The legend of world cinema Jackie Chan has won the hearts of millions of fans with his astonishing stunts and sincere smile. However, behind his bright film career lies a life path that was even more complicated than the fighting scenes on screen. Over the years, the actor’s family relationships, especially those related to his children, have always been the focus of media attention.
The actor lived with former Taiwanese actress Lin Feng‑Shao for more than 40 years. They married in 1982 (according to some sources — in 1983). In that same year their son Chan Zumin was born. Later he became known in the arts as Jaycee Chan. However, Jackie Chan proposed marriage only after he learned that she was pregnant.
Years later, in the late 1990s, the actor found himself at the center of a sensational scandal: it became known that he had romantic relations with actress Elaine Wu Chee‑Lee. In 1999, from those relations, his daughter Etta Wu Cholin was born. Although the actor recognised paternity only after a genetic test, he barely took part in her upbringing and life.
Jackie Chan’s children
Today Jackie Chan has two children: his son Jaycee Chan born from official marriage and his daughter Etta Wu born from an extramarital relationship. The actor’s relationships with both children were quite complex. Interestingly, despite their father’s vast wealth, the children did not receive financial help from him and always lived independently.
Jaycee Chan
Jaycee Chan (real name Chan Zumin) was born in December 1982 in Los Angeles. His childhood was fundamentally different from other celebrity children: to avoid security and excessive attention, he was even forbidden to mention his father’s name.
Jaycee’s adolescence was spent between Hong Kong and the USA. He studied at a private school in California, then entered college in Virginia. Soon he lost interest in studies and chose a creative path. In 2004 he debuted in the film “Huadu Annals: Thorn of the Rose,” which the audience warmly received. He also succeeded in music, and his first album earned awards.
However, Jaycee’s life changed dramatically in 2014. He was accused of possessing illegal drugs and spent several months in prison. After this event, Jackie Chan publicly apologised for failing to give his son a proper upbringing. Shortly after, the actor removed his son from the will and announced that he would spend his fortune on charity. According to him, Jaycee must find his own path.
The relationship between father and son remained difficult for many years. Jaycee had to live under the shadow of a famous name since childhood. After gaining freedom, Jackie Chan tried to establish communication, but did not change his decisions regarding inheritance. Now there is no dispute between them, but their relationship cannot be called close.
Etta Wu Cholin
Etta Wu was born in 1999, and her life has been full of contradictions since childhood. Her mother Elaine Wu’s inclination to alcohol and difficult character negatively affected her childhood. Because of this she was taken under the supervision of social services several times. Jackie Chan refused to recognise his daughter for a long time, and even after confirmation of kinship he was not interested in her life.
During adolescence, Etta experienced severe psychological depression. In 2017 she completely severed her relationship with her mother. Later she went to the USA and tried to establish contact with her father, but Jackie did not accept her. At that time Etta said on social media that she was in material hardship and even had to live under bridges.
In 2023, when the film “Kung‑fu Stallion” was released, touching scenes between Jackie Chan and his “on‑screen daughter” made many cry. But in real life it was the opposite: while the actor displayed “father‑daughter” affection with another actress, his real daughter still remains outside attention.
Where are Jackie Chan’s children now?
Currently Jaycee Chan leads a private life and rarely appears in public. News about him is very rare in the press. Although communication with his father is maintained, they cannot be called close people.
Even less is known about Etta Wu. Some sources say there is some contact between father and daughter, but Jackie Chan has not given a single official statement on this matter.
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