HONG KONG - Jackie Chan's wife Lin Feng-jiao supported him when news broke out in 1999 that he had made actress Elaine Ng pregnant, the actor says.
In a forthcoming book about his life, the megastar recounts what the former actress told him when he phoned her to try to explain.
"You don't need to explain," she told him, as Chan describes in Jackie Chan: Never Grow Up, Only Get Older, an autobiography which is being published this month in China.
"Don't go and harm others and don't let others harm us. At any time, as long as you need me and our son, we can immediately stand up for you. I know you're stressed. I'm alright. Never mind about me, go and handle your things," she added.
Chan, 60, says he wept after hearing this, Ming Pao Daily News reported, citing stories in the Chinese media.
Two days later, he apologised at a family meeting but Lin did not utter a word.
He then changed his will to give all his assets to her. "We now treasure each other more and more. We are forever family," he says, adding that, at one time, he thought she was after him for his money.
He also describes their hush-hush quickie wedding in a Los Angeles coffee shop cubicle.
"It was still noisy and people can be heard next door talking. The pastor asked, 'Are you willing..? We nodded our heads. It was over and done with, just like this," he recalls.
Lin was then heavily pregnant with their son Jaycee Chan, now 32. Chan had sent her to the United States to await the birth and to keep the pregnancy a secret.
He also talks about his romance with songbird Teresa Teng, saying it was right to split up with her because of their character differences.
He recalls an incident when the late singer came to visit while he was discussing a script with his gang.
He told her to sit while he continued with the discussion. She sat in a corner for an hour before deciding to leave.
Soon after, she phoned and said: "Jackie, it looks like you don't need me. So do stay with your buddies."
Beijing - Jackie Chan says he thought divorce would happen when his affair with actress Elaine Ng became news in 1999.
In an autobiography out next month, the action star revealed that, when scandalous reports came out that Ng was pregnant with his child, he did not know how to approach his wife, former actress Lin Feng-jiao, about it.
"The news reports then were explosive. I wanted to phone [Lin] but I did not know what I should say. There was no way I could explain," he recalls in the book, whose Chinese title translates as Jackie Chan: Never Grow Up, Only Get Older.
"An apology alone would not undo the mistake. Later, I thought - don't explain, just divorce. I committed such a big error. It will definitely be a divorce."
Chan in 1999 later admitted to reporters he had committed a "mistake men around the world will have made". But he remained with Lin who appeared to have forgiven him. Ng gave birth to daughter Etta Ng, who is now 15.
The book is compiled from life stories Chan said he told his friend Zhu Mo, whose job is to follow him around to capture the goings-on in his life and write his Weibo postings.
It was Zhu who suggested putting stories that could not go on Weibo into a book. The three-year effort will be published in April when Chan turns 61.
The book also talks about his parents, Lin, their son Jaycee and his rumoured old love, the late singer Teresa Teng.
On Jaycee, who served time for a drug offence in Beijing this year, Chan says he also made mistakes in his youth but one just needs to turn over a new leaf.
"After that, you should become like a real man, and stand strong by yourself to face all that you need to face," he says in the book.
The multi-millionaire also mentions his antiques and other precious collectibles stored in eight warehouses, some of which he has donated. He says his son does not want any of them, except for a painting by Chinese painter Xu Beihong.
On Weibo last week, Chan, who grew up training in martial arts and Beijing opera, said he could not believe he could write a book because of his background.
"I'm not good with words and am often misunderstood. Rather than let others talk about my past, why not say it myself, so that people can find the real me through the book," he said.
Jackie Chan has done a lot of insane, death-baiting stunts in movies. He’d fallen from a clock tower, slid down a 21-story skyscraper, jumped down a multi-story vertical pole decked with Christmas lights, and dangled mid-air from a rope ladder off a chopper.
No offence, Daredevil, JC is the man without fear. But Chan is afraid of one thing: needles. Yes, needles. Which is funny considering the number of times he’d been hospitalised for the injuries sustained in the abovementioned stunts. That is one of many fascinating revelations in Chan’s memoir Never Grow Up, which is translated into English from the Chinese version that came out a few years ago.
In the book, Chan, 64, reflects on his days of being wild and reckless, old lovers, parenting skills, co-stars, fans, and encounters with Hollywood royalty. It also includes contributions by Zhu Mo, a longtime friend of Chan's. Closer to home, there’s a chapter devoted to the four Chinese antique buildings he donated to NTU. Here, we pick out five interesting anecdotes.
- In an unpublished interview the Hong Kong actor talks about extending his range to more dramatic roles in film such as Mr Canton and Lady Rose, and Crime Story
- He also offers a definition of a Jackie Chan film: happy-go-lucky, with ‘a good guy and a bad guy’ and at the end ‘you leave the cinema with a good feeling’
Jackie Chan talks about studying the stunt choreographer on his early films as a lowly stuntman, moving up to the role aged 18, learning fast and, while still a teenager, arranging fight sequences for John Woo.
