?Will Never Amount to Anything?: Jackie Chan Was Once Banished With Humiliating Words for Being a Martial Artist

A stuntman turned comedy-action superstar, Jackie Chan, has acted in over 150 films since the 1960s. He is famous for the unpredictable innovation and humor with which his action sequences are choreographed. The martial arts legend aspired to be a star since childhood. But it was a humiliating event that accelerated his pace with a strong resolve to prove his mettle.

Given his movies and cheerful personality, it?s hard to imagine Chan with a sad or disappointed face. In Chan?s autobiography, ?Never Grow Up,? he wrote about the agonizing pain he had as a result of the derogatory comments because the Oscar Awards recipient was a martial artist.

Jackie Chan was mortified by his ex-girlfriend?s father

Decades ago, a budding artist in Hong Kong fell head over heels in love with a girl. ?I?ll call her Chang,? he wrote in his book. 15-year-old Chan met her in Thailand where he went to perform upon invitation. She, too, was a Hong-Kong native and a year older than him. They acted together every day. It left Chan with mixed feelings of anxiety and delight.

When they were back in Hong Kong, they began dating seriously. Chan would plot ways to meet her despite his rigorous routine of finding day jobs in studios. He loved to make her laugh. Chan recounted the days, stating, ?Our days were incomparably wonderful . . .? But it saw a bitter end.

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?We kept our secret for years,? until they bumped into her father one day. Chang?s father was infuriated to learn about their relationship. When Chan said he was a stuntman, her father said right to his face, ?A martial artist will never amount to anything. Don?t you dare touch my daughter.?

Chan sobbed uncontrollably

The martial arts legend described the comments as harsher than the pain he endured on the set. ?The blow to my self-esteem felt much worse than being beaten by my master,? he lamented. He immediately burst into tears.

Chan had only one thing on his mind. He resolved to prove to Chang, her parents, and most importantly to himself, that he was not what they perceived him to be. The combat artist accepted every opportunity that came his way, even if it meant going out of Hong Kong.

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The Rush Hour star played several roles until he got his first success in his 1978 movie, Snake in the Eagle?s Shadow. Eventually, he was recognized for his action-comedy genre and began his international career. The Police Story, Karate Kid, and Shanghai Nights are some of his best-known movies. What do you think about the heart-breaking yet breakthrough moment in Chan?s life? Write in the comment section below.