Jackie Chan Through The Years: Photos Of The Martial Arts Icon & Actor In Honor Of His Birthday

By:

April 7, 2023 10:00AM EDT

Happy birthday Jackie Chan! Jackie is an international sensation & you can check out photos of the Hong Kong-born star and his evolution through the years here.

1 of 25

Jackie Chan: Through The Years

Jackie Chan: Through The Years — Jackie Chan, born Chan Kong-sang on Apr. 7, 1954 in Hong Kong, is a Chinese action action and martial artist. The international star began his acting career in th 60s and has since appeared in more than 150 films. Notable releases include ‘Rush Hour’, ‘Police Story’, ‘Drunken Master’, ‘Rumble In The Bronx’, and ‘The Spy Next Door’, among others.

Jackie is a father of two who has been married to Tawaineese actress Joan Lin since 1982. They endured minor scandal when he fathered a child after an affair with a Hong Kong actress Elaine Ng Yi-Lei in 1999. Though he publicly acknowledged his infidelity, Jackie said he “only committed a fault that many men in the world commit”.

Here, Jackie Chan trains in a portrait from 1980. He was so young!

Want to see how Jackie has evolved over the years? See photos of the martial arts star from when he was young to now here.

2 of 25

‘Thunderbolt’

‘Thunderbolt’ — Fighting spirit! Jackie Chan appears in 1995’s ‘Thunderbolt’.

3 of 25

Jackie Chan At Hollywood’s Chinese Theater

Jackie Chan At Hollywood’s Chinese Theater — Jackie Chan shows off his wet hands after immortalizing them in cement outside Mann’s Chinese Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. It was 1997.

4 of 25

Jackie Chan In 2003

Jackie Chan In 2003 — Happy to be there! Jackie Chan smiles while attending the BRIT Awards in London on Feb 20, 2003.

5 of 25

Jackie Chan At Cannes 2003

Jackie Chan At Cannes 2003 — Jackie Chan flashes double peace signs while promoting his movie ‘Around The World In 80 Days’ at Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2003. His hair wasuncharacteristically long.

6 of 25

Jackie Chan At The Premiere Of ‘Around The World In 80 Days’

Jackie Chan At The Premiere Of ‘Around The World In 80 Days’ — Jackie Chan waves at fans at the LA premiere of ‘Around The World In 80 Days’ on Jun. 13, 2004. His white outfit was so summer-chic.

7 of 25

Jackie Chan In 2005

Jackie Chan In 2005 — Jackie Chan takes the stage during the Force Of Nature Tsunami Benefit Concert in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in Mar. of 2005. He wore a white suit with little red cutouts.

8 of 25

Jackie Chan At Cannes 2005

Jackie Chan At Cannes 2005 — Jackie Chan gives a wave at the 58th Annual Cannes Film Festival in 2005. He was promoting the movie ‘The Myth’.

9 of 25

Jackie Chan In Germany

Jackie Chan In Germany — Jackie Chan makes some moves while at a photocall for his film ‘New Police Story’ in Colonge, Germany on Oct. 10, 2005. His white ensemble looked sharp.

10 of 25

Jackie Chan Promotes ‘New Police Story’

Jackie Chan Promotes ‘New Police Story’ — Jackie Chan is the center of attention at a photocall for his film ‘New Police Story’. Ever the entertainer, he posed up a storm for the photographers.

11 of 25

Jackie Chan At The China Grand Prix

Jackie Chan At The China Grand Prix — Revving engines! Jackie Chan attends the Chinese Grand Prix at a Shanghai-area F1 track on Oct. 16, 2005.

12 of 25

Jackie Chan Promotes ‘Rob-B-Hood’

Jackie Chan Promotes ‘Rob-B-Hood’ — Jackie Chan promotes his film ‘Rob-B-Hood’ at the 63rd Venice Film Festival in Italy on Sep. 7, 2006.

13 of 25

Jackie Chan Dons A Dodgers Jersey

Jackie Chan Dons A Dodgers Jersey — Play ball! Jackie Chan looks on from the dugout prior to throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Major League Baseball game against the San Diego Padres.

14 of 25

Jackie Chan In Beijing

Jackie Chan In Beijing — Jackie Chan poses with two tiger toys during a ceremony to launch a tiger protection project with WildAid in Beijing, China. The project will raise public awareness to protect the endangered tiger species.

15 of 25

Jackie Chan Promotes ‘The Karate Kid’

Jackie Chan Promotes ‘The Karate Kid’ — Jackie Chan looks tough at a Beverly Hills photocall for ‘The Karate Kid’ on Jun. 8, 2010. The remake of the 80s classic also starred Jaden Smith.

16 of 25

Jackie Chan At The Premiere Of ‘The Karate Kid’

Jackie Chan At The Premiere Of ‘The Karate Kid’ — Red carpet time! Jackie Chan celebrates the London premiere of ‘The Karate Kid’ on Jul. 15, 2010.

17 of 25

Jackie Chan At Cannes 2012

Jackie Chan At Cannes 2012 — Here’s looking at you! Jackie Chan poses for portraits at the American Pavilion during the 65th International Cannes Film Festival in 2012.

18 of 25

Jackie Chan At The Taiwan Golden Horse Awards

Jackie Chan At The Taiwan Golden Horse Awards — Jackie Chan smiles as he arrives at the 49th Golden Horse Awards at the Luodong Cultural Working House in Yilan County, Taiwan. Chan is a guest at this year’s Golden Horse Awards, one of the Chinese-language film industry’s biggest annual events
Taiwan Golden Horse Awards.

19 of 25

Jackie Chan Promotes ‘Skiptrace’

Jackie Chan Promotes ‘Skiptrace’ — Jackie Chan holds some panda plushies at the Cannes Film Festival photocall for ‘Skiptrace’ on May 16, 2013. He is passionate about his animal conservation efforts.

20 of 25

Jackie Chan In 2013

Jackie Chan In 2013 — Twice as nice! Jackie Chan enjoys his 2nd Hollywood Hand and Footprint Ceremony at TCL’s Chinese Theater (formerly Mann’s) on Jun. 6, 2013. He was originally honored in 1997.

21 of 25

Jackie Chan In 2015

Jackie Chan In 2015 — Jackie Chan carries his beloved panda toys at the closing ceremony of 5th Beijing International Film Festival in China on Apr. 23, 2015. He’s long been advocated on behalf of the endangered species.

22 of 25

Jackie Chan At The 2016 Governors Awards

Jackie Chan At The 2016 Governors Awards — Honored. Jackie Chan poses onstage at the 2016 Governors Awards at the Dolby Ballroom in Los Angeles.

23 of 25

Jackie Chan Promotes His Book ‘Never Grow Up’

Jackie Chan Promotes His Book ‘Never Grow Up’ — Bookworm! Jackie Chan signs his book ‘Never Grow Up’ at a New York Barnes & Noble on Jan. 22, 2019.

24 of 25

Jackie Chan At 2020 Paris Fashion Week

Jackie Chan At 2020 Paris Fashion Week — Looking good! Jackie Chan embraces his stylish side at Li-Ning’s A utumn Winter 2020show during Men’s Paris Fashion Week on Jan. 18, 2020.

25 of 25

Jackie Chan Carries The Olympic Torch

Jackie Chan Carries The Olympic Torch — Jackie Chan beams with pride while carrying the Olympic torch during the relay kick-off on Feb. 2, 2022. The games took place from Feb. 4, 2022 to Feb. 20, 2022.

Click to Subscribe to Get Our Free HollywoodLife Daily Newsletter to get the hottest celeb news.