Jackie Chan talks about studying the stunt choreographer on his early films as a lowly stuntman, moving up to the role aged 18, learning fast and, while still a teenager, arranging fight sequences for John Woo.
Jackie Chan and Chang Cheh were two of the farsighted men behind the camera on martial arts films who understood the future of Hong Kong cinema at different times and acted on their hunches.
Jackie Chan and Chang Cheh were two of the farsighted men behind the camera on martial arts films who understood the future of Hong Kong cinema at different times and acted on their hunches.
From Jackie Chan and Chow Yun-fat in My Lucky Stars to Fat Choi Spirit starring Andy Lau, this is STYLE’s pick of the best family favourites to rewatch this LNY holiday
From Jackie Chan and Chow Yun-fat in My Lucky Stars to Fat Choi Spirit starring Andy Lau, this is STYLE’s pick of the best family favourites to rewatch this LNY holiday
Jackie Chan, who was chosen over Donnie Yen, Andy Lau and Chow Yun-fat for the role of a father hunting his daughter’s killers, showed a darker side than usual.
Jackie Chan, who was chosen over Donnie Yen, Andy Lau and Chow Yun-fat for the role of a father hunting his daughter’s killers, showed a darker side than usual.
Jackie Chan had big plans for his movie career, but his first foray into Hollywood, to make The Big Brawl and The Cannonball Run, didn’t win him many fans and forced a rethink.
Jackie Chan had big plans for his movie career, but his first foray into Hollywood, to make The Big Brawl and The Cannonball Run, didn’t win him many fans and forced a rethink.
The In the Mood for Love actress didn’t go looking for roles in martial arts films, but when she did take them she excelled, notably in Hero with Jet Li and Tony Leung Chiu-wai and in Wong Kar-wai’s Ashes of Time.
The In the Mood for Love actress didn’t go looking for roles in martial arts films, but when she did take them she excelled, notably in Hero with Jet Li and Tony Leung Chiu-wai and in Wong Kar-wai’s Ashes of Time.
Jackie Chan talking about Bruce Lee, the Squid Game phenomenon, how to sleep better and live healthier –stories about all these were among the most read from the Post’s culture and lifestyle pages in 2021.
Jackie Chan talking about Bruce Lee, the Squid Game phenomenon, how to sleep better and live healthier –stories about all these were among the most read from the Post’s culture and lifestyle pages in 2021.
From Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Zhang Ziyi in Wong Kar-wai’s The Grandmaster to Jackie Chan in Police Story and Gordon Liu in Dirty Ho, a look back at some of the great Hong Kong martial arts movies.
From Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Zhang Ziyi in Wong Kar-wai’s The Grandmaster to Jackie Chan in Police Story and Gordon Liu in Dirty Ho, a look back at some of the great Hong Kong martial arts movies.
Bruce Lee’s sudden death bred many conspiracy theories, among them that triads or Chinese gangs had ordered a hit on him, and even a curse. Letters referring to alleged drug use have rekindled speculation.
Bruce Lee’s sudden death bred many conspiracy theories, among them that triads or Chinese gangs had ordered a hit on him, and even a curse. Letters referring to alleged drug use have rekindled speculation.
Michelle Yeoh’s stunt work in Police Story 3: Supercop was so impressive that Jackie Chan said he had to think of more dangerous scenes for himself so that she did not eclipse him.
Michelle Yeoh’s stunt work in Police Story 3: Supercop was so impressive that Jackie Chan said he had to think of more dangerous scenes for himself so that she did not eclipse him.
‘A magical land,’ Dre Parker’s mother Sherry calls China in The Karate Kid remake, and the movie does it best to bear that out, from the Forbidden City to the Wudang mountains. Even the traffic jams look orderly.
‘A magical land,’ Dre Parker’s mother Sherry calls China in The Karate Kid remake, and the movie does it best to bear that out, from the Forbidden City to the Wudang mountains. Even the traffic jams look orderly.
Featuring interviews with stars including Donnie Yen and Sammo Hung, new film Kung Fu Stuntmen is a tribute to the brave, unsung heroes of Hong Kong action movies.
Featuring interviews with stars including Donnie Yen and Sammo Hung, new film Kung Fu Stuntmen is a tribute to the brave, unsung heroes of Hong Kong action movies.
With Louis Koo set to play her stylist and Terence Lau Leslie Cheung, upcoming biopic Anita promises to show us who the Canto-pop star really was – some of her rarer TV appearances offer a glimpse too
With Louis Koo set to play her stylist and Terence Lau Leslie Cheung, upcoming biopic Anita promises to show us who the Canto-pop star really was – some of her rarer TV appearances offer a glimpse too
Martial arts star Jackie Chan, in a previously unpublished 1997 Post interview, reveals how seeing himself in Bruce Lee film Fist of Fury made him realise ‘I wanted to be a star myself’.
