Jackie Chan Family Tree: The Story Behind Hong Kong's Kung Fu King

Chan Kong-sang, known as Jackie Chan, born 7 April 1954 in British Hong Kong, is Hong Kong's most-globally-recognised actor-martial-artist-stuntman — 150+ films: Snake in the Eagle's Shadow (1978), Drunken Master (1978), Police Story (1985), Armour of God (1986), Rumble in the Bronx (1995), Rush Hour (1998-2007), Shanghai Noon (2000), The Karate Kid (2010); Honorary Academy Award (2016) — first Chinese actor.

The Family's Roots: A Chinese Refugee Family in Hong Kong

Parents fled mainland China civil war; worked as domestic staff at French embassy in Hong Kong.

His Parents

Father: Charles Chan (Fang Daolong) (1915–2008) — French embassy cook.

Mother: Lee-Lee Chan (Chen Yuerong) (1916–2002) — French embassy housekeeper.

His Half-Brothers (from father's first marriage in China)

Fang Shide and Fang Shengsheng — Jackie discovered them in 2001 when father revealed his past.

His Half-Sister (from mother's first marriage)

Guilan Chen — half-sister; found in 2003.

His Wife: Joan Lin

Lin Feng-chiao (Joan Lin), born 30 June 1953 — Taiwanese actress. Married Jackie on 1 December 1982 in California (secret wedding).

Their Son

Jaycee Chan (Chan Cho-ming), born 3 December 1982 — Hong Kong actor/singer.

His Daughter (extramarital)

Etta Ng Chok Lam, born 19 January 1999 — daughter with Hong Kong actress Elaine Ng Yi-lei; Jackie has not publicly acknowledged her.

The Chan Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Charles Chan (1915–2008) — French embassy cook.

Mother: Lee-Lee Chan (1916–2002) — housekeeper.

Half-Brothers: Fang Shide; Fang Shengsheng.

Half-Sister: Guilan Chen.

Wife: Joan Lin (b. 30 June 1953; m. 1 December 1982).

Son: Jaycee Chan (b. 3 December 1982).

Extramarital Daughter: Etta Ng (b. 19 January 1999) — never acknowledged.

Jackie Chan:

  • Born 7 April 1954, Hong Kong
  • China Drama Academy (Peking Opera School) 1961-71 — brutal 10-year training with "Seven Little Fortunes" including Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao
  • Stuntman/extra late 1960s+; Bruce Lee's Fist of Fury stuntman (1972)
  • Snake in the Eagle's Shadow (1978) — breakthrough
  • 200+ films; Guinness World Record: most stunts by a living actor
  • Honorary Academy Award: 2016

What the Chan Family Story Teaches Us

Chinese-refugee parents working as embassy domestic staff. Half-siblings from parents' earlier marriages in China. A wife of 42 years (kept secret at first). One acknowledged son (also an actor). An unacknowledged daughter. A career from Peking Opera School's brutal 10-year training to Hollywood.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Jackie story carries the same lesson. Some careers cross Peking Opera trainee at 7 to the first Chinese Honorary Oscar.

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