Jackie Chan

How does one define a hero? There are many different criteria that characterize someone as a hero and therefore, there are various categories of them. One commonly used definition that defines a hero is one who has characteristics such as bravery, perseverance, and compassion. One of the many heroes that I think shows these characteristics is Jackie Chan. Chan was raised in a low income family, where his parents had a steady job, but were only able to make enough to survive. During his adolescent years, Chan was sent to an academy in China for the next 10 years and learned martial arts, acrobatics, singing, and acting. When he was 17 years old he graduated from the academy and was sent out into the real world to find a job. As time went on he played in small role parts in movies and moved his way up to fame. When Chan was 21 he met a man named Willie Chan, and little did Chan know that Willie would end up becoming his best friend and manager. Willie Chan took control of Jackie's career and as a result, Jackie ended up as a famous worldwide actor.

Jackie Chan exhibits many characteristics of a hero but one of them is his perseverance to never give up and keep on trying. Jackie was sent to a drama academy for several years, during his childhood. "Chan's parents enrolled him in the China Drama Academy where Jackie lived for the next 10 years of his life. It was a very harsh and difficult life but Jackie had nowhere else to go, so he stayed. He rarely saw his parents for many years." (http://jackiechan.com/biography) Jackie had a very hard and rough experience, but if it was not for the hardships that he had gone through, would he have been who he was today. Such perseverance showed how much he wanted to succeed and get somewhere in his life. When he graduated from the drama academy he moved on to find work. "He was forced to go to Australia to live with his parents. He worked in a restaurant and on a construction site.... Jackie was very unhappy in Australia. The construction work was difficult and boring" (http://jackiechan.com/biography). This shows that Jackie did what he had to do in order to survive and accomplish his goals. Little by little, Chan got his way up to fame and fortune, but not only did he strive to become famous and rich but he helped many others.

Another characteristic Jackie Chan exhibits is compassion for others and helping the poor. Jackie not only gives money to charity but goes to different countries to help them personally. “Jackie traveled to Tongren in the Guizhou province of China to bring much-needed water and supplies to the drought stricken area. As well as bringing along supplies, Jackie's mission was to increase morale among the people who have been suffering.” (http://jackiechan.com/charity/2008). Jackie Chan travels all over the world helping children that have nothing, giving them necessities to live. He wants to make sure children don’t go through what he did, a life of poverty with no help like when he was young. Furthermore he also gives helps children that were struck my natural disasters and other hardships.. “The Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation offers scholarships and active help to Hong Kong’s young people through a variety of worthy causes. Over the years, the foundation has broadened its scope to include provision of medical services, aid to victims of natural disaster or illness, and projects where the major beneficiaries are Hong Kong people or organizations.” (http://jackiechan.com/charity). Jackie Chan runs and has many charity organizations which gives kids hope. The charity also pays for the free services for the poor.

Jackie Chan did various acts that showed true character, but not only does he show great character is that he shows the aspects of a hero. Jackie Chan entertains and donates money and also goes around to cities in Asia to help those who are were suffering from poverty. Jackie Chan’s heroic personality inspires many others by setting a great example in helping the poor within those countries that were struck by disasters. Jackie Chan is an all together great man and great hero.

Works Consulted

N.p., n.d. Web. 14 May 2010. .

"Chan, Jackie." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Ed. Tracie Ratiner. 2nd ed. Vol. 27. Detroit: Gale, 2007. 81-83. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 14 May 2010.

Cerio, Gregory. "Feat of the feet: Jackie Chan, worldwide star, would like to kick his way into your heart." People Weekly 11 Mar. 1996: 57+. General Reference Center Gold. Web. 24 May 2010.

"Chan, Jackie (1954-)." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Vol. 27. Detroit: Gale, 2007. Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. DEL NORTE HIGH SCHOOL. 24 May. 2010