchy among the children according to age, Biggest brother and big brother were in charge of discipline as well. Jackie had an antagonistic relationship with his “big brothers” and they frequently fought and teased him.
Although the work was hard, the students were motivated to keep going. Jackie felt that he couldn’t run away or quit because he had worked too hard. He wanted the chance to perform in front of an audience. Jackie got his chance when he was chosen by master to be a part of the Seven Little Fortunes, a travelling troupe comprising of the best students.
The popularity of Chinese Opera started to wane with Hong Kong cinema on the rise. Opera schools started closing and the Seven Little Fortunes were getting less bookings. Master hired the students out to film studio to act as extras and stunt men to pay the bills. Students started to leave the school and eventually Jackie left the school at seventeen.
Jackie was all alone in Hong Kong as his mother had joined his father in Australia. He lived in a tiny flat with no furniture and worked in films as a stunt man. Whenever he was free he would visit his first love, Oh Chang. Oh Chang was an opera student at different school. Jackie loved her kind and gentle nature. The young couple, use to sneak out at night to sit at the park and talk (yes just talk no funny business). All Jackie wanted was someone to talk and share his sensitive side. He respected her and saw her as a delicate flower so he didn’t want to take advantage of her.
Unfortunately Oh Chang’s dad found out about the relationship and forbid his daughter from seeing Jackie. Oh Chang’s family didn’t approve of her dating a poor boy.
“Goodbye,” she said. “Will I ever see you again?” Stuffing my hands in my pockets, I turned and began to walk.” “No”, I said, my voice flat. “Not like this.”
No the way I am today, I thought to myself, as I turned the corner and began to run. When you see me again- If you see me again –it will not be as Yuen Lo, the poor stunt boy.
I hated Yuen Lo. I had nothing but contempt for him-lazy, good-for-nothing, loser Yuen Lo. He would have to die, I realised. For me to be what I wanted to be, I would have to kill Yuen Lo. And become someone else.
Excerpt from I am Jackie Chan: My life in action p. 147.
Jackie became determined to work hard to become a stunt coordinator. He also got a few acting roles in some action movies. He even worked on a Bruce Lee movie! When Bruce Lee died 1973 everyone was devastated. The public didn’t want to see action movies so it was hard for Jackie to find work. So, Jackie moved to Australia briefly to live his parents.
When Jackie came to Australia, he tried to learn English at school. He found school boring and English was hard to learn. He decided to work instead and it was at work, that he got his name Jackie. The Australians found it hard to pronounce his name, Chan Kong Sang or Yuen Lo. His father got him a construction job with his friend Jack. When they went to work, the other workers asked what his name was and Jack replied that his new Asian friend’s name was Little Jack. Eventually, he became Jackie.
Jackie wasn’t happy living in Australia. He missed his old life in Hong Kong. So, his parents made a deal with him that he could go back to Hong Kong and try to make a career in the film industry for two years and if that didn’t work, he had to come back to Australia.
When Jackie did come back to Hong Kong he was signed to the Lo Wei Motion Picture Company. He did not get along with Lo Wei. Lo Wei wanted Jackie to be the new Bruce Lee and he asked that Jackie copy his style. Jackie just wanted to be himself. In those days, actors didn’t have managers and agents. They were controlled by the studio and the studio decided what films they did. In the book, Jackie is very candid about his time with Lo Wei. Lo Wei died in 1996 so I guess, Jackie must have waited till he died because he doesn’t say very flattering things about him.
After a costly ordeal, Jackie managed to be released from his contract and signed to another film company called Golden Harvest. At Golden Harvest, he was able to do films his way. He wanted to show that Kung Fu movies didn’t always have to have an intense lead burning for revenge. That is why most Jackie Chan films has him playing an easygoing fellow. He also thought Kung Fu didn’t have to be set in a historical setting and have so much wirework. Jackie wanted to show that when you fight, you always get hurt whether you win or not.
As he became famous, he met and dated Chinese singer, Theresa Teng. The two broke up after Jackie became a big jerk and let fame get to his head.
