Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan was born on the 7th of April 1954 and is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, scriptwriter and stunt performer. He began his career by appearing in small roles at the age of five. His first major role was when he appeared in Big and Little Wong Tin Bar in 1962 at the age of eight, and acted in a number of small roles following this. In 1971 at the age of 17, he acted as a stuntman in the Bruce Lee films Fist of Fury and Enter the Dragon. Chan’s first major breakthrough was the 1978 film Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow. Jackie Chan broke into Hollywood in 1995 when he was cast in the 1995 film Rumble in the Bronx, which later led to his role in Rush Hour.
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Engagement in Cultural Diplomacy[edit]
Jackie Chan is seen as a cultural icon in China. The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference has appointed Jackie Chan in their quest to unite Hong Kong and mainland China. Chan has spoken out in support of a united front between the two sides. In 2008 he performed at the Summer Olympics closing ceremony in Beijing. Jackie Chan officially opened the Jackie Chan museum in 2008 which displays a collection of his film props and other special objects from his 40 years in the entertainment industry.
Humanitarian Causes[edit]
Jackie Chan has always strived to commit to charitable donations. Having not received a proper education, Chan was inspired to fund educational institutions around the world such as the construction of the Jackie Chan Science Centre at the Australian National University and the creation of schools of poor regions throughout China. He founded the Jackie Chan Foundation in 1988 which offers scholarships and help to the youth in Hong Kong, provides disaster relief, education and healthcare. The Dragon’s Heart Foundation was founded by Jackie Chan in 2005 to fulfil the needs of children and the elderly in remote areas in China, it has built more than a dozen schools and has raised millions of dollars to provide educational opportunities to the poor.
Philanthropic Donations[edit]
A percentage of his profits from all his private businesses goes to various charities including the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation, which he founded in 1988. He is a UNICEF/ UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador and campaigns against animal cruelty, and has promoted conservation, disaster relief efforts. Following the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, he donated RMB ¥10 Million to the cause.
