In a revelation that mirrors the thrilling plots of his own movies, Jackie Chan discovers his father‘s secret life as spy for the Chinese government, decades after rising to global fame. The martial arts icon and actor shared this family revelation during a recent retrospective, recalling the moment he learned about his father’s espionage history and hidden identity in Hong Kong.
Family Secrets Revealed Later in Life
Jackie Chan, now 71, spoke about learning of his father Charles Chan’s shadowy past only in his forties. During a drive together, Charles disclosed a lifelong secret to his son about his work with the Chinese government in the 1940s, leaving Chan shocked. The conversation also revealed that their family name was originally Fong.
“One day, I was driving a car, my father suddenly said, ‘Son, I’m old. I might sleep and never wake up. I have a secret to tell you,”
—Chan recalled.
This deeply personal story is also the focus of Mabel Cheung’s 2003 documentary, Traces of the Dragon: Jackie Chan and His Lost Family. The film investigates Charles Chan’s role as a spy for Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) party during the tumultuous 1930s and 1940s, detailing his eventual escape to Hong Kong in the 1950s to avoid the advancing Communists. These revelations present a complex and dramatic backdrop to Chan’s family story, with key figures such as Chiang Kai-shek and the KMT party influencing the course of their lives.
Colorful Histories on Both Sides of the Family
Jackie Chan’s mother, also featured in these reflections, led a remarkable and risky life herself. Before moving to Hong Kong, she performed on stage in Shanghai and was reportedly involved in opium smuggling—an aspect that added to her reputation as a traditional but resourceful woman. Although she always supported Chan’s foray into film, she found it difficult to watch him performing dangerous action scenes. In the retrospective, Chan described his mother as very traditional, recalling how her concern kept her from viewing his entire films.
“My mom never watched my whole movies,”
—Chan shared.
“As soon as I’m doing a stunt, she’d turn around.”
—Chan
Jackie Chan’s Path to Stardom
Chan described himself as a mischievous child who got into fights, prompting a family friend to suggest that martial arts training might offer better discipline and direction. This advice proved pivotal as his skills in martial arts set the stage for his future acting career. After achieving recognition across Asia, Jackie Chan became widely known in the West with his 1995 performance in Rumble in the Bronx, portraying a Hong Kong policeman in a tangle with a local street gang while attending his nephew‘s wedding in New York.
International fame followed when he co-starred with Chris Tucker in the Rush Hour buddy cop franchise, bringing comedic chemistry and action-packed sequences to audiences worldwide. Other key roles cemented his legacy as one of the most dynamic and beloved action stars in cinema.
Continuing Legacy and Family Impact
Today, Chan can be seen once again in theaters, starring in Karate Kid: Legends, a return to the franchise that introduced his talents to new generations. As Chan continues to build his legacy in both Eastern and Western cinema, the impact of his family’s dramatic history—interwoven with espionage, political turmoil, and survival—casts a fascinating light on the man behind the martial arts legend. The unexpected discoveries about his parents not only shaped his personal identity but also deepened public interest in his life story and the broader cultural history surrounding Hong Kong’s transformation.