I would hit the town wearing short pants, a t-shirt, and as much gold as my wrists and neck could carry. She was a wonder of politeness, a miracle of manners. I thumbed my nose at authority, laughing in the faces of hotel managers and haughty waiters, putting my feet up on the tables.
And, while she was content to go out alone, with no one but me as her gentleman escort-not that I was much of a gentleman- I refused to be seen anywhere without my boys: a gang of stuntmen in glasses.
Excerpt from I am Jackie Chan: My life in action p. 269.
Fortunately he realised he was arrogant jerk when she dumped him and the movie that he directed had flopped. He was only a young man at the time and had come from a poor background so I can understand how he got carried away by fame and fortune.
He later met Taiwanese actress Lin Feng-jiao (also known as Joan Lin) at a party. The two had a long distance relationship with Jackie flying from Hong Kong to Taiwan on the weekends. He knew that Lin Feng-jiao wanted a more stable and traditional relationship. So one day he surprised her during the middle of filming to reassure her of his commitment.
Feng- jiao, “I said, taking both of her hands again. “Marry me.” She let out a gasp. I went down on one knee. “Marry me!”
Excerpt from I am Jackie Chan: My life in action p. 293.
Jackie also writes about his attempts to break into the American film industry. He was frustrated when they wanted him to be the next Bruce Lee. All his American movies had little success until he made Rumble in the Bronx which was more to Jackie Chan’s style. The book ends with him mentioning that he was currently filming the first Rush Hour movie. Fortunately for him, it was a huge hit, with two sequels made afterwards. There are rumours that there will be a Rush Hour 4.
I recommend this book to all Jackie Chan fans. It was easy to read, humorous, touching and insightful. I wished that the book included Jackie’s charity work and music career but maybe in the future he’ll have another biography. The book also features lots of lovely old pictures of Jackie growing up as well as some pictures of his films. At the back of the book, there is a filmography of all of Jackie Chan’s movies and his thoughts on them. He also has a list of top ten stunts and injuries. I like to look at that lists when I watch a Jackie Chan movie to gain a greater insight into the making of the film.
So are you a fan of Jackie Chan? What is your favourite Jackie Chan movie?
November 28, 2025
Short, sparse, from 2006
I kinda like the style. Jackie gets right to the point and doesn't try to be poetic. He glosses over years of his career with a few words and doesn't name drop most of the movies he's been in.
-But god damn what a childhood. I had no idea.
One thing though, I looked it up. Pao pao (泡泡) (pronounced Pow-Pow) doesn't mean Cannonball like he said it did, although it is a common nickname for a baby. I thought it was so cute his baby name was cannonball, that finding out is a disappointment.
I kinda like the style. Jackie gets right to the point and doesn't try to be poetic. He glosses over years of his career with a few words and doesn't name drop most of the movies he's been in.
-But god damn what a childhood. I had no idea.
One thing though, I looked it up. Pao pao (泡泡) (pronounced Pow-Pow) doesn't mean Cannonball like he said it did, although it is a common nickname for a baby. I thought it was so cute his baby name was cannonball, that finding out is a disappointment.
August 7, 2014
Notes: Jackie Chan started writing, directing, doing camera work, and stunt doubling for his movies when he was in his late 20s. He started out as the most popular actor in Hong Kong before moving to America.
-The childhood part is 1/4th the book, kinda boring, but necessary. Gets better as you read. Could barely get through the first 1/4th
-A distribution executive name Willie saw Jackie when on set looking for movies to distribute. Almost half a decade later he experimented having Jackie lead.
-When Bruce Lee died stunt doubles started to lose jobs because the thought of a new martial arts movie made people sad about Bruce. Jackie realized he had to be the opposite of Bruce in everything, and show the world Jackie Chan, a character who revered martial arts, wasn't perfect and had a sense of humour.
-Jackie started starring in movies with a director named La who didn't allow Jackie to be creative. When he rented Jackie out, the guy who Jackie made the movie with allowed Jackie to do whatever he wanted. La did not allow the 'Kong Fu Parody' to be released. When it was two years later Jackie became a household name.
