Jackie Chan’s real life was nothing like his reel life. Hailing from a humble household, Chan never knew what luxury is. In fact, during those 10 years in the Chinese Drama Academy (CDA), he had to live a very austere life. Nevertheless, that life taught him the values of relationships, money, and of course, time.
In his memoir, where Chan recorded all the nooks and crannies of his life, he profoundly talked about his parents’ contributions. Sharing an anecdote, the superstar stated how his parents once gave him a gift from all the money they accumulated throughout the decade. That gift worth $5,000 was priceless to the 17-year-old boy who still kept it in his possession.
Jackie Chan’s parents’ unconditional love for their superstar son
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Chan who had entered the CDA at 7, felt joyful to complete his restricted days when he turned 17.? Sharing the story in his autobiography, Never Grow Up, the kung fu star recounted the surprise he received from his father. Significantly, after the academy, his father wanted Jackie to move out to Australia with them. But the martial artist was reluctant to go, though he couldn’t disclose the reason to his father.
Apparently, the teenager was head over heels in love with one of his senior schoolmates, whom he didn’t want to leave. Instead, the “suddenly free” boy informed his father that he wanted to try his luck in movies while staying in Hong Kong. His father agreed after a while and planned to buy him an apartment.
Notably, Chan’s father bought him, “A small apartment in San Po Kong for about $40,000 Hong Kong dollars, about $5,000.” The soon-to-be actor didn’t envision this. Although he was very happy to get a room of his own, soon he learned that the house was bought from, “what my parents had saved in tips and wages over ten years at their grueling jobs.”
Interestingly, the $400 million worth superstar still owns that apartment. The reason, as he put it, was all the hard-earned money of his parents, and the memories of Chan struggling to get a chance after spending years in CDA.
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Chan’s life at the Chinese Drama Academy
A decade in the academy indeed had a wholesome impact on the martial artist. It did not only teach him skills like martial arts, acting, and dancing, but it also made him disciplined. In his book, the maestro shared several anecdotes about his drama school, where they would get beaten almost every day.
In fact, the students had to sleep on the floor and had to do the chores on their own. The hardships he had to face there, helped Chan evolve from lying on the floor to owning an apartment and to creating a never-ending legacy. Being the embodiment of humble nature and fortitude, Jackie Chan still keeps his feet on the earth, teaching others to be kind.
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