Martial arts star Jackie Chan, in a previously unpublished 1997 Post interview, reveals how seeing himself in Bruce Lee film Fist of Fury made him realise ‘I wanted to be a star myself’.
The Australian martial arts actor worked on Shanghai Noon and Wonder Woman, and his work will soon be seen in upcoming Marvel film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
The Australian martial arts actor worked on Shanghai Noon and Wonder Woman, and his work will soon be seen in upcoming Marvel film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Debut single Fly Up High sees Skyle’s four members rocking gold chokers, tiaras and even dancing on thrones – could they seriously be eyeing Blackpink’s crown already?
Debut single Fly Up High sees Skyle’s four members rocking gold chokers, tiaras and even dancing on thrones – could they seriously be eyeing Blackpink’s crown already?
This year’s virtual Comic-Con opened with the much-anticipated ‘Unmasking Snake Eyes’ session – so what did we find out about the historic Asian cast-led martial arts prequel?
This year’s virtual Comic-Con opened with the much-anticipated ‘Unmasking Snake Eyes’ session – so what did we find out about the historic Asian cast-led martial arts prequel?
It’s been 48 years since the martial arts icon suddenly died, but the conspiracy theories are as enduring as his legacy – from triads to a jealous lover, who or what really killed Bruce Lee?
It’s been 48 years since the martial arts icon suddenly died, but the conspiracy theories are as enduring as his legacy – from triads to a jealous lover, who or what really killed Bruce Lee?
Dubbed a modern-day, female Bruce Lee, the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny actress talks stand-out martial arts scenes from the 1970s to today
Dubbed a modern-day, female Bruce Lee, the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny actress talks stand-out martial arts scenes from the 1970s to today
To mainlanders, the admirer of the Communist Party is immoral because he once had an affair; fans outside China accuse him of being pro-Beijing for commercial reasons.
To mainlanders, the admirer of the Communist Party is immoral because he once had an affair; fans outside China accuse him of being pro-Beijing for commercial reasons.
He trained the future ‘Three Dragons’ of Hong Kong’s kung fu cinema and even took in Jackie Chan as his godson – so why haven’t you heard of Yu Jim-yuen?
He trained the future ‘Three Dragons’ of Hong Kong’s kung fu cinema and even took in Jackie Chan as his godson – so why haven’t you heard of Yu Jim-yuen?
Bruce Lee’s beliefs and influences have been well documented. Over the years, Jackie Chan, Wong Kar-wai and others in the martial arts community have offered insights into the man behind the myth.
Bruce Lee’s beliefs and influences have been well documented. Over the years, Jackie Chan, Wong Kar-wai and others in the martial arts community have offered insights into the man behind the myth.
Members of the stunt teams formed by Jackie Chan and Yuen Woo-ping helped them make martial arts movies such as Drunken Master and the Police Story series.
Members of the stunt teams formed by Jackie Chan and Yuen Woo-ping helped them make martial arts movies such as Drunken Master and the Police Story series.
Netflix’s new animated adventure Wish Dragon stars Jimmy Wong in the lead role – the Mulan actor tells STYLE why not being ‘seen’ on screen suits him just fine this time
Netflix’s new animated adventure Wish Dragon stars Jimmy Wong in the lead role – the Mulan actor tells STYLE why not being ‘seen’ on screen suits him just fine this time
Big names like Bruce Willis, Jackie Chan, Charlie Sheen and Sylvester Stallone attended the opening of Asia’s first Planet Hollywood outlet in 1994 in Hong Kong.
Big names like Bruce Willis, Jackie Chan, Charlie Sheen and Sylvester Stallone attended the opening of Asia’s first Planet Hollywood outlet in 1994 in Hong Kong.
Actors including Jackie Chan, Michael Hui, and Louis Koo, and production staff, have donated their time and skills to make this ensemble comedy to raise money for low-paid movie industry workers hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
Actors including Jackie Chan, Michael Hui, and Louis Koo, and production staff, have donated their time and skills to make this ensemble comedy to raise money for low-paid movie industry workers hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
How cult Hong Kong action hits like Police Story and Rumble in the Bronx led to the martial arts legend’s Hollywood payday with Chris Tucker
How cult Hong Kong action hits like Police Story and Rumble in the Bronx led to the martial arts legend’s Hollywood payday with Chris Tucker
The martial arts superstar was initially pitched as a Bruce Lee clone in films such as New Fist of Fury, but realised that ‘to succeed, I would have to be completely different to him’.
The martial arts superstar was initially pitched as a Bruce Lee clone in films such as New Fist of Fury, but realised that ‘to succeed, I would have to be completely different to him’.
Sammo Hung plays an ex-con going straight, and Jackie Chan a cop, in a trio of comedies that were box office hits in the 1980s. Ahead of their re-release in a box set, we look at what sets the movies apart.
Sammo Hung plays an ex-con going straight, and Jackie Chan a cop, in a trio of comedies that were box office hits in the 1980s. Ahead of their re-release in a box set, we look at what sets the movies apart.