-Jackie eventually moved to a larger company when his contract with La expired. Leonard, the man who started the production company gave Jackie Chan 4.5 Million Hong Kong for the contract (La had been paying Jackie 3000 Hong Kong a month, and would only pay 100,000 to keep Jackie).
-Jackie says that when he went to Hollywood he saw TV shows had higher production values than full Hong Kong features which were shot average of 3 weeks to a month. Once Jackie got a $100 million box office movie, then executives allowed him to Write, Direct, Produce, Do his own stunts without questions.
-After a decade and a half of working on movies he became so powerful he could make up storylines on the spot and finish them in month in Hong Kong. It was more difficult in Hollywood, but after the $100 million movie he could.
Trivia:
-Two girls killed themselves then they found out he got married.
-Jackie claims when Bruce was on set he glowed with charisma, and Bruce directed, wrote stunt coordinated, did everything.
-Jackie's first girlfriend when he was 18 came from a rich family. Her dad made her break up with him after a couple of months. Fast forward, to when Jackie was 22. Through one of Jackie's orphan brothers she found Jackie was broke. She gave him 40,000(he earned 3000 a month during the peak demand of stunt doubles in Hong Kong) hong kong allowing jackie to pay back all his bills, gambling debt, and join his parents with Australia with them not knowing he was a complete failure.
-Jackie treated his stuntmen as well as actors. Until he got married, and whenever he was away from his family he brought his stunt guys everywhere, hung out with them every night and even brought them all on the plane when the girl he liked asked for martial arts lessons. When his second girlfriend came over for their last meal before he went overseas Jackie wanted to take all his stuntmen to dinner. She said who is it them or me?, Not wanting to look chicken to his men Jackie said, "them". Realizing his mistake he ran after her. Either she ignored him, or didn't hear him call his name.
-Jackie had eyelid surgery.
-He's a good friend of sylvester stallone
-In his 40s he found he had two brothers he didn't know about
-His father has lost his first wife during the war and his mother lost her husband during the war. Jackie's father worked at customs when he found a women trying to smuggle opium(to survive) which had a penalty of death. He let her through anyway, and eventually ran away with her to Hong Kong.
Observation:
Jackie's pretty street smart and has common sense. Combined with his manager Willie (who did more of the business work) they became a very powerful Duo. Jackie talks about 3 times where Willie (the only one who could do it) yelled at him to get him back on track.
1) When he got really cocky mid 20s and spoiled himself
2) When Jackie got dumped, depressed and didn't want to do movies anymore.
3) When Jackie almost gave up trying movies in America.
Willie's wikipedia page has barely anything on it, but if there was no Willie there would be no Jackie Chan.
Another reason is the Master who adopted him. That guy trained a house of orphans to do martial arts so strictly it would be called child abuse in today's standards. Jackie excelled here. The oldest brother named Sumo left the house first and helped Jackie find work all the time. Soon Jackie ended up volunteering to do the stunts nobody would dare do(multiple times) and would not need Sumo's help.
-The childhood part is 1/4th the book, kinda boring, but necessary. Gets better as you read. Could barely get through the first 1/4th
-A distribution executive name Willie saw Jackie when on set looking for movies to distribute. Almost half a decade later he experimented having Jackie lead.
-When Bruce Lee died stunt doubles started to lose jobs because the thought of a new martial arts movie made people sad about Bruce. Jackie realized he had to be the opposite of Bruce in everything, and show the world Jackie Chan, a character who revered martial arts, wasn't perfect and had a sense of humour.
-Jackie started starring in movies with a director named La who didn't allow Jackie to be creative. When he rented Jackie out, the guy who Jackie made the movie with allowed Jackie to do whatever he wanted. La did not allow the 'Kong Fu Parody' to be released. When it was two years later Jackie became a household name.
