Jackie Chan

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There are over one billion people living in China and a large percent of them live in poverty, the only way to get out of poverty is to work hard and persevere. Jackie Chan did exactly that, he took the kung fu his father taught him and started doing stunts in kung fu movies and that led to him being an international superstar. Jackie Chan was born on April 7, 1954 in Hong Kong, China, and his birth name was Chan Kong-seng (born in Hong Kong). Both of his parents worked at the French embassy and were not paid very well, so they were very poor. Jackie's dad, Charles, taught him Kung Fu to teach him character, little did he know Jackie would use this talent to become a kung fu superstar. Now Jackie Chan still stars in movies, he sings, and he is one of China's biggest philanthropists. Jackie Chan is a very inspirational person because he overcame poverty by working hard, he gives back to the Chinese people, and he is a multi-talented person.

If Chan had given up on his Kung Fu he would not be the man he is today, his hard work and perseverance are what brought him to where he is today. In a short biography about Jackie Chan it gives you an idea of how poor the Chan family was, "Jackie Chan came from a poverty-stricken Hong Kong family -- so poor, claims Chan, that he was almost sold in infancy to a wealthy British couple." The Chan family was so desperate for money they almost sold their only child, but Charles Chan knew Jackie was different, he was born at twelve pounds and always appeared very strong. According to the Encyclopedia of World Biography, Chan stayed in Hong Kong when his parents moved to Australia and was enrolled in a boarding school, "Chan studied traditional Chinese opera, a mix of singing, stagecraft, martial arts, and difficult acrobatics. Chan had to get up in the morning at 5 a.m., often working until midnight. Errors were punished with physical abuse." (Encyclopedia of World Biography) Chan's parents left him in Hong Kong so his dad could take a better job in Australia and support him in school, even though Chan wanted to quit he stuck with it and even as a student appeared in films. From almost being sold as a baby, to be shipped off to boarding school, Jackie's childhood was not fun and games, it was hard work and perseverance.

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Jackie is currently an international superstar and he feels he needs to share some of that wealth with the people of China. In a news article about Jackie it mentions him opening up an eye care center for children in China, "The Hong Kong superstar Jackie Chan came to West China Hospital to unveil the 'World Eye Organization Jackie Chan Children's Eye Centre of West China Hospital of Sichuan University'" (Newswire). Jackie Chan is using his money to better the people from the country where he was born. Jackie also has many other organizations centered on helping kids because he knows he had it tough as a kid and doesn't want to have other kids to have to go through that. "Chan also began to devote time to humanitarian activities, serving as an ambassador for the UNICEF/UNAIDS children's organization."(Encyclopedia of World Biography) Chan began working for many different organizations to help kids in poverty, giving them toys, food, clean water. Chan deeply cares about these organizations and inspires people to do the same.

Multi-talented people are able to have many occupations in life, and Jackie Chan can sing, act, and is a skilled martial artist. Since he was seven years old Chan has been practicing martial arts and acting. "Studied singing, acting and various martial arts at China Drama Academy, 1961-71; performed as a stuntman in movies starring Bruce Lee, 1976-78; starred in series of unsuccessful kung fu movies, 1976-78; claimed first fame in Asia with starring roles, 1978; joined Golden Harvest movie studio, 1979; attended English language school in Beverly Hills, CA, 1980-82; signed three-picture deal with Hollywood movie house, New Line Cinema, 1995." (Gale). Chan's studies at the China Drama Academy led him to become a movie star, but he had to start as just being a stuntman and evolve into the star. He has appeared in over 120 movies and has several albums that are performed in Chinese. Chan didn’t stop at being only a media man he started putting his name on many products. “Chan diversified beyond direct involvement with films, opening a string of restaurants in Southeast Asia (and one in Honolulu, Jackie's Kitchen). He also attached his name to lines of shoes, clothes, golf clubs, skin-care products, and table tennis balls. He considered the idea of opening a school for aspiring stunt specialists.” (Encyclopedia of World Biography). Chan knew he had what it took to expand his name and become a household name around the world. This expansion to his industry not only benefits him, but it also benefits all the charities Chan supports as well.

Jackie Chan is the three things a hero should be; hard working, a philanthropist, and multi talented. Jackie donates thousands of dollars to help children in China. He overcame poverty and became an international super star, and he is an actor singer, and martial artist. Jackie inspires people to realize you don't always leave the world the way you came in, and that you can overcome anything and achieve greatness. Jackie Chan is a huge inspiration to people everywhere.

Works Consulted

Leous, Gus. "Jackie Chan: A Short Biography! Presented in Arts Section." Newsfinder E-magazine: A Literary Favour to World Culture. News Finder, 04 Mar. 2003. Web. 9 May 2011. http://www.newsfinder.org/site/more/jackie_chan_a_short_biography/.
Ratiner, Tracey. "Jackie Chan." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2nd ed. 2007. Web. 6 May 2011.
"China's First 'Jackie Chan Children's Eye Center' Set up at West China Hospital." PR Newswire 3 Dec. 2010. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 12 May 2011.
"Jackie Chan." Newsmakers. Detroit: Gale, 1996. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 2 May. 2011