-Jackie eventually moved to a larger company when his contract with La expired. Leonard, the man who started the production company gave Jackie Chan 4.5 Million Hong Kong for the contract (La had been paying Jackie 3000 Hong Kong a month, and would only pay 100,000 to keep Jackie).
-Jackie says that when he went to Hollywood he saw TV shows had higher production values than full Hong Kong features which were shot average of 3 weeks to a month. Once Jackie got a $100 million box office movie, then executives allowed him to Write, Direct, Produce, Do his own stunts without questions.
-After a decade and a half of working on movies he became so powerful he could make up storylines on the spot and finish them in month in Hong Kong. It was more difficult in Hollywood, but after the $100 million movie he could.
Trivia:
-Two girls killed themselves then they found out he got married.
-Jackie claims when Bruce was on set he glowed with charisma, and Bruce directed, wrote stunt coordinated, did everything.
-Jackie's first girlfriend when he was 18 came from a rich family. Her dad made her break up with him after a couple of months. Fast forward, to when Jackie was 22. Through one of Jackie's orphan brothers she found Jackie was broke. She gave him 40,000(he earned 3000 a month during the peak demand of stunt doubles in Hong Kong) hong kong allowing jackie to pay back all his bills, gambling debt, and join his parents with Australia with them not knowing he was a complete failure.
-Jackie treated his stuntmen as well as actors. Until he got married, and whenever he was away from his family he brought his stunt guys everywhere, hung out with them every night and even brought them all on the plane when the girl he liked asked for martial arts lessons. When his second girlfriend came over for their last meal before he went overseas Jackie wanted to take all his stuntmen to dinner. She said who is it them or me?, Not wanting to look chicken to his men Jackie said, "them". Realizing his mistake he ran after her. Either she ignored him, or didn't hear him call his name.
-Jackie had eyelid surgery.
-He's a good friend of sylvester stallone
-In his 40s he found he had two brothers he didn't know about
-His father has lost his first wife during the war and his mother lost her husband during the war. Jackie's father worked at customs when he found a women trying to smuggle opium(to survive) which had a penalty of death. He let her through anyway, and eventually ran away with her to Hong Kong.
Observation:
Jackie's pretty street smart and has common sense. Combined with his manager Willie (who did more of the business work) they became a very powerful Duo. Jackie talks about 3 times where Willie (the only one who could do it) yelled at him to get him back on track.
1) When he got really cocky mid 20s and spoiled himself
2) When Jackie got dumped, depressed and didn't want to do movies anymore.
3) When Jackie almost gave up trying movies in America.
Willie's wikipedia page has barely anything on it, but if there was no Willie there would be no Jackie Chan.
Another reason is the Master who adopted him. That guy trained a house of orphans to do martial arts so strictly it would be called child abuse in today's standards. Jackie excelled here. The oldest brother named Sumo left the house first and helped Jackie find work all the time. Soon Jackie ended up volunteering to do the stunts nobody would dare do(multiple times) and would not need Sumo's help.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2023
Despite elementary zeitgeist implying otherwise, I can confirm that at no point did Jackie Chan hit any child with his car.
"I Am Jackie Chan" is a fascinating, if not slightly amateurish, look into the life of the international superstar. While some stories have aged less than gracefully (see: his unwavering commitment to his wife), they are nonetheless incredibly engaging. I do not envy his upbringing, regardless of how greatly it benefitted him in the long run. His story is prime for a film adaptation, though whether or not that will ever happen is yet to be seen.
"I Am Jackie Chan" is a fascinating, if not slightly amateurish, look into the life of the international superstar. While some stories have aged less than gracefully (see: his unwavering commitment to his wife), they are nonetheless incredibly engaging. I do not envy his upbringing, regardless of how greatly it benefitted him in the long run. His story is prime for a film adaptation, though whether or not that will ever happen is yet to be seen.
October 4, 2012
This book is a memoir/autobiography about Jackie Chan's Life, he did a good job showing his life problems / challenges and how he had to face and conquer them. He was very detailed and showed how he got to where he is today. He goes from poor to rich because he worked hard to achieve. On page 366 - 398 he shares his personal reviews for his movies, starting with his first one (Big and Little Wong Tin-Bar - 1962)to the most current one the book lists (Shanghai Noon - 2000)i found this to be very interesting , because most people don't share their personal reviews.
I rated this 5 stars because Jackie Chan is one of my favorite actors , who doesn't like Jackie Chan?
also I liked the fact that it wasn't boring and dragged out like most autobiographies tend to be, in my opinion.
Quote from the book, "it was a bad time to be poor, but then again when isn't it a good time to be poor?" (page 4) how does this quote relate to me ? now a days we have so many poor people, by the millions and I've had to grow up to see it, no one should have to grow up to see someone without a home or begging on the streets for money , I had a house when I was younger and since my dad didn't work we suffered from foreclosure and had to live homeless for a year or so until we could afford a motel to stay at until we could finally move up to a crappy apartment, this quote relates to me and every single poor person and that's why I sited it instead of siting a different one, there is plenty of good quotes in this book, this one just said more than the others.
How does this book connect with what we are learning in class ? we learned about comedy which Jackie Chan is well known for doing and I can tell the types of comedy he uses , example : "sorry to contradict you , Mr. whoever , but the only things to fear are fear itself... AND hitting the ground at one hundred miles an hour with nothing between you and the emergency room besides inches of rubber" this is Hyperbole because its sarcastic , his producer wouldn't clearly force him to jump out of a sixteen story building with nothing but a few inches of rubber blocking him from hitting the ground. So that's how it shoes comedy throughout the book various times. We are also learning about memoirs in class and this is a memoir , an autobiography about him writing about his life.
I would recommend this to people who like Jackie Chan and are interested in learning more about his life, I would recommend it to everyone of all ages because its family-friendly and not inappropriate for children but not so childish that adults wouldn't enjoy it , so its for all ages.
I rated this 5 stars because Jackie Chan is one of my favorite actors , who doesn't like Jackie Chan?
also I liked the fact that it wasn't boring and dragged out like most autobiographies tend to be, in my opinion.
Quote from the book, "it was a bad time to be poor, but then again when isn't it a good time to be poor?" (page 4) how does this quote relate to me ? now a days we have so many poor people, by the millions and I've had to grow up to see it, no one should have to grow up to see someone without a home or begging on the streets for money , I had a house when I was younger and since my dad didn't work we suffered from foreclosure and had to live homeless for a year or so until we could afford a motel to stay at until we could finally move up to a crappy apartment, this quote relates to me and every single poor person and that's why I sited it instead of siting a different one, there is plenty of good quotes in this book, this one just said more than the others.
How does this book connect with what we are learning in class ? we learned about comedy which Jackie Chan is well known for doing and I can tell the types of comedy he uses , example : "sorry to contradict you , Mr. whoever , but the only things to fear are fear itself... AND hitting the ground at one hundred miles an hour with nothing between you and the emergency room besides inches of rubber" this is Hyperbole because its sarcastic , his producer wouldn't clearly force him to jump out of a sixteen story building with nothing but a few inches of rubber blocking him from hitting the ground. So that's how it shoes comedy throughout the book various times. We are also learning about memoirs in class and this is a memoir , an autobiography about him writing about his life.
I would recommend this to people who like Jackie Chan and are interested in learning more about his life, I would recommend it to everyone of all ages because its family-friendly and not inappropriate for children but not so childish that adults wouldn't enjoy it , so its for all ages.
May 12, 2016
From his humble beginings as the son of a cook and a cleaner all the way to his current 'superstar' status - with everything between. This is an honest and often moving account of Jackie Chan's life; detailing his harsh upbringing, his struggle to reach the top, his joys and his regrets.
This book has given me a new insight on a man I have admired since my early childhood. "I am Jackie Chan: My Life in Action" also includes Jackie's comments about every film he has made, lists of his favourite stunts and fights and details of the injuries he has sustained as the result of his unique "The more terrified my friends and family are, the more satisfied my fans will be" stunt directing formula, that has had fans gasping for breath for over two decades.
The book begins with Jackie about to plunge 250 feet down the side of a skyscraper (the main stunt in Jackie's recent film 'Who Am I?'). As he prepares to jump, his life flashes before his eyes and it's another 315 pages before he actually jumps. For me, the book really begins when Jackie is packed of to Opera School by his parents; little Jackie thinks he's in for a great time but when his parents sign a form permitting the Opera School Master to 'discipline the boy, even to death' you can't help feeling rather worried for him. I won't go into any real detail about his time in the opera school, as you really should read the book to find out more but I will say that the way he (and the other children at the school) was treated will almost certainly shock you. Eventually, to get some time outside of the school (and to earn some money), Jackie starts to work as a stuntman, performing dangerous stunts that others won't risk and never admitting it hurts. His stunt performing soon makes him a sought after stuntman and work comes flooding in, he progresses to a stunt coordinator and an actor and after a lot of blood, sweat and certainly some tears, he has become successful and wealthy.
This is not the end of the story; he loses almost everything by gambling it away and moves back with his parents (in Australia) and works on a building site (plus some other jobs) and works his way back up to where he is now. 'How does he do this?' I hear you ask - read the book to find out! No fan should be without this, but I also recommend it to people who are not fans simply because it is a very moving and heart felt story of a remarkable man. When I got this book I literally did not put it down until I'd finished; it took me a whole day to read but it was worth every minute (and every hour). This book was written by Jackie Chan and translated into english by Jeff Yang.
This book has given me a new insight on a man I have admired since my early childhood. "I am Jackie Chan: My Life in Action" also includes Jackie's comments about every film he has made, lists of his favourite stunts and fights and details of the injuries he has sustained as the result of his unique "The more terrified my friends and family are, the more satisfied my fans will be" stunt directing formula, that has had fans gasping for breath for over two decades.
The book begins with Jackie about to plunge 250 feet down the side of a skyscraper (the main stunt in Jackie's recent film 'Who Am I?'). As he prepares to jump, his life flashes before his eyes and it's another 315 pages before he actually jumps. For me, the book really begins when Jackie is packed of to Opera School by his parents; little Jackie thinks he's in for a great time but when his parents sign a form permitting the Opera School Master to 'discipline the boy, even to death' you can't help feeling rather worried for him. I won't go into any real detail about his time in the opera school, as you really should read the book to find out more but I will say that the way he (and the other children at the school) was treated will almost certainly shock you. Eventually, to get some time outside of the school (and to earn some money), Jackie starts to work as a stuntman, performing dangerous stunts that others won't risk and never admitting it hurts. His stunt performing soon makes him a sought after stuntman and work comes flooding in, he progresses to a stunt coordinator and an actor and after a lot of blood, sweat and certainly some tears, he has become successful and wealthy.
This is not the end of the story; he loses almost everything by gambling it away and moves back with his parents (in Australia) and works on a building site (plus some other jobs) and works his way back up to where he is now. 'How does he do this?' I hear you ask - read the book to find out! No fan should be without this, but I also recommend it to people who are not fans simply because it is a very moving and heart felt story of a remarkable man. When I got this book I literally did not put it down until I'd finished; it took me a whole day to read but it was worth every minute (and every hour). This book was written by Jackie Chan and translated into english by Jeff Yang.
June 15, 2017
I’m a great reader of Memoirs, especially of creative men and women. In just the past few months, I’ve read Willie Nelson, Pete Townshend, Kieth Richards, Neil Young, Jann Arden…
And I’ve just re-reread I AM JACKIE CHAN: My Life in Action.
And entered young Chan Kong-sang’s life. Listen:
I remember a frightened seven-year-old walking into the dark and musty halls of the China Drama Academy, holding his father’s hand. Inside, he sees young boys and girls leaping and tumbling and screaming. Paradise–
“How long do you want to stay here, Jackie?”
“Forever!” answers the boy, his eyes bright and wide. And he lets go of his father to clutch at the hem of his master’s robe…
And that Chinese Opera Master, with “the legal authority to train his students even to death,” a man Jackie came to hate and fear and love, would indeed teach Jackie all the skills of ancient arts.
It’s an unfamiliar world to us Westerners, like something out of Dickens of long ago. And Jackie’s telling of those years is truly fascinating. Through the chapters, he grows into a young disciplined man of the full range of operatic skills — from kung fu to clownish pratfalls to singing and dancing to character acting. And we meet his fellow students, his “brothers and sisters, big and little, with whom I ate and slept and fought and argued and grew and learned.”
I AM JACKIE CHAN then takes us out into the world of Hong Kong movie-making in the 60’s and 70’s, a career of stumbling and some success and stumbling again. And ends in 1989, just when “I finally got a deal started on a movie that should be out in theaters right now, Rush Hour…”
And that was two decades ago.
In that time, dozens of films, including Shanghai Noon, Around the World in 80 Days (as Passepartout), The Forbidden Kingdom, The Karate Kid have lit our screens. And the voices for others, like Kung Fu Panda. As of this writing, Shanghai Dawn is in production for a 2018 release. And Jackie has said, “Rush Hour 4 is happening!”
Twenty years to catch up on. Time, Jackie, for I AM JACKIE CHAN 2!
TO SEE MY COMPLETE POSTING ON JACKIE CHAN, Including the Latest on RUSH HOUR 4, Go To http://www.CivilizedBears.com/Jackie-...
- Brian Alan Burhoe
And I’ve just re-reread I AM JACKIE CHAN: My Life in Action.
And entered young Chan Kong-sang’s life. Listen:
I remember a frightened seven-year-old walking into the dark and musty halls of the China Drama Academy, holding his father’s hand. Inside, he sees young boys and girls leaping and tumbling and screaming. Paradise–
“How long do you want to stay here, Jackie?”
“Forever!” answers the boy, his eyes bright and wide. And he lets go of his father to clutch at the hem of his master’s robe…
And that Chinese Opera Master, with “the legal authority to train his students even to death,” a man Jackie came to hate and fear and love, would indeed teach Jackie all the skills of ancient arts.
It’s an unfamiliar world to us Westerners, like something out of Dickens of long ago. And Jackie’s telling of those years is truly fascinating. Through the chapters, he grows into a young disciplined man of the full range of operatic skills — from kung fu to clownish pratfalls to singing and dancing to character acting. And we meet his fellow students, his “brothers and sisters, big and little, with whom I ate and slept and fought and argued and grew and learned.”
I AM JACKIE CHAN then takes us out into the world of Hong Kong movie-making in the 60’s and 70’s, a career of stumbling and some success and stumbling again. And ends in 1989, just when “I finally got a deal started on a movie that should be out in theaters right now, Rush Hour…”
And that was two decades ago.
In that time, dozens of films, including Shanghai Noon, Around the World in 80 Days (as Passepartout), The Forbidden Kingdom, The Karate Kid have lit our screens. And the voices for others, like Kung Fu Panda. As of this writing, Shanghai Dawn is in production for a 2018 release. And Jackie has said, “Rush Hour 4 is happening!”
Twenty years to catch up on. Time, Jackie, for I AM JACKIE CHAN 2!
TO SEE MY COMPLETE POSTING ON JACKIE CHAN, Including the Latest on RUSH HOUR 4, Go To http://www.CivilizedBears.com/Jackie-...
- Brian Alan Burhoe
September 1, 2015
One of Asia's most popular film stars, Chan has helped reinvent the Hong Kong action genre by blending hyperkinetic stunts with a self-deprecating humor and a freewheeling flamboyance reminiscent of Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire. His autobiography, unfortunately, contains few of these elements. In minute detail, he chronicles his punishing childhood in the Chinese Opera Research Institute and his rise to superstardom. From age seven to 17, under the severe discipline?some might even call it child abuse?of his Opera Master, Chan was trained for theater and film work.
After the death of Bruce Lee (Chan was a stuntman in Lee's Fists of Fury and Enter the Dragon), his studio, Golden Harvest, attempted to turn him into a Lee clone. But Chan's film persona finally gelled when he began to emulate his silent-movie heroes and to punctuate his films with what he calls "the superstunt"?high-risk feats of derring-do that he performs himself. Chan takes himself to task for neglecting his family (indeed, his wife and 14-year-old son are only briefly mentioned), and offers a candid look at the gangs, called Triads, that retain a powerful grip on the Hong Kong film industry.
But despite such glimpses behind the actor's Teflon veneer, and his punchy anecdotes, this surprisingly tame, sometimes plodding memoir fails to deliver the heady thrills one has come to expect of a Jackie Chan production.
After the death of Bruce Lee (Chan was a stuntman in Lee's Fists of Fury and Enter the Dragon), his studio, Golden Harvest, attempted to turn him into a Lee clone. But Chan's film persona finally gelled when he began to emulate his silent-movie heroes and to punctuate his films with what he calls "the superstunt"?high-risk feats of derring-do that he performs himself. Chan takes himself to task for neglecting his family (indeed, his wife and 14-year-old son are only briefly mentioned), and offers a candid look at the gangs, called Triads, that retain a powerful grip on the Hong Kong film industry.
But despite such glimpses behind the actor's Teflon veneer, and his punchy anecdotes, this surprisingly tame, sometimes plodding memoir fails to deliver the heady thrills one has come to expect of a Jackie Chan production.
August 20, 2011
I was surprised to learn Jackie Chan was sold to the Chinese Opera when he was a child because his parents couldn't afford to support him...and he was an unruly child. That part is believable I suppose. I thought the whole training era, from 7-17, was fascinating...and brutal. Makes me wonder if he really is the last true kung fu performer like that, that can do his own stunts, since that kind of training has to be outlawed by now. Was that training really the key to his skill? Or will others come out that talented and that well trained without the brutality? I really enjoyed learning about his early life and early career. I had no idea he was so famous in Asia and around the world. So I was a disappointed toward the end when I realized the book was written in 1998 before he really made it big in America. Maybe there will be a sequel. :) Because I really want to know where his daugher fits in there, since he only mentions a wife and son in this book. Probably because she was born in 1999. I suppose that's all too scandalous anyway. That's another sad part of his life: no normal family life. But that's what he chose and that seems to be working for him.
Overall I really enjoyed reading the book and if makes me want to rent his movies and really pay attention to the stunts! The 4 comes from some language but other than that, it's pretty clean.
Overall I really enjoyed reading the book and if makes me want to rent his movies and really pay attention to the stunts! The 4 comes from some language but other than that, it's pretty clean.
May 20, 2020
I have been a fan of Jackie Chan’s movies for a while and when I came across this book, it seemed interesting. I had not been too aware of his early background and expected a typical story about a normal child that grew up to act in many movies. This book proved to be quite different. Jackie took a deep dive into his early life and I found it to be remarkably honest. He had a difficult early life and I marbled at his tenacity. In many ways the harsh treatment he got in opera school proved far more difficult than his later amazing stunts.
In addition, Jackie described his personal life and attempts to break into films. He also demonstrated lots of honesty and admitted to many failures. It should be noted that Jackie did not have to include this as part of his story. He could have glossed over the bad parts and emphasized all the fun times. However, he chose the difficult path and I now have a greater respect for his accomplishments.
This is a great book and I learned a lot about Jackie. I recommended this book to one friend who is a fan. However, if you are expecting a glamorous story about Jackie, this is not the book for you. This book is about the real person and what he went through.
In addition, Jackie described his personal life and attempts to break into films. He also demonstrated lots of honesty and admitted to many failures. It should be noted that Jackie did not have to include this as part of his story. He could have glossed over the bad parts and emphasized all the fun times. However, he chose the difficult path and I now have a greater respect for his accomplishments.
This is a great book and I learned a lot about Jackie. I recommended this book to one friend who is a fan. However, if you are expecting a glamorous story about Jackie, this is not the book for you. This book is about the real person and what he went through.
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